Prison to Promise

Ep. 39 David Gethers: Defying the Odds: Becoming What No one Thought I Would Be

David A. Gethers is the Founder & CEO of David A. Gethers SPEAKS, LLC, and the author of WeakDay Remedies: A Transformational Journal. His signature programs are “Defy the Odds Mentoring Program and WeakDay Remedies: A Cognitive Behavior Journaling Workshop. David’s work has impacted and transformed the life of Justice Impacted citizens, Veterans, and People who need Hope.Today, David uses his story of TRAGEDY, TRANSFORMATION, and TRIUMP to empower, encourage and enrich diverse audiences across various platforms. He speaks about Life Transformation, Leadership, Decision Making, Overcoming Adversity, Intentional Success, and more.Listen in as David impacts and transforms your life!

Ep. 38 Brian Scott: Rediscovery

Brian was released from a North Carolina prison in February of 2021 after twenty years of incarceration. One year later, he led a group of formerly incarcerated men to launch OurJourney. This statewide nonprofit organization exists to help make the transition from prison to freedom easier and more successful for those who will rejoin our communities. In just ten months, OurJourney has developed partnerships with the Department of Public Safety, other public agencies, and reentry specialists in counties all across this state, including most recently with the Buncombe County Reentry Council, with the ultimate goal of assisting all 17,000-plus men and women who return each year from our state correctional facilities.www.ourjourney2gether.comFacebook: OurJourneyNC

Ep. 37 Eddie Fordham: Kidviction: A Teenager’s Journey from Prison to Purpose

Eddie was barely 18 when he entered prison. While incarcerated, he started working toward an AA degree, held a 4.0 GPA on the Dean's List, and became Miami Dade College's first system-impacted student to receive an Academic Excellence Award. He was inducted into the National Honor Society for Leadership and Success. He is the longest-serving Senior Counselor of The Dr. Regina B. Shearn Corrections Transition Program, having helped hundreds of "Lifers" prepare for parole. Eddie served 31 years, two months, and eight days for a murder another teen admitted to committing. Instead of becoming bitter, he became better and found purpose even amid trial and tribulation. After receiving an emergency release from prison in mid-2022, he has already been a speaker for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Boys and Girls Club, and Crossover Church in Tampa. Eddie recently shared his message "Choose Your Friends Wisely" with over 200 youth at the Florida Office of the Attorney General's National Conference on Preventing Crime—the same office of the prosecution that sent him to prison three decades ago. Please join me as we dive right into Eddie's story.

Ep. 36 Anthony Michael Jefferson: The Bumpy Road Less Traveled

Anthony Michael Jefferson’s family arrived in Hermosa Beach, California, from Trinidad and Tobago in 1968 when he was just a young boy. Growing up in the 70s, just after the Watts Riots in LA, there was a lot of cocaine around. As a young man, he got involved in dealing drugs with some very dangerous people. He soon had the money and the nice things he wanted, but it never felt like enough. His biggest regret is not having the courage to ask for help, not from his Mom or sister; his ambition blinded him. At 28 years old, he was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to 25 years to life. Anthony says: “At my trial, the judge told me there was hope; I would hang onto those words for the next 23 years.”

Ep. 35 Drew Doll: It Takes a Lifetime to Make a Saint

In this episode, I'm joined by Drew Doll, who served four years in prison. Drew talks about why he got sent to prison, his long talk with himself while in prison, and his decision to change his trajectory. Today Drew works for the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham [North Carolina], providing reentry assistance to people returning to the community after incarceration.

Ep. 34 Sharif Brown.: BLESSED to Make it Out

On this episode, I am joined by Brother Sharif Brown. Sharif was born and raised in Queens, NY. He is the youngest of nineteen children. Sharif discusses his work as the Program Manager for North Carolina State Reentry [where they provide post-release services to incarcerated people] and the impact his family and faith have on who he is in his personal and professional life.

Ep. 33 Patrice Sulton: Rebellion: Rethinking the Rules

Check out the latest episode of the Prison to Promise podcast with Attorney Patrice Sulton as she talks about the law, policy reform, and criminal justice matters.

Ep. 32 Kardell Simms: Outgrow What You Were Born Into

Kardell overcame poverty, gangs, and prison to become a National speaker, 6x author, master-certified empowerment coach, host of The Re-Entry Journey Podcast, and business owner.After doing state and federal time, Kardell walked out of prison with a blueprint, a plan he put together while incarcerated. Kardell describes his journey as that of an Inmate to an Inspiration. Tune in as Kardell and I chop-it-up, and he shares valuable information he learned and applied to free himself from self-desruction.

Ep. 31 Joseph Kajy: If I Hide my Story I Hide God’s Glory

When Joseph Kajy took opioids for the first time at 15, he thought he had found his life’s calling. From there, his world altered into a grim whirlwind familiar to many people addicted to drugs. He woke up every morning with either one of two questions on his mind: How will I get money for drugs?When will I do drugs? Behind him, he left a trail of destruction that included 37 felonies, two prison sentences, cut family ties, and a rock bottom where suicide seemed like the final solution.Today, Joseph has over 5 years of sobriety under his belt. He is a husband, father, and Founder of Top Fence, a residential and commercial fencing contractor currently generating over 4 Million dollars in sales. He is now on a life mission to share his story as a way to give hope and inspiration to anyone who feels they have demons in their closet and monsters still under the bed.It takes courage, strength, and belief in oneself to escape from the trenches of drug addiction.

Ep. 30 Portia Louder: A Compassionate Journey Through Federal Prison: A Powerful Woman Speaking the Truth

Portia Louder is a formerly incarcerated writer, speaker, photographer, and advocate. Please join Portia and me as she discusses her journey from a life of privilege to serving time in Federal prison. While in prison, Portia describes gaining a greater sense of her self-worth and purpose on earth, and the critical role compassion, grit, and recovery have in helping her [and other incarcerated women] become better versions of the person they were before incarceration.