Prison to Promise

Ep. 24 Daniel Justiniano: Communal Connections: Making a Difference

After his family spent all their money on a defense lawyer, Daniel Justiniano was sentenced to a 16-year prison sentence at 19. However, because of the unity of his community, he won an appeal and gave back three-quarters of his original sentence. As a result, he was released from prison after four years.Today Daniel is the co-founder of ConConnect, where he works as the Director of Operations. At ConConnect, a part of their mission is to help connect returning citizens and justice-impacted people to employment and services and lowering recidivism rates. I invite you to tune into this rich discussion.

Ep. 23 Tabari Zahir: Educate, Rejuvenate, Illuminate

While incarcerated, Tabari Zahir passionately worked within the federal prison system, helping to promote various educational initiatives amongst incarcerated people, such as life skills services, personal coaching, and secular and spiritual curriculums. In addition, Zahir helped to operationalize these curriculums by personally teaching while at the same time working with chaplains and program directors. He continues similar work today, counseling the formerly-incarcerated population and facilitating their societal success by connecting them to varied reentry services. In addition, he is a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT-CA) in California.In 2019, Zahir entered a Master’s of social work program to professionalize his advocacy work amongst the justice-impacted. He has also published his Master’s thesis entitled: “Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recidivism: Perceptions of Key Justice Stakeholders in Southern California.”Today, Zahir is a registered associate clinical social worker (ACSW) and intends to continue working with the justice-impacted population as a mental health and substance abuse professional.The story of Zahir’s journey is inspirational and a true reflection of what it means to go from prison to promise. You don’t want to miss it. 

Ep. 22 Carlos Christian: Turn the Penitentary on its Head and Stand the Community on its Feet

Carlos Christian served a 10-year prison sentence. He was in prison between the ages of 19 to 29 years old; He has been out for 11 years. Under Carlos' leadership as the president and founder of The Starts Within Organization, he is on a mission to show incarcerated people what they can become if they are willing to put in the work on developing themselves and restoring the community by restoring the family structure!Carlos' story of redemption and defying the odds has been the main ingredient he uses to inspire others, especially people with criminal backgrounds, to reach deeper and strive to elevate to a higher level within themselves and to know it is up to the individual; it Starts Within!

Ep. 21 Sean Oliver: Decisions Like Doors Take You Places

Sean was released from prison after serving 27 years. Freedom has provided new opportunities for Sean to continue his mission to help others. He works as an At-Risk Youth Supervisor at Jail to Jobs, an organization dedicated to helping youthful offenders through counseling and connecting them with quality, full-time employment.

Ep. 20 Halim Flowers: Transcendence of Adversity

In 1997, as a minor, Halim Flowers was arrested and wrongfully sentenced to two life sentences in Washington, DC. His experiences aired on HBO in the Emmy award-winning documentary Thug Life in DC;  In 2019, he got out of prison under a new juvenile lifer resentencing law. Halim describes himself as "a manufacturer of culture." For two decades, Halim forged and galvanized his skills and talents as a visual artist, spoken word performer, businessman, and author of 11 published non-fiction works in the pressure cooker of prison.In this episode, Halim and I talk about how, despite being handed two life sentences, he leaned into his humanity, transcended prison and its expectations, and developed the audacity to have hope and the will and desire to fight to reclaim his life.This episode is a must-listen to episode. 

Ep. 19 Brandon Robinson: Perseverence

After serving a 15-year sentence, Brandon cultivated his mind to help him rise above the social stigma and expectations of someone who spent time in prison. Today Brandon heads an organization that helps youth at risk of becoming involved in the criminal legal system. He is also a leader in getting his state (Rhode Island) to end the practice of long-term solitary confinement in its prisons.

Ep. 18 [Helen] Skip Skipper: For There is Always Light

If you are unsure if you can recover from drugs, alcohol, and the cycle of incarceration, you need to tune in and listen to [Helen] Skip Skipper's story. Skip shares how, from the age of 18 until the age of 40, she spent many years hustling and going in and out of jail [what she calls the rinse and repeat cycles] before recovering from addiction and mental health challenges, to using her lived experience to help others who've traveled similar paths. 

Ep. 17 Alim Cepeda: Shedding the Gangster Image

Alim spent many years of his youth in detention and his 20s in prison. Since his release from prison, Alim has set his sights on using his experience and lessons learned to enrich his community and educate the children. Alim is an experienced engagement specialist with a demonstrated history of working as an Administrative Assistant in the non-profit organization management industry. In addition, he is a seasoned Gang Specialist skilled in Customer Service, problem-solving, conflict resolution, canvassing, and Leadership Development.

Ep. 16 LaMont Joe: From Prison Walls to University Campuses

Mr. LaMont Joe said he jumped off the porch and took off running at a young age to pursue a street lifestyle, eventually becoming a D-Boy actively. However, school and the classroom experience were something he always valued throughout his life. After four felony convictions, terms of incarceration, and surviving three gunshots, LaMont left the streets, returned to school, and earned a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Today he works as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Winston-Salem, NC. Please listen to Mr. Joe discuss his journey from behind prison walls to university campuses.https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamont-joe-63861b50/

Ep. 15 Louis L. Reed: Breakdowns Lead to Breakthroughs

Louis L. Reed is a Senior Advisor for the REFORM Alliance. He has years of experience in government, criminal justice expertise, policy advocacy, public health, and personal impact. He served nearly 14 years in federal prison and several years on supervision.Louis is a board-certified addictions counselor and licensed alcohol & addictions practitioner. Louis' history also includes serving as the Director of National Organizing & Partnerships for Dream Corps JUSTICE (formerly #cut50), where he grew the nation’s largest bi-partisan grassroots advocacy and organizing coalition through the Empathy Network. In addition, Louis conceptualized and served as Director of the Mayor’s Office for Reentry Affairs in the City of Bridgeport, CT.  There, he led services for all persons impacted by the criminal justice system, both incarcerated and returning to the City after incarceration.His policy reform experience includes leading advocacy for the historic First Step Act and working with the Connecticut legislature for the successful enactment of legislation related to expanding access to licenses for people living with criminal records, limiting asset forfeiture practices by law enforcement, and strengthening reentry practices and services for people returning from prison.