💬 My Journey Through Re-entry, Resilience, and Redemption

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My path into understanding re-entry and recidivism began at just 13 years old, the day my uncle received a 15-year sentence for armed robbery. I still remember stepping into a prison visiting room for the first time—watching families gather around vending machines, sharing meals, playing board games. I looked around at the faces of the incarcerated and wondered: Why were they here? When would they come home?

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Both my father and brother spent over a decade in and out of prison. I met my father for the first time at 13. I often asked myself, What could I have done to help them stay out and be with me? But as a child, I couldn’t fully grasp the trauma and circumstances that led them down that path. I only knew I wanted them home.

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As a former foster youth, I understand the isolation of institutionalization—the longing to be seen, heard, loved, and cared for. At 24, I faced my reckoning and was incarcerated for a short time, and at that moment, I told myself: This is not the life I want for me or my daughter.

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Raised in a low-income urban community, I faced challenges that began early. I entered foster care at 14, never really knew my father, was placed in special education, became homeless at 18, and couldn’t read until I was 14. According to society, I was destined to become another statistic. But I chose to defy that narrative.

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Breaking generational cycles for my daughter wasn’t easy. There were moments I wanted to give up. But every time I looked into her eyes, I remembered: While I’ve made mistakes, she is not one of them. She became my reason to push through adversity.

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Her presence fueled my drive to reclaim my education. I earned a BA in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Education. Now, she’s preparing to graduate from Temple University in May 2026 and will begin law school that fall.

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❤️ At EmancipateME, I take pride in helping individuals who are system-impacted find their footing. With care, compassion, and a commitment to change, we stand beside you as you find your way forward.