Credible Messenger Justice Center
Nominated by Rev. Angelita Clifton of the Criminal Justice Ministry of the Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, NJ
Ibrahim Sulaimani, the proud husband of Nafeesah Goldsmith-Sulaimani and father of Na’Sara Sulaimani, is a former juvenile lifer who served 30 years in prison. In 1988, at the age of 15, he was incarcerated, underwent a mandatory waiver hearing where he was waived to the adult trial system and was found guilty of felony murder by a jury that was not made of his peers.
He was sentenced with 30 years to life of which a served 30 years. While incarcerated he dedicated his life to education, to raising children’s awareness about prison life, and fighting for the rights of incarcerated people. Prior to being released from prison, he earned an Associate Degree in Humanties through the NJ Scholarship and Transformative Education In Prison Consortium (NJ-STEP) program. Upon release in 2018, he kept to form and continued fighting for the rights of prisoners, prison transparency, and Youth Justice.
Ibrahim Co-founded the Transformative Justice Initiative and Meet’em At The Gate both of which were dedicated to creating better spaces and advancing the position of those still and formerly incarcerated.
He would eventually co-found the 501c3, Youth Function Over Form, with his wife Nafeesah and brother Lawrence Sabir Bell. Ibrahim is a member of various organizations and has also testified before State Senate on a bills, such as those to remove the Prohibition of voting by those on parole and probation, for Health Emergency Credits during Covid, body cams for Corrections Officers, the Dignity Act, and Restorative and Transitional Youth Justice Hubs.
Nominated by Anwar Whiting of the Department of Corrections in Maine
Lacedrick Eirby, commonly referred to as Drett Eirby has been creating music that positively influences young people who need to understand the realness of life over the past twelve years. Now that he has the opportunity to work directly with young people, Drett has put all his energy into helping them navigate system involvement and everyday situations. Throughout this time, he has been encouraged by the positive changes in the youth’s lives so much that Drett recent enrolled in college to be of better support to his my community.
Nominated by Deborah Daniels of the Offender Alumni Association in Savannah, GA
Out of prison, into the fire, back to prison. Julius Campbell believes it doesn’t have to be this way. Julius spent over a quarter of a century in the Georgia prison system before his recent release. After 26 years of incarceration, Julius returned home a better rather than bitter man. In his work, Julius shares invaluable insights into the causes of recidivism and what we the people — as individuals and as communities — can do about it. His transformation while in the criminal justice system was driven by his earnest desire for rehabilitation and his faith. During his time in prison he pursued higher education, graduating from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry. In addition, Julius added a host of necessary skill to his tool belt, such as mentoring, compassionate coaching, and motivational speaking. Since his release he has joined the Offenders Alumni Association family where he is now the director and programs manager of the Savannah branch. Continuing in his passion of encouraging, educating, and empowering others, Julius reminds us that though we may start out wrong-we can still finish strong.
Nominated by Arthur “Art” Powell of the Offender Alumni Association in Atlanta, GA
Dominique “Treu” Harris is a credible messenger, inspiring journalist and community activist, with a personal philosophy that promotes community development and community succession. Through lived experiences and innate interest, Dominique projects his passion through his mentoring, writing, and art, the subsequent result is the voiceless tone of a community that become amplified by Dominique’s interpretation of social factors. In hopes of a becoming a more vocal and impactful member of society, Dominique strides to strengthen his public speaking skills and mentorship capacity so his impact will not only be reflective of his community, but also award the ability to articulate issues in a way that they can be understood from several layers of language and culture.
For 25 years, driven by the stories shared by her former clients, their families, and her system-impacted colleagues and friends, Lily has worked on criminal and juvenile justice issues in a range of roles across community-based organizations, academia, and government. In her current role as Policy Counsel in the David Rothenberg Center at the Fortune Society Lily advocates for system reform while supporting direct services to keep people out of jail and prison. Prior to joining Fortune, she served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner at the NYC Department of Probation. She previously taught in the Lawyering Program at NYU School of Law where she was also a Research Fellow in the Center for Research in Crime and Justice, and also represented thousands of youth and adults at the Bronx Defenders and as an E. Barrett Prettyman Fellow in the Juvenile Justice Clinic at Georgetown Law Center. A native New Yorker, she is a graduate of Harvard College and NYU School of Law where she was a Soros Justice Fellow.
Daniel Osorio was Born and raised in the Andrew Jackson Houses of the South Bronx area of New York City. Son of a Newyorican mother and Cuban immigrant (Marielito) father. And identify as Afro-latino (Black American)
Has worked in the Nonprofit field since 2007 areas include Mental Health, Substance abuse, Youth Development and both Homless divisions HPD and DHS. As well worked as Director of Communications and Deputy Outreach committee Chairman for the 16th District City Council Candidate Ahmadou T. Diallo 2021. Has devoted many of years in Human services as well as been an active activist fighting for food insecurities, Youth preventative incarceration, And pushing for policy change within our criminal justice system.
In 2016 I was hired as Director of Projects for Neighborhood Benches Inc. And in 2021 was appointed as The Interim Exec.Director of our Company.
Daniel is a graduate of The New School University (ITM) Institute for Transformative Mentoring (G9) Cohort and received an credentials as a Certified CREDIBLE MESSENGER. And received a Congressional Recognition Award from The United States Congress House of Representatives 2021.
He is Married with 3 children. He says he will continue to service his community day by day until we get it right.
Hardworking, spiritual, inspiring and a positive example of successfulness after incarceration, Dena is a Program Director with the Offender Alumni Association, a Birmingham, AL nonprofit that works to create a network of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals who inspire each other to reduce recidivism, develop healthy relationships within their communities, and provide opportunities for social, economic, and civic empowerment.
She works tireless to erase the barriers for those experiencing homelessness, youth and families that are dealing with trauma and juvenile justice, those that are experiencing mental health and substance use crisis, and creating navigating systems for those previously incarcerated individuals, a true advocate at heart, that keeps her boots on the ground.
Dena believes, “there is much work to be done in the trenches.”
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
I was a single parent to both my children and my siblings at the confused age of 21yrs old inheriting the responsibility of raising 10 children after the subsequent death of my parents from A.I.D.S. Alone with no guidance and involved in criminal activities I was lost. However, on this journey of self-love I found individuals willing to walk with me on my newfound journey of freedom. Unfortunately, due to my example one of my sons got 10 yrs. for Armed Robbery, it was during his time of incarceration I began to change my path and started on a journey to help myself/ people lost with no guidance as I once was. Going from a GED to an MSW.
My nonprofit organization Motivational Social Services mission is to reach and teach the unreachable as society may label them. We strive to help by providing reentry services, housing referrals, family engagement services, youth/adult mentorship for both men/women and children. I am a loving, caring, giving, and hardworking woman now on a mission to help one individual at a time. I have hope for the hopeless.
Currently, I am a Southeast Credible Messenger Family Engagement/ Life Coach/ Mentor located in Atlanta, GA. I’ve facilitated youth groups for the City of Atlanta (Parks and Recreations) and Fulton County Juvenile Court. I’m also a facilitator and the Family Engagement Specialist for our adult mentee group, ACES (Adults Committed to Empowerment and Success) at the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta. I have had the pleasure of working with several awesome organizations with PSN (Project safe neighborhoods) through the US Attorney’s office of NDGA. They include OAA (Offender Alumni Association, Egress Consultants and Services, Mother Against Gang Violence, Freedom is A choice, Four Forty trucking, Jump Forward and City of Refuge. All these organizations are focused on the betterment of youth and Adults.
Karlton Harris grew up in a single-parent home on the south-side of Chicago and was influenced greatly by lessons learned on the streets. At the age of 2, Karlton lost what most sons need the most, his dad. Because of the lack of a male role model or “father figure”, he headed down the wrong path. He shot his first gun at the young age of 8 and became a dedicated gang member at 10 years old. Karlton joined one of Chicago’s notorious street gangs, the Conservative Vice Lords. He resided in Roseland, a neighborhood predominantly saturated by the opposing gang. This led to Karlton engaging daily in gang fights. Fist fights eventually led to shoot-outs and all out gang wars. His gang activity also included stealing cars, sealing drugs, and unlawfully possessing guns.
Karlton first encountered the criminal justice system in his senior year of high school, when he was caught driving a stolen car. He received probation for this offense which resulted in his life quickly spiraling out of control. Although Karlton was involved in criminal activity, education was his outlet. He was ranked in the top 10% of his high school senior class. However; due to his heavy gang involvement; Karlton decided to drop out one semester prior to graduating. He became a full time drug dealer. At the age of 18, Karlton was arrested for selling and distributing a controlled substance to an under-cover agent. He was later found guilty of this charge and sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. While in prison he and other drug dealers discussed the details of their arrest in hopes of developing an arrest proof plan. Within months of being released from prison on house arrest, Karlton implemented “the plan”. This didn’t last for long, within 3 months of his release, Karlton was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and armed violence. In 1995, he was sentenced to 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Karlton was determined not to spend his second incarceration as he did his first. Instead of counting the days, he decided to make the days count. This time around he renounced his gang affiliation and enrolled in college. He successfully completed his first two years and obtained his associates degree.
My name is Lisa Guss, I have two sons. Seven grands and one great grandson. I am an example of a successful second chance. I responded to God’s voice while incarcerated and subsequently to serve, my time in prison as his servant.
I completed mentor training and ministry training. Prior to my release, my serving in various capacity, as I continue to look forward. God’s faithful saw me through an early release after doing 25 years. I was sentenced to 99 years In Texas Department of Corrections. I still serve people I have become a Peer Specialist, Credible Messenger. Evangelist, and a Mentor for Prison Ministry.
I work at Impact Family Counseling as Reentry Case Manager for U Turn. I am now a Case Manager for the PROVE program Is Parents Reaching Opportunity through Vocation Education. I work part time for Offender Alumni Association which I volunteer for six years. I am Family Engagement Specialist and a Credible Messenger.
My desire is for others to come behind me and live a productive life and to become Credible Messengers to bring hope, help, and healing to our families, communities which we once destroyed. My saying I am a Messenger not only gospel but what is needed to bring life to a once dead situation.
Mr. Ladji Ruffin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Authentic Braille Masters, LLC, an international company specializing in transcribing print textbooks into Braille for individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment.
Mr. Ruffin began his journey of developing an entrepreneurial mindset after reading the book, “Think Outside the Cell: An Entrepreneur’s Guide for the Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated,” by Joseph Robinson while serving a life sentence in prison.
He was so inspired by the information contained in the book, Mr. Ruffin began the process of reinventing himself by reading self-help and finance books and shoring up his skill set: public speaking and facilitating classes on entrepreneurship, learning to bake, barber and even read and transcribe textbooks for the visually impaired in Braille.
His exceptional strides in personal development led him to be selected among the few incarcerated persons to go into the Governor’s Mansion Detail, where he worked around Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal. Mr. Ruffin worked at the Governor Mansion for a year, and after 23 years of incarceration, he was granted parole.
With the array of skills that he learned while in prison he was able to launch his own company, thus giving him a huge advantage in his reintegration journey.
Mr. Ruffin is also a Certified Peer Specialist-Mental Health, Certified Peer Specialist-Addictive Diseases, National Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, and Certified Peer Specialist-Whole Health. As a young teenager, he suffered from mental health illness and recovered from this illness. The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network hired Mr. Ruffin as a Forensic Peer Mentor. He now works at Metro Reentry Facility with the Mental Health Department, offering peer support to men making a transition out of prison. Mr. Ruffin is the Project Manager of the Offender Alumni Association organization. OAA offers peer support and helps restore anyone affected by the criminal justice system.
He travels and teaches across the State of Georgia, speaking to individuals at universities, churches, and prisons, sharing the good news of restoration and hope. He leads a reentry class at Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta, Georgia. He works with the U.S. Attorney Office of Northern District of Georgia, mentoring kids and young adults between the ages of 7 and 25. Mr. Ruffin is currently enrolled at Mercer University, majoring in Criminal Justice Leadership.
Mr. Ruffin is a successful case of a Georgia returning citizen who successfully transitioned from life as an incarcerated individual after twenty-three years to life “on the outside” as a successful business owner, speaker, and Certified Peer Specialist.
He loves spending time with his wife, two grandchildren, daughter, and family.
Keyonn Wright-Sheppard is the Education Coordinator and Youth Program Facilitator for the Institute of Transformative Mentoring at The New School. He is a credible messenger who graduated both ITM’s 1500 and advanced classes. In 2020 Keyonn Co-designed the ‘Youth Self-Care and Empowerment’ and ‘Training of the Trainers’ programs. He has recently been promoted to Education Coordinator and will begin facilitating the 1500 class next semester. Additionally, Keyonn is also the Senior Pastor of the New Beginnings Tabernacle Church of Deliverance in Brooklyn and the Program Director and National Spokesperson for The Citykids Foundation in lower Manhattan. A dedicated mentor he feels his greates role is as husband to Takeesha and father to Typhani (Tiffany), Alesia and Keyonn II
Kevin Holmes born and bred Nyc
Got GED some College.
Got into being a Credible Messenger because I was once a part of the recidivism cycle and I wanted to try to give my input for change. I just wanted to help out. This year has been challenging for me because I work with Health and Hospital Trac and Tracing and getting people to get vaccinated and Covid-19 testing has been trying at times but you have to be patient for progress.
Joy Parrish started working as a Mentor with the Arches program in September 2019, and has remained a Credible Messenger throughout the height of the COVID pandemic up to date. She is a college graduate who completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology & Urban Affairs, and attained her Master’s degree in Public Administration. With the Arches program, she not only is a voice towards anti-gun violence, human justice, & responsible behavior, but Joy also volunteers her services to help people & communities in economic despair. She also works as a Day Program Manager with NYS’s Office of People With Development Disabilities. Joy resides on Staten Island with her young son and mother.
Antonne Henshaw, is a Rutgers Camden School of Criminal Justice Graduate School Student, Executive Director of C.A.N.D.O., Camden African Neighborhood Development Organization, Community Organizer, Founding Member of N.J.S.T.E.P., New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prison Program, Motivational\Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, NuEntry Opportunity Specialist for Camden County, and Credible Messenger. Mr. Henshaw has dedicated himself to eradicating mass incarceration and changing legislation to end the structural violence that threatens the public health of our communities. He is an outspoken advocate against police brutality in and outside of the carceral spaces of New Jersey. He is committed to educating the Community about the machinations of brutality that permeates the carceral state that is disproportionally directed at Black and Brown “Carceral Citizens”.
Amelia Frank is a passionate youth advocate, who has over 20 years of experience empowering young people to positively impact their communities. In her current role as Community Connection For Youth’s Director of Training, Amelia works with community and juvenile justice system stakeholders, both in New York and nationally, to create alternatives to incarceration programming for youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. Her work has led her to create positive youth development programming for young people throughout the South Bronx community, in Horizon Juvenile Detention Center, and Bronx County Family Court. Amelia is also the founder of United Playaz of New York, a youth-led violence prevention program, where she leads a team of mentors to facilitate anti-violence groups in Bronx Public Schools. Before joining CCFY in 2012, Amelia spent eight years as the Academic Intervention Services Coordinator for Banana Kelly High School in the Bronx. Amelia received her B.A. in Child Development from California State University, Chico in 2001 and a Masters in Humanities and Leadership from New College in San Francisco in 2004.
Tiffany Branch, a Bronx native, currently employed with the Department of Probation as the Credible Messenger Justice Center’s Program Coordinator/Community Coordinator. As CMJC Coordinator there are an assortment of professional and personal continued development trainings available for Credible Messengers to assist with the work they are doing with young people who currently have justice involvement, been impacted by the justice system or at are risk due to various factors. As a Credible Messenger herself it is her mission in life to pay it forward.
Possessing a Master’s in Business Administration has afforded Tiffany the opportunity to use her business savvy skills and knowledge in the Human Services/Criminal Justice field valuably. Having the ability to strategize, organize and implement innovative ideas has allowed Tiffany to sustain a career in the field for more than fifteen years. Having served in several roles in the non-profit sector Tiffany built sound relationships, an impeccable resume and an immense network of supporters, affiliates and collaborates.
Tiffany will continue to leave no stone unturned and will continue to give back to society as it her lifelong mission and passion in life.
Teaching and learning is a life-long passion for Dr. Lawan Rickenbacker. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Dr. Rickenbacker works with Disabled Employees, teaches Child Development and is a Mentor for Criminal Justice involved (CJI) Youth. She welcomes and enjoys the reward of knowing that she changes the lives of others through education, with an emphasis on communication. Dr. Rickenbacker is an active member of The American Psychological Association (APA).
Dr. Rickenbacker holds a Bachelors in Human Services, Masters Degree in Public Administration, Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology K-12, and a Doctoral Degree in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Leadership. Dr. Rickenbacker lives in New York.
Crystalie Romero-Smith is a Afro-Latina from the Bronx. Crystalie better known as Leelee is a Youth advocate, community researcher and mentor. As a youth Crystalie was impacted by the juvenile-justice system and found strength in her struggles. Over the years, Crystalie grew a passion for working with young people and inspiring them to flourish to their fullest potential. In 2018, Crystalie became the lead researcher and Co-Arthor of Community Connections For Youth – the G.I.R.L.S N Da Hood Participatory Research project- a two year community based project investigating the relations between gender and incarceration in the Bronx. Inspired by the project, Crystalie and Shaniqua West co-founded Urban Girl Magic, a program which creates space for young women of color to make connections with each other, grow in their leadership skills and ultimately become the best advocates for themselves. Through this experience, Crystalie was able to train stakeholders nationally and internationally on restorative justice and gender specific programming. Some of these areas include Toronto, Charleston.NC, Washington DC, Baltimore and Albany, NY. Currently, Crystalie serves as the Mentor Coordinator for Department Of Probation – Juvenile operations. Crystalie has made it her life’s work and purpose to fight for, uplift and amplify the voices of the people, especially young women of color. Her dream is to one day start a Non-profit organization in her community she grew up in.
Almitra Gasper, is a dedicated community organizer, activist, and training facilitator. She is driven by her passions for health, public-speaking, and community. Raised in the St. Albans community of Jamaica, Queens; Almitra experienced her first encounter with gun violence at 16-years-old. As a young adult, gun violence continued to take many of her friends’ lives. After finishing college and running Music On Myrtle, her own retail music and bookstore in Brooklyn for three years, she felt compelled to return to her native home in St. Albans, Queens to advocate for and improve her community’s physical and economic health. Almitra began speaking publicly on issues of concern for our low-socioeconomic communities through various radio and TV talk shows, as well as panel discussions for various audiences. Working closely with her local community development corporation, Almitra has produced clean-up events, health fairs, and facilitated town-hall style meetings for local residents. Over the past decade, she has continued her education in dispute resolution, multi-dimensional mediation and has worked as a trainer for the NYC Health Department’s violence prevention, racial justice, and mental health first aid initiatives. In 2020, Almitra completed another degree in the Sociology of Urban Conflict.
William M. Evans is the Founder & President of NEIGHBORHOOD BENCHES. NB is a small, grassroots organization devoted to educating young people from communities of color on leadership and good practices that break cycles of youth incarceration and violence NB is designed to enter communities that are difficult to engage and overlooked. our model focuses on developing leaders and practitioners while driving down violence and incarceration. William is a Restorative Justice Practitioner who specializes in Strategic Urban Leadership Development (SULD) and three levels of healing (Individual, Neighborhood, Community) to transform systems of impacted individuals into people that model changed behaviors and work to intentionally rebuild communities of color. William is skilled in identifying leaders and using practice-based evidence to design programs that transform communities and make leaders socially conscious.
William is 1 of the 34 talented winners (from 2,574 applications within 161 countries) for the 2019 Echoing Green Fellowship working to scale Neighborhood Benches work. William is also the Co-Director at The Institute for Transformative Mentoring, Board Member at New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Public Allies NY, Co-founder of Never Be Caged and member of Restorative Roots Collaborative and will be continuing his PhD studies at The New School.
Ms. Bain is Founder and Executive Director of Women Against Mass Incarceration, Inc, a grassroots nonprofit, organization empowering, enriching and educating justice involved women and girls. to serve as students, peer mentors and advocates for women’s rights. Tiheba is an organizer and who welcomes the opportunity to give back and be a change agent for others. Tiheba is a Formerly Incarcerated Professional assisting with sustainable reentry for women, reforming education in prison and advocating for the rights of those incarcerated and formerly incarcerated. She is a public speaker who played an integral role in passing legislation SB13 for the dignity of incarcerated women and girls in the State of Connecticut in 2018. Ms. Bain sits on Lt. Governor Women’s Commission of Health and Safety and the African American sub commission of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity. Tiheba also participated on the State Collateral Consequences Task Force. In the past she sat on the mass incarceration sub-committee for Governor Ned Lamont’s Transitional Policy committee. She is also an ACLUCT Smart Justice Alumni who helped introduced the antidiscrimination act. She also held press conferences with former Governor Daniel Malloy, and state Representative Robyn Porter. She supported legislation in Albany, NY for Ban the Box and return of PELL and TAP for incarcerated people As a public speaker she held the stage at Columbia University, Yale University, UCONN, John Jay College, the CT Public Defender National Conference and at IMRP Annual Building Bridges Conference and co-hosted the first three annual FreeHer conferences. While obtaining her dual undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women in Criminal Justice from the CUNY Baccalaureate Interdisciplinary and Unique studies program, she co-wrote a chapter of the book Race Education and Reintegration. Ms. Bain also is an alumni of Heyman Center for Humanities Justice-in-Education Scholar program, at Columbia University. Recently Ms. Bain was inducted into the CT Hall of Change for her exemplary work in Connecticut where she now calls home. Ms. Bain. belief is “transformative power of higher education, supportive methods and encouragement for justice involved people is the key to successful reentry.”
Former Leader of what was once Miami’s biggest street gang, Coach Ruben Saldaña now heads Ru Camp, the only youth crime prevention program in the world that trains youth in MMA & Afro-Latin Breakdancing, For Free, Outside and they compete at the highest levels. Based in Orlando, Florida & Uganda, Africa Ru Camp is still running with no government funding or big corporate sponsors. Grassroots at its best with amazing coaches and results…
David Muhammad is the Deputy Director of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Milwaukee County. David is a deeply committed community leader who has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for families and young people in our community. At DHHS, he has worked to advance racial equity in contracting efforts and youth justice innovation strategies.
Before joining Milwaukee County, he served as the Program Manager for the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention. His important work has had a lasting impact on community health and public safety. He expanded the County’s Trauma Response Team Partnership, developed 414Life, a violence interruption program staffed by credible messengers, and oversaw community engagement for the “Blueprint For Peace,” the city’s first violence prevention framework. His work has been nationally recognized and presented at the Healing Justice Alliance Conference in Denver, Colorado and at numerous institutions, media, and public forums.
David channeled his passion for art and music into his professional roles at various civic-minded organizations around Milwaukee, developing creative and engaging curriculum and program designs to reach young people from a place of authenticity. He has worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, and Our Next Generation. David has been recognized for his work by 500 Black Tuxedos, “Man of Distinction”, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Government Excellence Award, Active Elements Foundation, “25 Activists Under 25 Who Can Change the World”, and the National Council of La Raza/U.S. Marine Corps, Youth Leadership Award. David holds a B.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and was a member of the Latino Non-Profit Leadership Class at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Fueled by his experiences in the streets, Armand co-founded Paving Great Futures and now works to guide others out of the systemic prison pipeline. As a young man, Armand was misguided by the streets and, in turn, misguided others, blind to the detriment of his actions. His life mission now is detouring individuals from the many socio-economic pitfalls faced by the underserved communities in San Diego. Armand’s experience includes 8 years of creating and implementing new programs serving former gang members, criminal justice impacted, and high-risk youth. He serves on San Diego’s County’s Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board as well as the Human Sex Trafficking sub-Committee of the San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention. Armand has over 20 years of experience working with individuals impacted by HST. He conducts public speaking and HST training throughout the US, including for law enforcement agencies. Armand will be responsible for overall HST program oversight, meeting regularly with staff to ensure effective program implementation and monitoring progress towards program goals. Armand will also lead all training sessions on HST survivor identification and protocols with project staff and partners.
Monique Ferguson-Riley is the Founder and CEO of Freedom Youth LLC, Freedom Youth Family Justice Center and the President of the Bronx Arc of Justice. Monique is the Proud mother of 5 children and the wife of Joseph Riley. Monique Ferguson-Riley obtain a bachelor’s degree in ministry and leadership at Bethel University; in her final semester Monique realized that her experiences in life could be used to help vulnerable girls and boys by sharing awareness and prevention on the topic of human trafficking and commercial and sexual exploitation of children. She wishes to be a voice for those who have been sexually assaulted and create a space for them to heal and grow into survivors that will learn to advocate for their rights and the rights of others. On January 22, 2019 Monique set out to form Freedom Youth LLC which provides an array of services for youth ages 12-24 such as victim services, healing through the arts, art advocacy, tween2teen outreach, training and support groups for youth. Monique’s focus and goals for Freedom Youth LLC is to create a place and environment that will be a one stop shop for all youth to embrace and to feel safe in a place where they can learn about the issues that plague their communities and become agents of change.
Hernán Carvente Martinez is the founder and CEO of Healing Ninjas, Inc., a health, and wellness company using technology to build and deepen community between people on their respective healing journeys. A Chicano social entrepreneur, community organizer, and leader in the fight to end youth incarceration, he serves as the National Youth Partnership Strategist at the Youth First Initiative, a national campaign focused on closing youth prisons and reinvesting savings into community alternatives.
He is also an advisor to the Credible Messenger Justice Center, serves on the board of Community Connection for Youth, and is a member of several philanthropic funds that support the leadership of directly impacted communities. Previously, he worked as a Program Analyst at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he worked to ensure that youth and families were included in state-wide policy reform efforts around the country. He was awarded the “Spirit of Youth Award” by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the “Next Generation Champion for Change” award by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He is also a 2021 Reebok Human Rights Award winner.
Rev. Maurice Winley is Founder and Executive Director of Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub, a community-based initiative launched in 2017 in Central and West Harlem funded through the Manhattan District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Initiative in affiliation with The City College of New York (CCNY) and is housed at the Soul Saving Station For Every Nation. Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub provides one-stop, comprehensive support for justice impacted youth and young adults, specifically African American and Latino males aged 10-24 to prevent them from becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The Mission of Living Redemption Youth Opportunity Hub is Saving Lives and Healing Communities One Relationship at a Time. Maurice also serves on staff with Navigators I:58 in Harlem, NY.
Dr. Mika’il DeVeaux received his Ph.D. in Social Welfare at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. His dissertation, Fitting-In: How formerly incarcerated New York City Black Men Define Success Post-Incarceration, won the 2018 Society for Social Work Research Most Distinguished Dissertation Award Honorable Mention. Dr. DeVeaux is Co-Founder and Executive of Citizens Against Recidivism, Inc. He has taught at numerous CUNY campuses including York College, City College of Technology, Medgar Evers College, and the Silberman School of Social Work. He currently holds a faculty appointment at Nassau Community College. Dr. DeVeaux received a Soros Justice Fellowship for advocacy that focused on policy and program development within the Muslim community around criminal justice and re-entry issues.
Clinton Lacey was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser as the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) in 2015. Before joining DYRS, Clinton had more than 25 years of experience working with youth and families – 19 of which have been focused in the field of juvenile and criminal justice.
Clinton joined the New York City Department of Probation as the Deputy Commissioner for adult operations in 2011. In June of 2006, Clinton held a project manager position at the W. Haywood Burns Institute, working in several jurisdictions around the nation with stakeholders engaged in the Institute’s process of addressing racial disparities in local juvenile justice systems. Clinton also served as the director of the Youth Justice Program at Vera Institute of Justice, where he oversaw a technical assistance project focused on the reform of New York State’s juvenile justice policies.
From 1992 to 2004, Clinton operated as the Associate Executive Director of Friends of Island Academy, developing and managing services for 16 to 24-year-olds involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems of New York City. Clinton is an experienced trainer, facilitator and keynote speaker on such issues as DMC, racial and ethnic disparity, transitional discharge planning, comprehensive re-entry services, gang intervention strategies and overall youth and human development. Clinton has a B.A. in Latin American and Caribbean History from Herbert H. Lehman College (City University of New York) and is a graduate of the Institute for Not-for-Profit Management at Columbia University.
Gineen A. Gray is the Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Operations for the New York City Department of Probation (DOP) where she has worked with young people and their families for over 26 years. Ms. Gray oversees all agency policies, practices, and day-to-day operations for young people (ages 7 to 16) served by DOP. Ms. Gray is devoted to exploring, developing, and implementing innovative reforms and programs that promote the well-being of children and families, and that prevent children from deeper system involvement.
As Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Gray has supported DOP’s goal to infuse the credible messenger approach in youth-based programming and services. Since 2014, she has also expanded the role of credible messengers to engage and support the parents and families of young people. Ms. Gray’s vision is to continue building substantial opportunities for credible messengers to support NYC young people.
Ms. Gray holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Lincoln University and a Masters in Urban Affairs at Queens College, City University of New York.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
In 1998, at just 23 years old, Rachel Lloyd founded Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) at her kitchen table with $30 and a borrowed computer. She was driven by the lack of services for commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked girls and young women and the incredible stigma and punishment they faced from service providers, law enforcement, the courts, their families and society.
Nineteen years later, her indelible impact on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking has helped shift the perception of trafficked girls from criminals to victims and now to survivors and leaders. GEMS is now the largest service provider of its kind in the nation providing intensive services and support to over 450 girls and young women, preventive outreach and education to 1,500 youth, and training over 1,300 professionals each year.
Rachel is well-known for her tireless dedication to ‘her girls’ and has impacted thousands of individual lives through her love and commitment, but she is also passionate about changing public perception and policy. Her courageous advocacy ensured the passage of New York State’s Safe Harbour for Sexually Exploited Children Act, which in 2008 became the first law in the nation to protect and not punish trafficked and exploited youth. Since then 13 other states have followed suit.
She co-produced the ground-breaking Showtime documentary Very Young Girls, which has been seen by over 4 million people and created a national dialogue on the issue. Rachel is also the author of the critically acclaimed Girls Like Us, and has used her unique voice to advocate for survivors at the White House, the United Nations, and before Congress.
Nationally recognized for her innovative work in transforming the movement’s understanding of survivor leadership, she continues to pave the way for survivor leaders across the country. She was honored as one of the “50 Women Who Change the World” by Ms. Magazine and recognized with a Reebok Human Rights Award. She was also a recipient of a 2009 Ashoka Fellowship, the Frederick Douglass Award from the North Star Fund, and the Susan B. Anthony Award from the National Organization for Women, among many other accolades.
Rachel received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College and her Master’s in Applied Urban Anthropology from the City College of New York
Christina “Krea” Gomez return to the Young Women’s Freedom Center two years ago to become the the Advocacy & Organizing Director. She recently served as Dean of Students and School Culture at the North Oakland Community Charter School (NOCCS) for the past 7 years . Prior to working at NOCCS, she was the Western & Southern Regional Program Manager for the Community Justice Network for Youth (CJNY) a program of the W. Haywood Burns Institute, whose core purpose is to protect and improve the lives of youth of color, poor children and their communities by ensuring fairness and equity throughout all public and private youth serving systems. While at CJNY she provided organizational and technical support to non-profit organizations and justice administrators all over the country as well as as trained hundreds in various skills to empower and engage system involved youth.
Krea was the first young women to complete the Young Women’s Freedom Center program 26 years ago. She has over 20 years experience in youth development, community organizing, restorative justice and program management. She is a co-founders of the Families In Transition Program, of the San Francisco Unified School District and recipient of the 2015 Teachers 4 Social Justice Award.
Photographers Include:
Rev. Maurice D. Winley is CCFY’s Director of Credible Messenger Mentoring and oversees the 4As Program. He is a third-generation minister who carries on the legacy of his family. He has been active as a youth development specialist with 20 years of experience working with youth and families. He has worked with the full spectrum of youth in various systems, and settings. As a sought-after consultant on youth initiatives with various community based organizations, in the Greater New York City area, Rev. Winley founded R.E.A.L Solutions for Youth, an activist consultancy, providing real, effective, authentic, and livable solutions that are youth centered, family focused, and community driven. Mr. Winley has worked with several national and international faith based organizations such as Worldvision, Youth for Christ, Navigators, has served a term as Vice President of the National Chaplains Association for Youth at Risk, and most recently was the Chaplain and Director of Positive Youth Development for St. Christopher’s Inc, an adolescent residential treatment facility serving NYC youth, located in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Rev. Winley is currently engaged with the Manhattan District Attorney Gun Stop Offender Forum, and with the NYPD new Collaborative Policing Division’s Operation Ceasefire Initiative. Rev. Winley currently serves as an Associate Minister, at the Soul Saving Station, a community church, which has been serving the children, youth and families of Harlem, N.Y., since 1942 and is a Board member of the 125th St. Business Improvement District. Rev. Winley has the privilege of serving both as a Project Director for ARCHES and NEXT STEPS in Harlem in conjunction with Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc. and has emerged as a thought leader in the implementation of Transformative Mentoring. Rev. Winley’s program was recognized by the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity as the High Performing Provider for his implementation of ARCHES for 2013. In addition Rev. Winley successfully applied to become an affiliate of John Jay College Pinkerton Graduate Research Fellowship and his program received Positive Youth Justice Silver Medal recognition from the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College. Rev. Winley is happily married to his childhood sweetheart Samantha Winley, and is the proud father of his son, Maurice Duane Winley Jr.
Lawrence Bartley is the Director of News Inside at The Marshall Project. He serves on the Prisoner Legal Services’ Board of Directors and the Parole Preparation Project’s Advisory Board. Lawrence holds an advanced degree in Professional Studies from New York Theological Seminary and a B.S. from Mercy College. Previously, Lawrence co-founded Forgotten Voices and its successor Voices from Within, which now seeks to address mass incarceration. He has provided multimedia content for the NY Emmy winning three part series “Drama in the Big House, WNYC’s Death, Sex and Money podcast, and his “Power of a Parents Voice” TED talk. Wipf and Stock, The Marshall Project and Vice have published his writing.
Belinda Ramos is the CCFY Deputy Director of Training & Technical Assistance. She joined CCFY’s Training Department in September 2014 and was promoted to Director in May 2016. She comes with a long history of experience in training and curriculum development in the academic research and public policy sector. With a Masters degree in Psychology, she has put her education to use in Children’s Mental Health Research aimed at affecting public policy at statewide and national levels. She was the director and lead trainer of the Parent Empowerment Program, a Columbia University/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant funded initiative designed to strengthen the efficacy of family peer advocates in the work that they do with parents of children with special needs. Drawing from her experience, she has continued consulting in curriculum adaptations geared at promoting community engagement and family empowerment within clinical settings, the NYC Department of Education, and citywide Parent Resource Centers. Her work has been published with Oxford University Press and various scientific journals.
Willard C. Jimerson Jr. is a prominent youth advocate, crime interventionist, and a Race Relation’s Strategist working throughout Seattle and South King County. Willard received his certification in Sociology and Philosophy from Ohio University and graduated top of his class from Bellevue College. In his professional work as a Program Manager at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Willard oversee’ s a transformational process under the national model Credible Messengers called GROOM which stands for Gifted Regardless Of Oppressive Methods. In this capacity, Willard and his team works with youth between the ages of 12-24 who are justice involved or at-risk of justice involvement. As a transformational process, GROOM places emphasis on providing a culturally relevant service which assist each youth & young adult the opportunity to reduce their barriers rather it be in employment, education and/or negative law enforcement contact; and this all done through an enriched curriculum engrained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Willard also serves as a catalyst in doing reentry work for youth and adults who are deemed the hardest to reach and most underserved. Willard also provides enriching, informative, and culturally relevant workshops and trainings with the King County Credible Messengers Initiative all in the interest of disrupting and dismantling the school-to- prison-pipeline.
Demecia Wilson is the Administrator of the Lucas County Juvenile Court’s Probation Department and The Assessment Center. She has dedicated the last twenty four years to serving youth and families. Demecia began her career with the Lucas County Juvenile Court as a Residential Specialist at the Youth Treatment Center; a secured residential facility for adjudicated youth. She later served as a Probation Officer and worked in this area for over fourteen years. She elevated through the ranks and served as a Probation Manager as well as the Assistant Administrator of Probation before being promoted to the office of Administrator. She currently oversees the Assessment Center and all services under its umbrella such as Misdemeanor Services and the Family Violence Intervention Program.
In this position, Demecia continues to lead the charge in probation transformation and reform. From embracing the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative to the implementation of Positive Youth Justice, Structured Decision Making, Effective Practice In Community Supervision (EPICS), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), Demecia has been at the forefront working diligently to positively impact change. Her commitment to juvenile justice and reform is what motivates her, but her dedication to helping to improve the lives of youth and families is what strengthens her to do this work on a daily basis.
Demecia has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wilberforce University, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University.
King County Juvenile Court’s Equity and Social Justice Advocate
Jason J. Clark is a community focused leader, working to build bridges between systems and communities in Washington State. Professionally, as an Equity and Justice Advocate, he is laser focused on juvenile justice reform with over a decade of service to youth and families in King County.
Mr. Clark is recognized locally for implementing community based alternatives to incarceration, leading the King County Credible Messenger Initiative’s consortium building and providing training and resources to community leaders, Superior Court staff and Judicial Officers to better equip our local justice system’s equity lens and procedural justice process.
Dr. Mika’il DeVeaux received his Ph.D. in Social Welfare at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. His dissertation, Fitting-In: How formerly incarcerated New York City Black Men Define Success Post-Incarceration, won the 2018 Society for Social Work Research Most Distinguished Dissertation Award Honorable Mention. Dr. DeVeaux is Co-Founder and Executive of Citizens Against Recidivism, Inc. He has taught at numerous CUNY campuses including York College, City College of Technology, Medgar Evers College, and the Silberman School of Social Work. He currently holds a faculty appointment at Nassau Community College. Dr. DeVeaux received a Soros Justice Fellowship for advocacy that focused on policy and program development within the Muslim community around criminal justice and re-entry issues.
Professor Harriet Goodman received her doctorate in Social Welfare from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Since her graduation, she has served on the faculty at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Beginning with her faculty appointment at Hunter, Dr. Goodman developed programs for young adults on Probation, including the SAFE-T Blue Group, a cognitive restricting intervention for high risk youth. Currently she is leading a team of doctoral fellows and faculty members at the Graduate Center on Community Justice Collaboration research projects. She has served as the Executive Director of the Ph.D. Program in Social Welfare at the Graduate Center since 2012.
Tracee Perryman, PhD, is the Executive Director and co-founder of Center of Hope Family Services, whose mission is to improve the life outcomes of individuals and families living in urban settings. Under Dr. Perryman’s leadership, she has expanded CHFS to provide an array of evidence-based programs centering around Positive Youth Development and Adult/Family Support. The non-profit now serves 500 clients annually, with 25 employees. Highlighted programs include its Ohio Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) – a comprehensive, academic-focused, extended learning opportunity in partnership with Toledo Public Schools. In 2011, Dr. Perryman and Center of Hope was rated as a High Quality Center and model for tutoring programs, statewide. Dr. Perryman and Center of Hope received the 2018 Ohio Department of Education Statewide Summit for Enrichment Education, 21st Century Community Learning Center Award in Student Reading/Literacy Improvement. Dr. Perryman and Center of Hope was also awarded 2018 Excellence and Innovation Award for innovative programs. Dr. Perryman’s evidenced based parenting education and support programs are utilized by Lucas County Job & Family Services, Juvenile Courts, and Child Support Enforcement. Since 2016, Dr. Perryman and Center of Hope have partnered with Lucas County Juvenile Courts, to implement an innovative approach to parent support and advocacy, which is only 1 of 4 in the nation.
Dr. Perryman graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, where she majored in Psychology. Dr. Perryman earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University, where she also taught and supervised education students majoring in Early Childhood Education. Dr. Perryman earned her PhD from the Ohio State University College of Social Work, with a minor in Education in August, 2016. Her dissertation focused on the relationships between racial socialization and reduced violence in African American young adults.
Dr. Perryman has provided numerous presentations at national conferences in the areas of Education and Mental Health Counseling. During her tenure at The Ohio State University, Dr. Perryman received the Distinguished Graduate Enrichment Fellowship Award. During her tenure at Ohio State and after, Dr. Perryman teaches several courses in the areas of Lifespan Development, Social Welfare, and Social Work Practice with Diverse Cultural Groups. She continues to teach in both The Ohio State University College of Social Work, and most currently, The University of Toledo Social Work Program.
Dr. Perryman is also an accomplished songwriter and performer. In October, 2017, Dr. Perryman released her first full album, “Today.” Dr. Perryman has been invited to perform live at several venues such as the University of Toledo John Savage Arena, and will perform for ProMedica Health Systems in June, 2018. In the summer of 2018, Dr. Perryman will release the first of a body of songs and jingles that she will produce for Non-Profit marketing and promotion campaigns.
Albino Garcia is the Founder and Executive Director of La Plazita Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is of both American and Mexican Indigenous descent. Albino is recognized for his outstanding community leadership and for a remarkable range of successful traditional cultural programing for more than two decades. La Plazita Institute is a non-profit organization designed to engage New Mexico’s youth, elders, and communities in comprehensive, holistic, and cultural approach philosophy of “La Cultura Cura”. La Plazita’s programs foster the experience for the people it serves to draw from their own roots and histories to express core traditional values of respect, honor, love, and family. Through his work, Albino is a trainer and consultant teaching skills and workshops in: Drug and Gang Intervention, Cultural Diversity, Community Services, Racial Equity, Juvenile Justice Strategies, Agricultural Programming, Traditional Healing Practices & Services, Multiple Worlds Curriculum, Boys & Men of Color Programming, Rites of Passage Programming, and Community Organizing. Currently, Albino is the Quad-Chair for the Bernalillo County JDAI RRED Committee, (Reducing Racial & Ethnic Disparities). Albino is also an Ordained Native American Chaplain at various detention facilities throughout NM and is a Certified Acudetox Specialist where he practices at La Plazita Institute.
Albino Garcia Jr and La Plazita Institute have been recipients of several different awards from: the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement at the 22nd Annual NACOLE Conference, the National Association of Social Workers for outstanding contributions and exemplary leadership in serving New Mexico’s children and families, and the Gloria J. Jenkins Award for Outstanding Contributions to Juvenile Detention reform by a Community Organization from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Most recently, the work done by Albino and La Plazita Institute has been published in a newly released book titled Overcoming Disparity Latino Young Men and Boys Edited by Frank de Jesús Acosta and Henry A. J. Ramos. Albino is a committed member of his community; he has participated in numerous networks with professional affiliations such as: the Latino Network, Violence and Injury Prevention Project, Educational Leadership Institute, Community Action Network.
In 1990 Albino founded Rivals in the Redwoods, a gang intervention program out of Salinas, California. In 1992, he created the GANAS, or Gang Alternative North and South. Following in 1994, he co-founded the “New School” in Watsonville, California to give youth a second chance for education in an alternative setting more conducive to their needs. Mr. Garcia also has years of experience as the lead program coordinator at Barrios Unidos in Santa Cruz, California where he initiated school based, community-based, and institution based programming. He has served as an education trainer and community liaison for the Center for Learning and Public Service at the University of New Mexico and was Deputy Director of Training at Youth Development Inc. in New Mexico.
In 1995, Albino was one of 41 participants, chosen for the prestigious Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship. This awarded him $130,000 over a three year period to make significant change in addressing major social issues in the United States and beyond. As a Fellow, Mr. Garcia is a world traveler, meeting with noted thinkers and leaders.
Jim St. Germain is the co-founder of PLOT. Jim has an associate degree in human services from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Jim works with juvenile justice-involved youth and their families in New York City. He is on the Board of the National Juvenile Defender Center and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Coordinator Council on Juvenile and Justice Delinquency Prevention (CCJJ).
Previously, Jim was a youth care worker at a juvenile facility, where he was once a resident. Additionally, Jim was a youth advocate for young people living with mental illness at the Mental Health Association, Inc. and a member of New York State’s Division of Criminal Justice Services Youth Advisory Council.
Jim has worked with countless local, state and federal officials advising on matters related to juvenile justice, mentoring, mental health, substance abuse, and educational issues.
Khalil A. Cumberbatch currently serves as Chief Strategist at New Yorkers United for Justice a coalition of broad and diverse organizations whose goal is to pass criminal justice reform legislation in New York State. He previously served as Associate Vice President of Policy at the Fortune Society, a reentry organization whose goal is to build people and not prisons. He is also a lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work.
Vivian D. Nixon is Executive Director of College & Community Fellowship (CCF), a nonprofit that enables women with criminal convictions to earn their college degrees so that they, their families, and their communities can thrive. An alumna of CCF’s program, Nixon advocates nationally for access to higher education for incarcerated students, for the voices of formerly incarcerated individuals and communities impacted by mass incarceration to be the center of the criminal justice reform movement, and for the development of responses to crime that respect human dignity. Nixon is a Columbia University Community Scholar and a recipient of the John Jay Medal for Justice, the Ascend Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, and the Soros Justice Fellowship. She received her B.S. from the State University of New York and is a candidate for the MFA in creative nonfiction and Columbia University.
Jessica Mofield is the Executive Deputy Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office to Prevent Gun Violence. Housed within the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), the Office to Prevent Gun Violence (OPGV), is focused on synchronizing the city’s anti-gun violence initiatives while amplifying community based services and employing technological solutions to end gun violence. Our mission is to create safe, empowered and interconnected communities utilizing a multitude of public safety strategies. Prior to joining OPGV, she worked at the Counseling Service of Eastern District of New York, where she was tasked with providing culturally attuned therapeutic support to over 200 justice involved men and women that were referred by the Administration for Children’s Services and federal probation. She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. Ms. Mofield also holds a license as a LMHC and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Founded in 1999 by Julio Medina, Exodus Transitional Community, Inc. (ETC) is a faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting men, women, youth involved, or at-risk of involvement, in the criminal justice system. ETC has served over 20,000 participants and has become one of the most successful re-entry programs in the United States. Julio serves on Governor Cuomo’s Council on Community Re-entry and Reintegration, which provides comprehensive, evidence-based solutions for obstacles facing formerly incarcerated individuals returning to neighborhoods across New York. He also served 12 years in prison where he transformed his life. The creation of Exodus Transitional Community is Julio’s fulfillment of his faith and mission. Julio Medina holds a BA from the State University of New York at Albany, a Masters of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary and is presently a Doctoral candidate in Ministry at New York Theological Seminary.
Born and raised in the village of Harlem and in the Bronx, NY, Pastor Darren A. Ferguson is known as a leader for this generation – a preacher, teacher, singer, motivational speaker and social activist. He serves as the 7th Pastor in the 101-year history of Bethel Baptist Church in Orange, NJ. He is also the inaugural Director of Graham Windham’s U.P. (Unlimited Potential) program, a Raise The Age Residential program for criminal justice involved 16 and 17 youth. He also served as the Director of the Hunts Point Bean Program for Graham. He is the National Director of Public Relations for Healing Communities, USA – providing training and technical assistance for houses of worship to become “Stations of Hope” for the formerly incarcerated. Over the last 20 years, he has served in organizations such as LaGuardia Community College. the Osborne Association, the Interfaith Center of New York, SUNY College at Old Westbury, The Children’s’ Village and as Youth Director for The National Action Network. He ministered for 5 years as Youth Minister at Harlem’s historic Abyssinian Baptist Church and is a former Team Chaplain for the WNBA’s New York Liberty. He serves on The Board of Directors of Fathers Incorporated, a national clearinghouse for responsible Fatherhood.
Dr. Ferguson had the honor of helping to lead the charge during the national campaign for the Fair Chance Act, wherein returned citizens will be given a fair chance at employment. He helped the law get passed in New York City in the Summer of 2015 and served as chair of a White House meeting on Recidivism, Gun Violence and Police Brutality during the Obama Administration. A graduate of New York Theological Seminary’s (NYTS) Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Programs (2009, 2017). Bishop serves as an adjunct/group leader for the Supervised Ministry Program at NYTS. In response to a surge of gun violence in NYC during the summer of 2012, Ferguson launched the Starve the Beast campaign – enlisting clergy of all faiths, community leaders and families in a coordinated effort to reduce gun violence, community apathy and recidivism.
He has received numerous awards, including the NY City Male Involvement Consortiums “Father We Cherish” Award in 2001, the first ever “Amos Award” from Sojourners Magazine/The Call To Renewal, Inc in 2002 (an award also given to President Obama in 2006). He was honored as one of 2005’s top business and community leaders in the tri-state area by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the Christopher (Notorious B.I.G.) Wallace Memorial Foundation, along with Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus. He has been honored several times for his work in the areas of Youth Advocacy and Civil Rights by the New York City Council. In 2010, he was honored with the “House of Justice” Award by Rev. Sharpton’s National Action Network. July 15th, 2015, the day of his ordination to the Episcopacy was marked as “Bishop Darren Ferguson Day” by NYC Public Advocate Letitia James. Most recently, he was honored by Bethel Baptist Church as one of their Men of The Year after serving as pastor for less than 6 months.
Dr. Ferguson has published an autobiography, entitled “How I Became An Angry Black Man: From Prison to the Pulpit” – which is currently being revised for reprinting.
Tea believes that “learning can happen anywhere and teaching can come from anyone.” She was raised in the South Bronx and descends from a large family of creative and talented beings. Her hobbies include writing poetry, volunteering and building with YOUTH. By the age of 19, Tea was one of four youth co-founders of, Bronx PRYDE (Promoting, Revolutionary Youth Development & Empowerment), hosted at The Bronx Defenders. Bronx PRYDE focused on training youth to be community organizers and group facilitators. Her work at the Bronx Defenders deepened her passion for working with youth and refined her community organizing skills; she has now been working with nonprofits for more than 14 years. Tea specializes in community engagement, curriculum development and technical assistance. She prides herself on designing unique and interactive experiences that effectively support the individuals and organizations she partners with. Tea enjoys building and training with educators, service providers, community organizers, state officials and YOUTH. Her engagement styles include panel presentations, lectures, healing circles, group discussions, workshops and art based events. Tea currently works as a Non Profit Coach in NYC supporting individuals and organizations with sustaining their nonprofits. A variety of consulting opportunities and work experience has allowed Tea to work with some of the most vurnable populations in New York State including teen parents, homeless youth, families in public housing, court involved youth, boys living in single parent households, children with special needs and youth that identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ). She’s had countless opportunities to participate in a myriad of trainings and certificate programs hosted by New York City agencies and educational institutions. Some of her certifications include Mental Health First Aid, Non Profit Management, Conflict Resolution and Public Speaking.
Accomplishments/ Certifications:
*2004 Public Allie Alum
*2005 Union Square Award Recipient
*2007 Hoffman Institute Scholarship Recipient
*2011 Nonprofit Management Certification
*2012 Youth Justice Leadership Institute Graduate
*2015 mental Health First Aider
*2015 Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness Scholarship Recipient
*2016 NYCHA LGBTQ Employee Association Honoree Affiliations:
Board Chair / The Star Boutique Credible Messenger Justice Center / Advisory Board Member Founder & Project Director / The Youth Speakers Institute Curator/ Just Write Community Project
Dr. Divine Pryor serves as the Executive Director of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions, an independent research, training and advocacy think tank that applies Human Justice to achieve public safety, racial equity, community investment, human development and well-being in society. Founded and developed by academic professionals with prior experience within the criminal punishment system, the organization is the first of its kind in the country.
Dr. Pryor is a social scientist with extensive knowledge and expertise in the criminal justice, health and social service fields, having spent over half his career administering HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, substance abuse and other social service non-profits. He has traveled extensively providing counsel and technical assistance on criminal justice issues to judges, prosecutors, correctional staff and other system stakeholders for the purpose of influencing policy decisions. In addition, he has developed trainings and workshops for professionals that address issues such as anti-gang initiatives, poverty, literacy, unemployment, housing and healthcare.
He is a highly sought after technical assistance provider who continues to work with various non-profit and governmental agencies to build infrastructure, program capacity and innovative solutions.
In 2001, Dr. Pryor was appointed by the Council of State Governors to the National Re-entry Policy Council where he and over 100 national experts produced the most voluminous work in re-entry in the nation. Dr. Pryor has also served on the advisory board of the DC Pre-Trial Services Agency, NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Re-entry program of the Kings County Prosecutor office. Dr. Pryor currently serves as a member of the Mayor of New York’s subcommittee on pre-arraignment/arrest.
In 2009, Dr. Pryor was appointed by the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate to co-chair the New York State Anti-Gang Violence Reduction Commission. In 2016 he was appointed as chair of the NYC Criminal Justice Clergy Taskforce and Co-Founded the Peoples Police Academy. In addition, Dr. Pryor is an active member of a number of local, regional & national legislative, social and political advocacy groups whose focus is to achieve de-carceration through community development.
Marlon hosts the Decarcerated Podcast and is an inaugural Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity. Ebony Magazine has named Marlon one of America’s 100 most influential and inspiring leaders in the Black community. He is also an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar, and TED Resident. His TED Talk, Am I Not Human? A Call for Criminal Justice Reform, has over 1 million views. He is also the founder and chief re-imaginator of The Precedential Group, a social justice consulting firm, and a 2015 recipient of the Soros Justice Fellowship.
Marlon spent his 20s inside New York State prisons for his involvement in a crime as a teenager. He spent the last five years of his incarceration as the head of the Transitional Services Center where he created programming and curricula for men nearing release from incarceration. Marlon also spearheaded and designed an experiential workshop for incarcerated men and college students from Vassar College called, “Vassar & Otisville–Two Communities Bridging the Gap.” Marlon’s writing, programs, and community initiatives have focused on issues of gun violence, carceral conditions, and racial justice.
Marlon has an AA in Criminal Justice with Honors, and a BA in Organizational Behavior from New York University.
Anibal Cortes holds an MPH from Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. He is a 2017 BPI-TOW Public Health Fellow. He has been a public health practitioner since 1998 when he started as an HIV/AIDS Peer Educator in Eastern Correctional Facility. He was instrumental in the initiation of a public health core competencies curricular specialization to BPI liberal arts curriculum in 2008. Anibal is involved in the investigation and creation of health data that captures the concerns and experiences of persons with justice involvement and made part of primary care and social services innovations in NYC.
Preetha is an intern at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the Health Access Equity Unit. Prior to joining the HAEU, Preetha worked primarily in the global health space in service of marginalized populations. She worked with an HIV/AIDS awareness organization that focused on education, testing, and counseling in rural Tanzanian communities. In order to expand her understanding of health systems and program implementation, she completed her MPH in Population and Family Health at Columbia University. As a graduate student, she studied research design and implementation science, and was involved in the implementation of a primary care quality improvement program in Vietnam. Preetha received her BA from Harvard University (History of Science) and is currently a medical student at the Medical University of South Carolina. She hopes to combine public health and medicine to improve health for marginalized populations.
Taylonn Murphy Sr is a Community Organizer and Activist. A Parent Coach, Arches Mentor, Violent Interrupter Specialist and Founder of the Tayshana Chicken Murphy Foundation. He has been active in the fight for Criminal Justice Reform as well as stopping the nonpeaceful acts in many urban communities. He helps in the implementation of the 696 Build Queensbridge program. With the help of his experiences as a Violence Interrupter Supervisor, he assisted in their success of well over 365 days of no shootings in the largest housing development in the northern hemisphere in 2017. He is also the recipient of the 2018 CUNY School of Law Distinguished Public Interest Leader Award.
New York City Department of Probation
Ana M. Bermúdez is the NYC Department of Probation’s (DOP’s) first openly gay person, first Latina and second woman to be appointed Commissioner. A graduate of Brown University and Yale Law School, Commissioner Bermúdez began her professional career representing children in family court cases at the Legal Aid Society. For over twenty years, she has been a tireless advocate for children and teenagers involved in the justice system through the development and implementation of strengths-based interventions, the application of restorative and youth development practices and the designing of programs that ensure successful re-integration for adjudicated juveniles. During her tenure as DOP’s Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Operations from 2010 through 2014, she successfully led city-wide initiatives that focused on improving outcomes for court-involved youth through interdisciplinary collaborations. With her appointment to Commissioner in March 2014, she continues to lead the Department in its mission to enhance public safety through appropriate and individualized and community-based interventions in the lives of people on probation to enable them to permanently exit the justice system.
Prior to joining the DOP in 2010, she was the Director of Juvenile Justice Programs at the Children’s Aid Society. She has also worked at CASES (The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services) holding progressively responsible positions: Director of Training and Technical Assistance; Co-Director of Community Prep High School: a transitional school for court-involved students; and Deputy Director for Court Services and Case Management at CASES’ Court Employment Project, an alternative to incarceration program for adolescent felony offenders.
Executive Director,
Street Addiction Institute
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc tincidunt sodales augue, vel tincidunt sem molestie non. Duis vehicula sed odio sed tristique. Cras cursus lacus dui, ut ornare sem mollis sit amet. Nulla viverra augue tempor efficitur ultricies. Aliquam non orci dui. Suspendisse egestas leo at luctus faucibus. Cras non ligula et metus cursus lobortis. Quisque quam metus, tincidunt id faucibus eget, laoreet nec lectus. Mauris scelerisque, massa ac posuere condimentum, lorem massa tristique augue, et vehicula massa nulla eget dolor.