Reimagine Reentry is something I considered doing since I was incarcerated in Western Penitentiary, over 30 years ago. I was born and raised in Philadelphia and got involved with gangs when I was a teenager. I spent 23 years in prison, from 1971 until 1991. I am a supporter of the MOVE Organization, and credit much of my ability and willingness to change to MOVE.

As a returning citizen, I completed my Master of Social Work in 1996, specializing in Community Organization. I now am an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, where I work with communities across Allegheny County to create outreach infrastructures aimed at reducing crime and violence. At Pitt, I am the Director of the Violence Prevention Initiative, where I oversee outreach work, provide gun violence training and education, and conduct the Gunshot Recurring Injury Prevention Services (G.R.I.P.S.) project to provide support to gunshot wound victims.

The many men and women I left behind are largely responsible for my transformation, and I feel it is my responsibility to give back to them. They helped me while I was incarcerated, and they have supported me since I’ve been home. They helped me realize that returning citizens with a plan can change the world! The success I have had is due to the teachers and mentors I had while incarcerated. Reimagine Reentry is not only a tribute to them, but a product of the direction given to me, by them, to change for the better.

My desire is to change the narrative around recidivism. I wanted to create a program for returning citizens, by returning citizens, to help better deliver holistic, trauma-informed services to people traditionally counted out by the rest of society. The desire and hope instilled in me by my past has charged me with changing the face of recidivism, and I hope that Reimagine Reentry serves as a beacon of hope for those who have experienced or have been affected by incarceration. “If you believe it, you can achieve it”. Reimagine Reentry exists today because I believe that by the power within each and every one of us, we can change the world.

I hold a Bachelors in Education/Special Education from Slippery Rock University. In the past, I was Employed with Pittsburgh Public schools for 5 years, and I have 10 years’ experience working with at risk youth. I joined the violence prevention team at the graduate school of public health in December 2014 and have been coordinating the homicide review for Allegheny County, GRIPS interventionist and outreach work in Allegheny County neighborhoods. Where our key objectives of the project are to: Stop the spread of violence. In 2019 joined in on the Reimagine Reentry team I work with the men and women reentering back into society. I have a passion for our city and want to see everyone here living to their potential.

I was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri. After graduating from high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force. I had the pleasure of following in my fathers’ footsteps, who also served. After ten years of service, I spent the next ten years in management positions with different organizations. The opportunity was presented to me to work in a support function with Fathers when I joined Allegheny Family Network. It allowed me the opportunity to take my own learned experiences as a father to support and educate other fathers. I’ve spent the last five years working in several hospitals here in the Pittsburgh area. I believe in networking and sharing resources. I am passionate about the opportunities to give back and provide support and education in our communities.

I grew up in the Hill District and started my career when I was 14 working at Ozanam Culture Center (now the Grayson Center). I always had a passion of working with kids and the community. I previously worked with One Vision One Life and now am working with CommUnityPeace at Reimagine Reentry as a Violence Prevention Coach visiting victims of violence and helping them to get set up with services. I hope to help end the cycle of violence.

My love for giving and helping others was a spirt embedded in me at birth from a very strong minded individual, my mother. Ms. Bey demonstrated how to obtain a great work ethic and self-respect by simply helping others without wanting anything in return. Living in the community Homewood-Brushton as a young man taught me a lot of things. I experienced seeing the loss of life especially my childhood friends. I see how drug addiction can destroy countless families. I always had this hunger to do more for the community I have grown to love. Graduating from Westinghouse high and going directly into the United States marine corps literally changed my life. Once I was honorably discharged in 1995, I became the operational manager of the city favorite sneaker villa. Within 8 years I was able to interact with community leaders and members, I was able to give countless young people gainful employment opportunities. My personal desire was to understand how to help individuals who were struggling with drug addiction. I received and opportunity by a good friend rick butler who hired me as a behavior specialist. For 8 years I learned first had what drugs can do to people and our communities. I moved on to Gaudenzia Healthcare on Centre Ave for 2 more years, where most recovering addicts called “da belly of the beast”. After that, my focus became solely about preparing our young adults and small children. I accepted a position as a physical education teacher/ fitness instructor. Now that was an amazing 5 years of my life, but I’m always looking for a greater challenge and I truly found one by working for community peace as a violence prevention coach. I have an awesome team surrounding me. We are changing people’s lives one client at a time. Your life is truly what you make it… level up and make it count…