Emancipate NC celebrates Emancipate NC Director of Programs and longtime advocate Kerwin Pittman, whose journey from incarceration to receiving Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen is a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future.
Pittman, founder and executive director of the Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services (RREPS), has dedicated his work to restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and supporting people returning home from incarceration. Through RREPS, he helps people rebuild their lives and works to address the barriers that make successful reentry so challenging.
Reflecting on this milestone, Kerwin shared:
“There was a time when I was rebuilding my own life after prison. Today, through RREPS, I get to help thousands of others rebuild theirs.”
He also offered an inspiring message to anyone who has been counted out or written off: “NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH YOUR STORY!”
Kerwin’s leadership at RREPS and his work with Emancipate NC reflect a shared commitment to challenging systems that criminalize and marginalize people while building pathways to healing, opportunity, and lasting change.
We are proud to work alongside Kerwin and celebrate this well-deserved recognition. His journey demonstrates the power of lived experience, community leadership, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to move forward.
Congratulations, Kerwin! Your story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of turning lived experience into lasting impact.