Tiffany Caldwell

My name is Tiffany. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC. One year ago, I purchased my home and am currently based in Schenectady, New York. I am a Mom of one awesome, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind daughter. We have been impacted by family separation. I am an advocate/ally for my daughter and the disability community as a whole. I am currently looking to create creative change in my daily life, principles, and my place in this world. At this stage of my life, I am laying down roots and legacy, with purpose, integrity, and nobility.

Chablis Dandridge

Chablis Dandridge’s life story is a testament to resilience and redemption. Despite facing adversity from a young age, including dropping out of high school at 15 and surviving multiple gunshot wounds that left him paralyzed, Chablis refused to be defined by his circumstances. During a federal prison sentence for drug trafficking at age 27, he seized the opportunity for transformation. Behind bars, he earned a college degree, became fluent in Spanish, and dedicated himself to advocacy and community outreach.

Today, Chablis resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is a real estate professional specializing in providing transitional housing for those reentering society from incarceration and those facing chronic homelessness. Alongside his real estate work, he is a senior North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist with an accreditation in Forensic Peer Support and formal training as a [Forensic] Peer Support Facilitator as well as co-founder and Vice President of The Black Coalition of Forensic Peer Support Specialists, which advocates for recidivism reduction and social justice. Chablis is also a sought-after speaker, consultant, and author, inspiring others with his story of resilience and commitment to creating positive change in the world.

Valerie Frost

Valerie Frost, M.Ed., is a lived-experience parent advocate, systems-change leader, speaker, and strategist focused on child welfare prevention, family well-being, and ethical engagement. Drawing on her experience as an impacted parent and her work across child welfare, prevention, and community systems, she helps organizations translate lived insight into stronger policy, practice, and accountability structures. Valerie is the host of the Community In-Site podcast and creator of the Ethical Lived Experience Engagement Test™ framework.

Martha Grise-Haney

Community advocate and parent dedicated to systemic change in North Carolina.

Evelyn Hill

I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and Peer Support Specialist who is passionate about helping individuals successfully navigate the challenges of reentry and recovery. Drawing from my own lived experience, I provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to people rebuilding their lives after incarceration. I believe that lived experience is a powerful tool for creating hope, building trust, and helping others overcome barriers to achieve lasting stability and success.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to expanding opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. I had the privilege of helping launch the first-ever Second Chance employment opportunities within the hospitality industry, creating meaningful pathways to employment for people returning to their communities. My work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, and I am dedicated to breaking down barriers, advocating for equitable opportunities, and empowering others to avoid the pitfalls of reentry while building fulfilling, purpose-driven lives.

Nakia Hines

Nakia supports parents impacted by the family policing system as the Executive Director and Founder of High Hopes Parenting Collective. Inspired by the family preservation movement and liberatory harm reduction, through High Hopes, Nakia courageously challenges conventional beliefs about who deserves to be a parent.

Seven-plus years of asserting her value against systems dedicated to the denial of her motherhood and humanity has fueled her deep commitment to harm reduction and transformative justice. Nakia defines herself not by the hurdles in her path, but by the perseverance it took to clear them and by her fierce dedication to her sons, who inspire her to change not only herself but the world.

Ryan Jones

Rickie Leak

North Carolina Native, ambitious leader with a willingness to help those in need. Serving as Assistant Property Manager for PHA, providing a home environment for all. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, with a heart to pursue justice, safety, and awareness for all persons who have experienced injustice or wrongdoing within the system.

Jasmine Milton

Tiffany Moses

Stephen Parks

Daquan Peters / LEX V

Tameka Roberts

I am a parent advocate dedicated to supporting families navigating the child welfare system and empowering parents who are fighting to reunify with their children. Through advocacy, education, and lived experience, I strive to provide hope, resources, and a voice for those who often feel unheard. My mission is to promote accountability, compassion, and meaningful reform within the child welfare system while continuing to advance my education so I can create lasting change for children, parents, and families.

April Scales / Barber

April spent 31.5 years of incarceration beginning at age fifteen. She now provides resources for those still incarcerated as well as those who are soon to be released through her advocacy business, Fenced In. She also shares her journey as a published author and public speaker.

Nisha Shaw

My name is Zonisha Shaw. I like to be called Nisha. I am a mother of 5. I have been fighting the system since a young age. I have 3 grandchildren I fight for every day. I have custody of my oldest. I have 5 amputated fingers. I LOVE MUSIC. It keeps me calm. I love doing family and friend events. I draw to help with my mental health. My support team has helped push me to start a Children’s coloring book as well as one for woman and men. I also crochet baby items and blankets.

April Short

April Short is a dedicated advocate for social justice and environmental justice, committed to making a positive impact in her community and beyond. With a deep-rooted passion for equity and sustainability, she has tirelessly worked towards creating a fairer and more inclusive society. April’s journey as an advocate began by helping various campaigns that aimed to address systemic issues and promote social change. Through her involvement, she discovered the power of collective action and the importance of community engagement. She quickly realized that education and empowerment were crucial components of any successful movement. As she continues her journey, April remains steadfast in her pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable world for all.

Eddie Smith

Kiara Tillary

Kiara is a loving parent of two girls and currently resides in Greenville, NC. Kiara is a justice-impacted woman who refused to quit during challenges that were meant to break her. Kiara aspires to bring about changes in future generations with her passion and insight. While facing the challenge of justice impact, Kiara overcame mental health issues. Kiara contributes her victories to her children and Jesus, the Christ. Kiara’s future goals include a boarding house for single mothers that will provide case management and resources to ensure they will not become a statistic.

Yusuf Askari Young

Yusuf is an organizer with the Amani Collective and is passionate about affecting pulbic policy and ending systems of oppression. He is also dedicated to building alternative structures that are centered around working-class people. These structures mean that we are building dual and contending power as well as collective struggle to ensure that we hold law enforcement and elected officials accountable.