Why Set up a Profile?

Being charged with a crime can seriously impact your reputation, regardless of whether the charges are valid or unfounded. Rebuilding your image becomes essential, especially in today’s digital age, where negative press can have far-reaching consequences. Allegations of criminal misconduct can lead to significant challenges, such as:

• Affecting your income and employment opportunities  
• Shaping how key stakeholders perceive you within the system  
• Damaging your social standing  

Addressing these challenges swiftly and effectively is essential for minimizing the fallout and reclaiming control over your personal and professional reputation. One proactive step is to take an offensive approach, starting by creating a personal profile on Prison Professors Talent.

An arrest or conviction can have lasting consequences, but with intentional adjustments, it’s possible to mitigate the damage. Rebuilding and recalibrating your life is achievable. Prison Professors Talent, a resource created by our nonprofit, is designed to support justice-impacted individuals in this journey.

In the sections ahead, I’ll share how documenting my decades-long experience in prison shaped me, and why I believe others should build a profile to showcase how they’re using their time to prepare for a successful life after release.

Backstory:

When I was 23, authorities arrested me and charged me with crimes related to the distribution of cocaine. I had made the poor choice of standing trial, even though I knew I was guilty. At that point in my life, I wasn’t ready to face reality or begin rebuilding. I lived in denial, convincing myself that a jury wouldn’t convict me. I was wrong.

After my conviction, I returned to the solitary cell where I had been confined since my arrest. Alone with my thoughts, I had time to reflect on my situation. By then, I had spent nearly a year in incarceration, and the isolation weighed on me. Inspired by the books I read, my perspective changed. Rather than fixating on what the system had done to me, I started envisioning the life I wanted to build after this chapter of my journey. That change in mindset became the foundation for a new strategy—one focused on personal growth and a vision for the future.

I learned to reframe my perspective and craft a plan I truly believed could carry me through this experience and beyond. Instead of focusing solely on myself, I shifted my attention to the people and opportunities that could influence my future. This change in mindset inspired me to create a three-part strategy to navigate life in prison while laying the foundation for a better path ahead.

1. Pursue Education: I committed to earning academic degrees. By demonstrating my dedication to self-improvement, I hoped to show stakeholders that I aspired to a life beyond crime.
2. Contribute Meaningfully: I resolved to find tangible ways to give back to society. Through meaningful work, I aimed to prove my desire to be a productive, contributing member of the community.
3. Build a Support Network: I focused on fostering connections with individuals who believed in my potential for growth and redemption. By gaining their trust, I hoped they would join me in my efforts to rebuild my life.

This plan became my compass, guiding me through the challenges of prison life and paving the way for a better future. Along the way, I turned to books as a source of knowledge and inspiration. One author who left a lasting impression on me was Peter Drucker, renowned for his works on management. He once said, "What gets measured gets managed," a powerful reminder that meaningful change requires clear, measurable progress. That type of guidance inspired me to begin documenting my journey.

I started documenting the small but meaningful progress I was making. As I shared my journey and the deliberate choices guiding my path, new opportunities began to unfold. That journey is detailed in my book, Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term.  

But this isn’t just about my story—it’s about you. What actions can you take today to shape how others will perceive you in the future? Here are some ideas to help guide you forward.

Take Control of Your Narrative

When I was inside, I quickly learned how important it was to define my own story. Too often, others judge justice-impacted individuals based on stereotypes or what they think they know. But you have the power to rewrite that narrative.

By creating a profile on Prison Professors Talent, you’re taking the reins. Instead of allowing past events to speak for you, your profile becomes the platform where you demonstrate who you are today. Potential employers, landlords, or community members searching online can now see your growth, achievements, and commitment to a brighter future.

When I walked into those initial meetings after release, having tangible evidence of my growth, like my academic achievements, gave me credibility. Your profile can do the same for you.

Ask Yourself:  

“What story am I allowing others to tell about me? How can I take back control?”

Document Your Growth Consistently

Change is a process, not an event. Over my 26 years in prison, every book I read, every educational program I completed, and every goal I achieved built a foundation for my transformation. Prison Professors Talent gives you a way to document your progress every step of the way.

Imagine looking back at a profile filled with milestones:

• Certificates from educational programs  
• Evidence of vocational training and skill development  
• Reflections on your personal growth  

Think of your profile as a digital journal. Each update becomes a tangible piece of evidence proving your commitment to bettering yourself. Over time, it tells a powerful story of accountability, responsibility, and resilience. Consider the many ways that such a record will advance your pursuit of the highest level of liberty, at the soonest possible time.

Key Takeaway: Use consistency to show others the person you’re becoming, not the person you were.

Provide Proof of Constructive Effort

People trust documented efforts. Anyone can say that they've worked hard to prepare for success, but the more documentation you create, the more credibility you build. I had credibility because I wrote consistently. That record opened higher levels of liberty, and it also helped me build multiple income streams.

Build and develop your profile on Prison Professors Talent to eliminate doubt others may have. By regularly updating your profile with your achievements, you give future employers, stakeholders providers, and community leaders clear evidence that you’ve used your time constructively.

The record I build in prison opened many opportunities while I served my sentence, and once I got out. Start thinking about how the record you build will advance opportunities for a new life.

Actionable Tip: After any milestone, ask yourself, “Does this showcase my growth?” If yes, add it to your profile.

Improve Career Opportunities

Landing a job or securing housing can feel like an uphill climb for justice-impacted individuals. But a well-documented profile can make all the difference.

Employers and landlords need reassurance. They want to know:

• Can this person be trusted?
• Are they reliable and capable?

Your profile gives them answers. By showcasing your skills, education, and transformation, you turn doubt into confidence. For example, if someone sees a timeline of your completed steps toward reentry, such as a welding certification or customer service training, it demonstrates that you’re prepared and motivated.

Reflection Prompt:  

“What skills or experiences can I highlight on my profile to show I’m ready to succeed?”

Build Relationships with Mentors

While I served my sentence, I sought out mentors. They became advisors to me, as if they were members of my personal board of directors. Many became my advocates, devoting time, energy, and resources to helping me open opportunities. Think about how your profile will open opportunities to build new relationships.

A strong profile signals to potential mentors that you’re worth their time and energy. When others witness your consistent growth and effort, they’re more likely to reach out and offer guidance, advocacy, or even partnerships. List specific goals or areas where you’re seeking advice on your profile to attract the right mentors.

Develop Your Personal Brand

The term “personal brand” might feel foreign at first, but think of it as how people perceive you. Who do you want to be known as?

Your Prison Professors Talent profile lays the groundwork for your personal brand. Over time, it positions you as someone dedicated to personal growth, discipline, and resilience. Whether you’re pursuing a traditional job, starting a business, or taking on a community leadership role, this brand becomes your foundation for success.

Motivational Insight:  

When you invest in your personal brand today, you create opportunities that go far beyond tomorrow.

Inspire Others and Create a Legacy

The ripple effect of transformation is real. When you show others what’s possible, you inspire them to believe in their own potential.

While in prison, I shared lessons with my peers because I knew our stories could bring hope to others. By documenting your progress on Prison Professors Talent, you not only reshape your own life but also encourage others walking the same path. Your story might be the reason someone else chooses to turn things around.

Challenge:  

“What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? What steps can I take today to make that vision a reality?”

‍