From Struggle to Strength: Stories of Leadership and Resilience After Incarceration

Steve Weiss
Transformational Leadership Academy

The road from incarceration to a successful and meaningful life is full of challenges, but it’s entirely possible—as these stories of transformation show. Let’s explore how some remarkable individuals have overcome their pasts and built futures that inspire others. Along the way, they’ve received crucial support from organizations dedicated to helping people like them succeed.

Rebuilding Self-Worth and Identity

Rebuilding self-worth after incarceration is often the first and most crucial step. Finding a new sense of self can feel daunting when someone’s identity has been tied to their mistakes for so long. Coss Marte is a perfect example of how this can be done. Before his incarceration, Coss was running a multimillion-dollar drug operation in New York City. But he faced a turning point when he was sentenced to seven years in prison. A doctor’s warning about his health condition spurred him to create a fitness routine using nothing but his body weight in his tiny prison cell. Six months later, he had lost 70 pounds and started helping other inmates get in shape.

When he was released, Coss found it nearly impossible to secure a job due to his criminal record. Instead of giving up, he used his newfound passion for fitness to create ConBody, a prison-style fitness program that employs other formerly incarcerated individuals. Coss turned his life around with support from organizations like Defy Ventures, which offers entrepreneurship programs for those with criminal histories. His journey shows how reclaiming self-worth through positive action can lead to incredible personal and professional growth.

The Power of Emotional Intelligence

Another key factor in successful reentry is the development of emotional intelligence. Susan Burton’s story exemplifies this transformation. After the tragic death of her son, Susan spent nearly two decades caught in a cycle of addiction and incarceration. When she was finally released for the last time, she realized that to stay out of prison, she had to address the deep emotional wounds that had driven her into addiction.

Susan developed emotional intelligence by learning to manage her grief, recognize her triggers, and adopt healthier coping mechanisms. This self-awareness became the cornerstone of her transformation. Understanding the importance of emotional healing, she founded A New Way of Life Reentry Project, which provides housing, legal support, and emotional care to formerly incarcerated women. Susan’s work illustrates how emotional intelligence—understanding and managing your emotions—can be the key to personal recovery and empowering others to succeed.

Overcoming Employment Barriers

Securing stable employment is often the most significant barrier for individuals reentering society. Curtis "Wall Street" Carroll provides a compelling example of how to overcome this challenge. Entering prison as a teenager, Curtis was illiterate and lacked the skills needed for a successful career. Determined to change his fate, Curtis taught himself to read and became fascinated by the stock market. Over time, he became a finance expert and began teaching other inmates about financial literacy.

With The Last Mile's support, which provides inmates with technology and business training, Curtis turned his passion into a career, becoming a financial educator. His story shows that even behind bars, it’s possible to develop skills that can lead to meaningful employment after release.

Similarly, Carissa "Lucky" Smith rebuilt her life through the EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute. After struggling with her past and facing the stigma of a criminal record, Carissa found her way to EDWINS, where she received culinary training and the emotional and social support she needed to succeed. Today, she’s a successful chef, showing how targeted programs that address professional and personal needs can help overcome employment barriers and set individuals on a path to success.

The Importance of Leadership and Soft Skills in Reentry

Leadership and soft skills are crucial for navigating the challenges of reentry. Gary Shepherd learned the value of cooperation over competition while incarcerated, leading him to create a peer education program that became a model across Arizona, demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration. Deontae applied empathy and strong communication skills to advance his career post-incarceration, which helped him lead effectively and build strong relationships.

Joshua Lykes, a Resurgence Leadership graduate, exemplifies these skills' transformative impact. Joshua learned how to communicate and handle conflicts with calmness and accountability effectively. These skills not only helped him at work, where he became a better leader but also improved his relationships. Joshua emphasizes that authentic leadership requires taking responsibility and following through on commitments. His journey illustrates how mastering leadership and soft skills can profoundly influence the path to successful reintegration, both professionally and personally.

The Role of Education and Community Support

Education and community support are critical components of successful reentry. Terrell Blount’s story highlights this. After being released from prison, Terrell pursued higher education, earning a degree from Rutgers University despite the challenges posed by his criminal record. With the support of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN), which connects formerly incarcerated individuals with educational and career opportunities, Terrell completed his degree and became an advocate for others facing similar challenges.

FICGN provided Terrell with a community of peers who understood his struggles and access to resources that helped him thrive. His story demonstrates the importance of having a support network that believes in your potential and enables you to navigate the complexities of reentry.

Cultivating Resilience: The Common Thread

The stories of Coss Marte, Susan Burton, Curtis Carroll, Carissa Smith, Joshua Lykes, and Terrell Blount share a common theme: resilience. These individuals didn’t just survive their pasts—they used their experiences to build something better. Organizations like Defy Ventures, The Last Mile, A New Way of Life, EDWINS, and FICGN provided the support and resources they needed to succeed. Their journeys show us that with determination, the proper support, and resilience, anyone can overcome the challenges of reentry and create a meaningful, successful life.

Turning Potential into Reality with Resurgence Leadership

For those looking to embark on a similar transformation journey, Resurgence Leadership, a project of the Transformational Leadership Academy, offers a structured and supportive path forward. This program is available through sponsoring partner organizations and focuses on critical components like emotional intelligence, resilience, and leadership skills—crucial for successful reentry into society. Additionally, the Transformational Leadership Academy offers "train the trainer" programs to prepare and certify an organization’s instructors, ensuring the tools for transformation are accessible and sustainable within their communities.

Participants in Resurgence Leadership learn to navigate the many challenges of reintegration, gaining practical tools to create positive and lasting change in their lives. One participant said, “The course teaches caring and accountability while empowering us to change and achieve our goals.” This approach fosters a sense of self-worth and equips individuals with the skills needed to break the cycle of incarceration, ultimately leading to a brighter and more promising future.

These stories and programs collectively demonstrate that success after incarceration is possible and achievable for anyone committed to taking the necessary steps. With the right guidance and determination, the path to a fulfilling life is open, no matter where your journey begins.