Media & Social Influencers

Amplify call for reform

We collaborate or partner with journalists and social influencers who seek credible insights into America’s criminal justice system. By providing expert perspectives and authentic stories, we support accurate reporting and meaningful dialogue. Join us in amplifying the urgent need for reforms that improve outcomes for justice-impacted people, their families, and our communities.

Credible Insights, real stories

Our nonprofit offers reliable information, compelling stories, and expert perspectives to media professionals and influencers covering criminal justice issues. Through interviews, podcasts, and articles, we help you share accurate, meaningful narratives that drive understanding and spark positive change.

Soft White Underbelly YouTube

Mark Laita is a renowned photojournalist who created the impactful platform Soft White Underbelly. With a dedicated audience of over 10 million followers across YouTube and other channels, Mark provides a compelling space for individuals to share their stories of struggle and resilience. I was honored when he invited me to participate.

When I visited Mark’s studio in Santa Monica, I was accompanied by my friend Matt Bowyer. Matt is well-known for extensive media coverage portraying him as one of America's largest bookmakers. His notoriety intensified following a widely publicized scandal involving baseball star Shohei Ohtani, his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, and prominent Las Vegas casino executives. Mark initially intended to profile Matt, and through that connection, I had the chance to share my own story.

In the studio, Mark initially suggested I discuss experiences related to large-scale drug trafficking. However, I explained that my narrative was different. My journey was more about the process of recalibrating and rebuilding after profound adversity. Prison provided the backdrop, but the essence of my story was deeply human, highlighting strategies taught by influential mentors. Mark usually conducts interviews by asking questions, but he suggested I might tell my story uninterrupted. So, I sat down and spoke unscripted for an hour.

Million Stories: FacePlant Series

The Singleton Foundation sponsors numerous programs aimed at teaching financial literacy to underserved populations. One such initiative is the FacePlant series, which highlights inspiring stories of individuals who've faced significant adversity but discovered pathways to rebuild and transform their lives. I was honored when they approached me to feature my journey.

People entering the justice system often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. They need to know their current crisis doesn't have to dictate their life's trajectory. Every individual has the power to make strategic decisions during difficult times that can lead to positive outcomes. To share my experience, the FacePlant producers visited my home and created a high-quality video interview. In it, they explored the pivotal choices and mindset shifts that allowed me to move beyond the daunting challenge of a 45-year prison sentence.

Influential leaders guided me to adopt new ways of thinking, enabling me to recalibrate my perspective and rebuild my life from the inside out. These transformative lessons carried me through 26 years of incarceration and laid the groundwork for establishing multiple income streams after my release.

We are all navigating our personal journeys toward new chapters in our lives. By preparing proactively and thoughtfully, we position ourselves to seize emerging opportunities. That's precisely the message I aimed to convey through my story in this brief but powerful video.

SnewJ Knows YouTube

I’m always eager to collaborate with inspiring individuals, and that’s how I came across SnewJ—a self-made content creator with an incredible story. SnewJ has built a massive social media following, with millions of devoted fans. After watching a few of his videos, I learned he’s a first-generation American who taught himself how to create engaging content. His journey resonated with me, and I decided to reach out to see if he’d be interested in joining a program I was developing.

My idea was simple: SnewJ’s story could inspire people in prison by showing that, despite obstacles like a criminal record or a challenging background, they could use their time to develop valuable skills.

Those skills could lead to new income streams and opportunities. Instead of being defined by their past, they could transform their struggles into strengths.

SnewJ agreed to collaborate on creating a course for incarcerated individuals. During our conversation, he asked me how I earn a living. When I explained that I live off income generated from investments and speculative trades, he asked if he could feature me in an interview on his channel. I saw this as an excellent chance to connect with a wider audience, so we filmed the interview at my home—just days before I was set to sell it.

This collaboration with Snewj became yet another example of how storytelling and shared experiences can inspire others to rewrite their narratives.

PBS NewsHour

After delivering a keynote presentation at a business conference in California, I was approached by producers from PBS NewsHour. They expressed interest in having me create a presentation for their program, and I eagerly agreed. To make it happen, we needed to coordinate with a correctional facility that utilized our work. I reached out to leaders I had connected with in San Francisco, seeking their assistance in introducing me to the appropriate authorities who could grant PBS NewsHour permission to film inside a jail or prison during my presentation.

At the time, I was also serving as an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and collaborating with Berkeley. The local NBC News station also expressed interest in filming. These efforts underscored the importance of preparation and persistence in overcoming challenges. The resulting media attention amplified our message about the critical need for prison reform, helping to spread awareness on a broader scale.

Through this work, we continue to emphasize that the efforts we make today plant the seeds for meaningful community improvement—impacting lives not just in the present, but for years and decades to come.

Journalists & Influencers

Partnering with Media for Greater Impact

‍I'm available to assist journalists and social influencers seeking credible insights into the criminal justice system. Through interviews, podcasts, and media engagements, I share practical strategies and compelling stories from my own journey, providing your audience with a deeper understanding of prison reform, reentry, and self-advocacy. Let's work together to inspire positive change and improve outcomes for all.

Making an Impact

We create targeted content and resources specifically for the unique needs of each group we serve—including family members, people facing charges, justice-impacted individuals, correctional staff, universities, businesses, and media professionals. All of our content shows that regardless of what challenges a person faces together, we can always work toward better outcomes.