As I approach my 75th birthday, I find myself reflecting on the journey that brought me here.
After my release from prison in 2014, I had $30, a bus ticket, no home, and no job. What began as my own effort to rebuild my life became Witness to Mass Incarceration, an organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people build economic stability, dignity, and opportunity.
This year, instead of birthday gifts, I am asking friends, family, and supporters to make a contribution to Witness to Mass Incarceration.
Our goal is not simply to raise money. Our goal is to build a community of annual supporters who believe that economic opportunity is the foundation of successful reentry and long-term stability.
Together, we have accomplished so much:
The MAP Project
- Created the nation's first online directory of more than 3,800 formerly incarcerated-led businesses, services, artists, and entrepreneurs.
- Provides visibility and economic opportunities to business owners who are too often overlooked and excluded from traditional networks.
The Art of Tailoring & Fashion Design Program
- Graduated four cohorts and trained more than 100 future tailors, fashion designers, and individuals seeking careers in the fashion industry.
- Combines vocational training, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.
Suitcase Sunday
- Our annual outdoor and indoor marketplace featuring approximately 35 formerly incarcerated and system-impacted vendors.
- Six consecutive years of indoor and outdoor events since 2021.
- Creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to sell their products, build their customer base, and connect with the community.
WITNESSGames
- Developed our first computer game, based on my first day in prison and the humiliation of the prison intake process.
- The game received a Webby Award for Social Impact and Public Service.
WITNESSWorks
- Developing a human-centered employment platform designed to connect formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals to long-term employment opportunities.
Style Across the Aisle
- Our students designed custom garments for elected officials who wore them on the runway ahead of New York Fashion Week.
- We are proud to participate for a second consecutive year.
WITNESS SportsCouture
- Our tailoring students are designing custom apparel and expanding opportunities for income generation and career development.
MyBooBoo's Hoodies
- Every Social Justice Paw-rrior should have one.
- Made for the people who believe in justice, compassion, and the unconditional love of dogs.
Hats, Gloves & Socks for Rikers
- Raised more than $45,000 to provide hats, gloves, and socks to approximately 5,600 people incarcerated at Rikers Island.
Eliminating Sexual Violence in Prison
- Convened formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence in prison to ensure their voices, experiences, and recommendations informed advocacy and policy discussions.
Intern & Volunteer Program
- Since 2021, WITNESS has engaged 70–90 interns annually from universities across the country.
- Interns support nearly every aspect of our work, including The MAP Project, Suitcase Sunday, civic engagement, journalism, social media, research, and game development.
- Their talent, dedication, and hard work have helped make many of our accomplishments possible, while introducing a new generation to issues surrounding mass incarceration and reentry.
As I celebrate my 75th birthday, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this work. Every donation helps us create economic opportunity, support entrepreneurship, provide vocational training, and build pathways to long-term stability for people rebuilding their lives.
Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me and for believing in the work of Witness to Mass Incarceration.
Organizer
W
Witness to Mass Incarceration Inc
Beneficiary