According to Statista.Com The incarceration rate of Black men in the U.S. has been dropping after reaching a high in 2001. Yet, the rate at which Black U.S. men are imprisoned is still many times that of the white and more than double that of the Hispanic male population, showing huge racial discrepancies in the criminal justice system.
Anthony Jackson is leading by example and making those who exit the prison system aware of opportunities that can change their lives for the better which makes a high chance for them to never enter prison again. Anthony has had the opportunity to work with and be a part of some organizations helping returning citizens. Such as From Prison To Ph.D. which assists people with criminal convictions by way of advocacy, mentoring, and policy change. They inspire people with criminal convictions to excel beyond what society and life circumstances have set to be the norm.
Please tell us about your time participating in the Second Chance Program.
Anthony: I was selected to take part in the very first cohort of The Second Chance Pell Grant Program President Obama enacted. In 2017, I began my freshman year at the University of Baltimore under its Second Chance Program in prison. Since being released in 2020, my journey to inform society about the benefits of college in prisons has been a part of my reentry process.
What was your focus within months of begin released?
Anthony: I worked as a program coordinator for the Prisons to Ph.D. program, a nationwide program and non-profit organization assisting returning citizens with acclimating to society and getting them enrolled into colleges in participant areas.
What are you up to these days?
Anthony: I am currently a full-time entrepreneur while studying Business Administration at The University of Baltimore. I’ve dedicated myself to spreading information about education within prison institutions.
Did you ever feel hesitant to share your story with others?
Anthony: I’ve never been reluctant on telling his story. I was released from prison in December 2020, and I served over 13 years in a state ran institution. I was originally sentenced to 25 years, in 2019 my sentence was modified because of my magnificent transformation. While incarcerated, I took part in coordinating self-help modules for youth offenders and building programs of my own.
I’ve shared my story on podcasts and nationally shipped magazines and will keep sharing my story.
What is a recent accomplishment you’re most proud of?
Anthony: Today, I am proud to say I’m a member of the University of Baltimore’s Helen P. Denit Honors Program.
What else would you like our readers to know about you?
Anthony: I started my vending machine business to earn passive income and exemplify to my family entrepreneurship and being your own boss. As a teenager, I had different jobs but I hated working for someone else. I always felt having my own would aid me on a journey to not only assist myself but my family and others more effectively.
Entrepreneurship has provided many opportunities for me across multiple aspects of my life, both personally and professionally. Developing the willingness to learn is always an opportunity. Markets consistently change which leads to an abundance of new information that must be learned in order for a brand to stay sustainable as markets fluctuate. I’ve also had opportunities to expand my network by meeting different individuals and building meaningful relationships.
Anthony shared with us that life since being released from incarceration has been both great and challenging but overall rewarding. During his incarceration, he became very goal oriented. He would create yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals because ultimately this would provide Anthony with the mental and spiritual atonement needed to succeed.
While challenges are a part of life, there were plenty that Anthony faced and still faces today. Due to his incarceration at a young age, he’s had limited life experience. Some lessons he should’ve learned in his early twenties, and late teens, he’s learned within his first year of release. Understanding and adjusting to technology was challenging as well.
However, Anthony just wants to show returning citizens that he’s there to support them because being released back into society isn’t easy and can be very overwhelming. Giving opportunities to returning citizens are important to their success.
Be sure to connect with Anthony online
Website: https://expeditevendingservices.com/
Also, check out his latest feature via Influential People News
