Team.
Tarshire Battle
As a former Mental Health Discharge Planner at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, I saw my clients return to prison due to systemic barriers preventing formerly incarcerated folks from gaining employment, dignified housing, and access to basic needs like healthy food and sanitation. Unfortunately, this was a cycle I knew all too well. In the 1990s, my brother served a five-year sentence. Although he was determined to turn his life around, nobody would hire him. With my help co-signing for his first truck, he was able to set up a construction and landscaping company and has run a thriving business ever since, making a point to hire system-impacted individuals. I knew that my brother’s success story could be felt by others, especially Black folks who face even higher barriers due to systemic racism. I believed that a core component of my brother’s success was that his business strategy involved hands-on work that involved creativity and a connection to the earth. That’s why I applied my background as a Master Gardener, herbalist, and master’s degrees in Public Administration from Northeastern University and Mental Health Counseling from Boston University to create Roots 2Empower, an organization centered on providing multi-faceted means of economic empowerment, environmental connection, and food access through education, training, and advocacy.
Kendall Johnson
My name is Kendall Johnson. I’m 33 years old. I served 12 years and a few months in jail from the ages of 20-32. I did 10 years in the Adult Correctional Institution in Rhode Island and two years and change in the federal system at FCI Berlin. I’ve been in medium, maximum, and high security, and spent a year in segregation in high security. I was released April 15, 2021. I hit the ground running. I had two jobs lined up and I was able to obtain a third. I am currently pursuing a business degree at the Community College of Rhode Island. I am also working with the Social Enterprise Greenhouse (in Providence, Rhode Island) to develop a business idea, and I am exploring an opportunity in owning a legal cannabis dispensary.
Eric Larson
Hi everyone. I’m Eric Larson. I’m an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Through my work in the Crime and Justice Studies program I have researched alternative forms of justice and the potential impacts of building worker-owned cooperatives. As a longtime Rhode Island resident, I have participated in community-based research projects about systemic racism and barriers for formerly incarcerated Rhode Islanders, including joint work with Fuerza Laboral/Power of Workers, my students at UMass Dartmouth, and Dr. prabhdeep singh kehal (University of Wisconsin).
Trisha Oliver
Hi, my name is Trisha Oliver. I am 39 years old. I served four years in the womens’ Adult Correctional Institution (Rhode Island). I began my sentence in 2016 and was released on parole in 2020 during the pandemic. At the ACI there was very little training and educational programs for women, and there was no discharge planning upon release, so I came home with nothing but the clothes I went in with. But I was determined. Even though it was difficult I found a low-end job and returned to school. Now I am a manager at a store and I just finished my case management certification from Roger Williams University. I lost two friends to mental health struggles upon their release from prison, and I am passionate about advocating for mental health support for people both in prison and outside.
David-Allen “Bear” Sumner Sr.
My name is David-Allen Sumner (aka Bear). I was released from the ACI in 1991 after doing 13 years of a 40-year sentence. In 1996 I decided to give my life to changing the culture for and of our youth. I have worked in the South Providence community for over 20 years and counting. Most people know me for working at Davey Lopes Recreational Center in South Providence or coaching AAU basketball, or refereeing for the Recreational League. I helped spearhead a program working with troubled teens from the training school and the neighborhoods that were at risk. I also was the first “Street Worker” with the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence with Teny Gross.
Justin Thomas
I am a passionate advocate for former and currently incarcerated men and women. I have experience with Lifespan, Amos House and other local nonprofits, all focused on the support of individuals after and during incarceration. I am also a teacher (and former student, volunteer and AmeriCorps Vista) with Roger Williams University work readiness, transitional program ‘Pivot The Hustle. However, my true passion is video production and using creativity to tell a story. I hold a B.A in Journalism and Mass Communication from NC A&T State University.
Tunji Yerima
My name is Tunji Yerima and I’m a 45 year-old father of 2 boys and I’m a returning citizen from incarceration. I am a member of the Behind the Walls Committee of Direct Action for Rights and Equality and Black and Pink of Providence. The organizations stand up and devote their time to fight against the injustice of yesterday’s norm by seeking today’s and tomorrow’s social justice and criminal justice reform. I am also trying to bring Clean Slate to Rhode Island. This is a movement/law that is sweeping the country. It automatically expunges and/or seals the felonies on individuals’ criminal records.