Panel Track: A Candid Conversation with Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Dr. Topeka K. Sam is the Founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Inc. (@TheLOHM) and founder and President of EPIC Financial PBLLC, TKS Ventures LLC and Faces & Voices Inc.

She serves on the board of directors for The Marshall Project, Operation Restoration, Pure Legacee and United Justice Coalition. She is a strategic advisor for RBIJ and HARP. She is Co-founder and Visionary Officer of FRSH.

Since her release from federal prison on May 5, 2015, Topeka has served as a 2015 Beyond the Bars Fellow and a 2016 Justice-In-Education Scholar both from Columbia University, 2017 Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow, 2018 Unlocked Futures Inaugural Cohort Member, 2018 Opportunity Agenda Communications Institute Fellow, Director of #Dignity for Incarcerated Women Campaign and Senior Advisor for NYUJ.

She hosted "The Topeka K. Sam Show" on SiriusXM Urban View Channel 126 for 3 years and is now developing scripted and unscripted series as an Executive Producer for TV & Film, inspired by her fight to change the many problems that plague female incarceration.

In 2020, the United Nations appointed Topeka as the Goodwill Ambassador for Social Justice (Incarceration Reform) of the Global Festival of Creative Economy. In December 2020, Topeka received a full presidential pardon for her dedication to helping women turn from a path of despair towards a path of redemption.

On May 5th, 2022, Google.org presented her with the first Social Impact Award at the Variety Magazine/Lifetime TV Power of the Women Summit and later that month she also received her Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Sam has worked and continues to work selflessly and relentlessly in her fight for the dignity, decriminalization, and decarceration of women and girls. She has worked and continues to work selflessly and relentlessly in her fight for the dignity, decriminalization, and decarceration of women and girls. All Social Media Handles: @TopekaKSam

Growing up in his South Philadelphia neighborhood, Tyrique Glasgow got caught up in life on the streets -- and was shot 11 times. But in 2011, after five years in prison, he returned home and began helping young people find another path. Now, on the block where he once sold drugs, his Young Chances Foundation runs a community center that’s a safe haven and source of support for the whole neighborhood -- providing free youth programs as well as food, basic necessities, and resources to hundreds of residents every week.

Ms. Cunningham has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration. She served as a justice system practitioner and reentry professional for more than 30 years – holding the top leadership position in two of the largest community corrections agencies in America – Department of Criminal Justice-Parole (Texas) where she led a team of 2400 employees and managed a nearly $200 million budget and the Cook County Adult Probation Department (Chicago) which is in the largest unified court system in the world. She also performed related work in the private and not-for-profit space, including a period at the Vera Institute of Justice. Ms. Cunningham is currently pursuing credentials as a certified meeting planner and a certified association executive. She is a proud member of a number of professional organizations; recipient of numerous awards and recognitions; published in justice industry journals; actively supports three think tanks and task forces; and proudly serves on two volunteer board of directors.

Tony Lewis, Jr. is an author, activist, criminal justice reformer, and reentry expert that has spent his adult life working tirelessly at the intersection of poverty, violence, mass incarceration, and trauma. His 23 years of servant leadership fostering community-based strategies to help prevent violence and increase public safety have brought much needed clarity and solutions to these complex problems. He has fought to create institutional change for those that require it most, while casting a bright light on their needs, hopes, and dreams. In the process, he has built coalitions and developed meaningful relationships with a wide variety of powerful stakeholders across the city and throughout the country. Mr. Lewis’ activism and advocacy has led to legislative/policy changes regarding children with incarcerated parents, voting rights for incarcerated residents, returning citizen hiring/housing, social equity, the arts, and gun violence prevention/intervention. He has been a leader locally and nationally around issues that have impacted communities of color the most. He has traveled the country lecturing about the collateral damage of mass incarceration and gun violence. He has organized efforts to address food insecurity, displacement, and access to opportunity. He has galvanized thousands across all demographics to take on personal responsibility to improve their circumstances and their communities. He has been a bridge and a translator of sorts between government and community. Mr. Lewis has been an example that transformational change is possible and continuous, no matter the circumstances. His work and advocacy have been featured on CNN, BET, The Breakfast Club, The Washington Post, and many media outlets. He resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife Jessica and their daughters Isabella and Sophie.