In the article, “Ex-Felon, Redemptive Entrepreneur,” Jay Hein brings to life the reality ex-felons face post-prison. These people have to check a box clarifying their “ex-felon” status, often referred to as a “second sentence–the stigma and real restrictions that accompany the formerly incarcerated in job interviews, housing applications, school field trip permission slips, and more.” As imagined, “normal” life is not easily attainable.
CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), Bryan Kelley, had a first-hand, “second sentence” experience when he was denied access into the White House property, due to his history as a felon. The irony of the situation was that he was actually personally invited to the White House for an event surrounding criminal justice reforms. This experience only “fueled his desire to replace second sentences with second chances,” as Hein wrote.
PEP is an Entrepreneurship Program for current prisoners that provides them with opportunities in management education, access to capital, and social networks, all geared towards a Christ-centered character formation. The program is said to be the leading “software” solution in the reentry market today. The process for acceptance into the program is intense, with a 20-page application, a 50-question test, and a 5% acceptance rate, but the results of ex-felons starting businesses from PEP are incredible. From these entrepreneurs, there is an annual economic impact of $122.5 million across the state of Texas. Participants go through a three-month Leadership Academy that reshapes character, a six-month mini-MBA where participants learn the ropes of creating a business and actually develop a business plan, and then participants pitch their business plans to a group of judges in competition. Each participant walks away from the program with an entrepreneurship certificate from Baylor University and a second chance as redemptive entrepreneurs. Bryan Kelley has not only succeeded in shaping his identity into something more than an “ex-felon,” but he has given purpose and success to so many ex-felons in their entrepreneurial dreams and endeavors.
https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/blog/2020/1/3/ex-felon-redemptive-entrepreneur-jay-hein
Check out their website! – https://www.pep.org/
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