Eric Hughie

Separated from his wife and children for over three years while incarcerated, Eric Hughie knew

that he had to change his life before going home. He wanted to work shorter hours in order to

show an even greater commitment to his family. With this in mind, Eric Hughie spent his time in

prison creating a second chance for himself.

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Abby Stern
Lorenzo Johnson

For many formerly incarcerated individuals, it can feel like the entire system is stacked against success and freedom. When this is the case, it is easy to give up and much harder to keep fighting back. It takes a person unwilling to bend to the system in order to force the system to bend to the person.

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Evie Litwok
Ismael Diaz Jr.

Running just one business takes an immense level of effort, commitment, and passion. Running two businesses takes an even greater level of innovation. And running three businesses is what happens when a person is not just committed, passionate, and innovative but also naturally driven and naturally talented.

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Abby Stern
Sharon Richardson

Sharon Richardson walked down Jamaica Avenue in Queens with a pocketbook, a cell phone, a MetroCard, an umbrella, and a piece of paper with an address that no longer existed. Tears streamed down her face as she searched for a building that she would never find.

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Abby Stern
Frantz Michel

Formerly incarcerated individuals are often unlikely to receive opportunities as they are disadvantaged by their time away, and not given the benefit of the doubt when they return. That’s why it takes people like Frantz Michel to make sure that those with natural talent, passion, intelligence, and ingenuity can pursue careers and have open paths to success.

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Abby Stern
Jeffrey Deskovic

After sixteen years behind bars, often the greatest casualty is hope. After sixteen years of believing in your own innocence when no one else believes you, the expectation is despair. However, Jeffrey Deskovic never succumbed to this prediction. He never stopped fighting for himself, and now, he will never stop fighting for others.

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Abby Stern