Events

We’ve had some fantastic events in the past that brought our community together, and we’re excited to announce even more amazing gatherings on the horizon! Join us for the upcoming events where you can connect, learn, and have fun with like-minded individuals. Stay tuned for dates and details—we can’t wait to see you there!

Global Reentry Vision Summit

Highlights 2024

Transforming Reentry Together

The Reentry Vision Summit, a global event dedicated to reshaping how we welcome formerly incarcerated individuals back into society was an outstanding success! Through shared best practices, diverse perspectives, and meaningful connections, we will build a reentry process that empowers healing, growth, and positive contributions.

This Year's Theme: The Alpha and the Omega

The Alpha represents a holistic, human-centered approach addressing all aspects of a person's reentry needs. The Omega symbolizes the ultimate goal—restoring dignity, preventing recidivism, and enhancing public safety. Together, we came, we saw, and we CONQUERED!

Keynote Speakers

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Dr. Diana Ribeiro da Silva

Dr. Diana Ribeiro da Silva is a Researcher at the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra (FPCE-UC) and holds a PhD in Forensic Psychology (University of Coimbra). She has been teaching courses related to Forensic Clinical Psychology for graduation and post-graduation degrees. She is also a psychologist at a juvenile detention facility from the Portuguese Ministry of Justice. Her research focus is on studying antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits in youth from an evolutionary-based perspective and developing and testing the efficacy of intervention programs for this population. Her research aims to revolutionize the way researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders look at detention, a unique opportunity to offer these extensively traumatized youth tailored interventions, crucial for their healing, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration.

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The Honorable Judge Stephanie M. Sawyer

Judge Stephanie M. Sawyer, born in Queens, New York, has called Philadelphia home since childhood. A proud product of the Philadelphia public school system and Temple University, she is a single parent whose commitment to community and justice was shaped by her upbringing by a single mother. Inspired by her mother, Juliet Sawyer, who overcame significant hardships to become an economics professor at Cheyney University, Judge Sawyer’s journey from running her law practice to becoming a Court of Common Pleas Judge is a testament to her resilience and dedication to community service. Upon becoming a judge in 2014, Judge Sawyer pioneered Restorative Justice reforms, focusing on integrating nonprofit organizations and social services to reduce recidivism. By 2018, she developed this approach into Resource-Based Sentencing Supervision, which she continues to expand. Judge Sawyer ensures fairness and reliability for every Philadelphian who appears before her.

Michael "Tony" Steptoe

Michael "Tony" Steptoe, originally from Springfield, Ohio, faced a critical decision during his senior year of high school: choosing between college scholarships in football, basketball, and baseball. However, a pivotal evening spent with a different group of peers altered his trajectory drastically. This choice led him into a downward spiral, resulting in over a decade within Ohio Corrections. Despite his circumstances, Steptoe made a transformative decision during his incarceration to rise above his setbacks, referring to this period as his "Beautiful Struggle."

On January 15, 2008, Steptoe emerged from Ross Correctional Institution with remarkable accomplishments: two associate degrees, numerous completed programs, and a profound spiritual connection. Driven by the daily question, "How Bad Do You Want It?" he embarked on a remarkable journey. Steptoe became the first black male graduate from Ohio State School of Aesthetics as a Skin Specialist, launched successful ventures such as Family Food Palace and Lead Strong, a mentoring organization, and joined John Legend's team as his personal stage manager. Despite personal loss and relocation to Virginia, he remains dedicated to speaking in prisons nationwide, aiming to inspire change as he was once inspired.

In 2023, Steptoe is set to finalize his fifth business plan, a pioneering reentry program for prisons across the United States. Through his experiences, Steptoe emphasizes that success stems from disciplined planning and perseverance, illustrating that anyone can achieve their goals with steadfast determination.

The Honorable Judge Denise Hernandez

Judge Denise Hernandez is a trailblazer in the Austin community, serving as the presiding judge of County Court at Law No. 6 in Travis County. She is the first openly
gay Latina to hold a county court bench in Travis County. Judge Hernandez is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and culturally competent judicial system. She leads the Transformative Youth Justice program, a youth diversion initiative that provides holistic, community-centered support for young individuals in the justice system. Judge Hernandez’s journey is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in Houston, she witnessed firsthand the challenges her parents faced within the legal system. These experiences fueled her passion for social justice and her commitment to breaking generational cycles. She is also actively involved in various community organizations, serving as the Chair-Elect for Con Mi
MADRE, Vice Chair for the New Philanthropists, and Co-Chair for the LGBT Law Section of the Austin Bar Association