I’m honored to be with you today to share with you the work of defy ventures
share with you the work of defy ventures
share with you the work of defy ventures where our slogan is transform your
where our slogan is transform your
where our slogan is transform your hustle and if you give me the
hustle and if you give me the
hustle and if you give me the opportunity today I might even transform
opportunity today I might even transform
opportunity today I might even transform a little bit of your hustle so the big
a little bit of your hustle so the big
a little bit of your hustle so the big idea behind defy ventures is that many
idea behind defy ventures is that many
idea behind defy ventures is that many people who are incarcerated are former
people who are incarcerated are former
people who are incarcerated are former drug dealers or gang leaders who
drug dealers or gang leaders who
drug dealers or gang leaders who actually share a lot of similar skill
actually share a lot of similar skill
actually share a lot of similar skill sets with successful legal entrepreneurs
sets with successful legal entrepreneurs
sets with successful legal entrepreneurs like yourselves and if you ask a warden
like yourselves and if you ask a warden
like yourselves and if you ask a warden many of them would tell you that their
many of them would tell you that their
many of them would tell you that their prison cells are filled with
prison cells are filled with
prison cells are filled with natural-born hustlers who have been
natural-born hustlers who have been
natural-born hustlers who have been selling all kinds of stuff illegally and
selling all kinds of stuff illegally and
selling all kinds of stuff illegally and there’s that saying you can’t take the
there’s that saying you can’t take the
there’s that saying you can’t take the hustle out of the hustler so what would
hustle out of the hustler so what would
hustle out of the hustler so what would happen if we actually transformed their
happen if we actually transformed their
happen if we actually transformed their hustle well that’s exactly what we do at
hustle well that’s exactly what we do at
hustle well that’s exactly what we do at defy ventures where we use our love for
defy ventures where we use our love for
defy ventures where we use our love for entrepreneurship and host shark tank
entrepreneurship and host shark tank
entrepreneurship and host shark tank style pitch competitions inside and
style pitch competitions inside and
style pitch competitions inside and outside of prisons and pair it with a
outside of prisons and pair it with a
outside of prisons and pair it with a whole lot of character development to
whole lot of character development to
whole lot of character development to equip men women and youth who are
equip men women and youth who are
equip men women and youth who are incarcerated some of America’s biggest
incarcerated some of America’s biggest
incarcerated some of America’s biggest underdogs to win every single day so
underdogs to win every single day so
underdogs to win every single day so why’d you come here to TEDx San
why’d you come here to TEDx San
why’d you come here to TEDx San Francisco today to be inspired I hate to
Francisco today to be inspired I hate to
Francisco today to be inspired I hate to disappoint you right from the jump but I
disappoint you right from the jump but I
disappoint you right from the jump but I am NOT an inspirational speaker I’m a
am NOT an inspirational speaker I’m a
am NOT an inspirational speaker I’m a social change agent and my wife or being
social change agent and my wife or being
social change agent and my wife or being on this stage right now is to get action
on this stage right now is to get action
on this stage right now is to get action out of you to generate results if you
out of you to generate results if you
out of you to generate results if you are someone who has been complaining
are someone who has been complaining
are someone who has been complaining about the status of our country or if
about the status of our country or if
about the status of our country or if you claim that you hate social or racial
you claim that you hate social or racial
you claim that you hate social or racial injustice
injustice
injustice welcome to defy I’m here today to talk
welcome to defy I’m here today to talk
welcome to defy I’m here today to talk you into coming to prison with me and
you into coming to prison with me and
you into coming to prison with me and becoming a philanthropist a
becoming a philanthropist a
becoming a philanthropist a philanthropist that you’ve always wanted
philanthropist that you’ve always wanted
philanthropist that you’ve always wanted to be in watch out I was trained as a
to be in watch out I was trained as a
to be in watch out I was trained as a teenager by Cutco knives selling knives
teenager by Cutco knives selling knives
teenager by Cutco knives selling knives door-to-door so I’m gonna not smile and
door-to-door so I’m gonna not smile and
door-to-door so I’m gonna not smile and try to get it yes out of you by the time
try to get it yes out of you by the time
try to get it yes out of you by the time I’m done here so now I need a little
I’m done here so now I need a little
I’m done here so now I need a little audience participation and a whole lot
audience participation and a whole lot
audience participation and a whole lot of honesty if by the age of 23
of honesty if by the age of 23
of honesty if by the age of 23 you did something really really stupid
you did something really really stupid
you did something really really stupid that you really regret raise your hand
that you really regret raise your hand
that you really regret raise your hand up I okay that’s what I thought most of
up I okay that’s what I thought most of
up I okay that’s what I thought most of you if you’ve ever been arrested raise
you if you’ve ever been arrested raise
you if you’ve ever been arrested raise your hand
your hand
your hand not so many thank you for your honesty
not so many thank you for your honesty
not so many thank you for your honesty if you’ve done something in your life
if you’ve done something in your life
if you’ve done something in your life for which you could have been arrested
for which you could have been arrested
for which you could have been arrested but you did not get arrested raise your
but you did not get arrested raise your
but you did not get arrested raise your hand up high all the not enos of
hand up high all the not enos of
hand up high all the not enos of tedsters that’s what I thought this is a
tedsters that’s what I thought this is a
tedsters that’s what I thought this is a lot of why I do defy this is my best
lot of why I do defy this is my best
lot of why I do defy this is my best effort at leveling the playing field in
effort at leveling the playing field in
effort at leveling the playing field in America because sadly in our country
America because sadly in our country
America because sadly in our country sometimes people look a little more
sometimes people look a little more
sometimes people look a little more estable than others and my experience if
estable than others and my experience if
estable than others and my experience if you are black or brown or poor you
you are black or brown or poor you
you are black or brown or poor you rarely encounter justice the way that
rarely encounter justice the way that
rarely encounter justice the way that you would if you are white and you’re
you would if you are white and you’re
you would if you are white and you’re rich and you can buy your way out of
rich and you can buy your way out of
rich and you can buy your way out of almost any crime to me that’s not
almost any crime to me that’s not
almost any crime to me that’s not justice what if you were only known for
justice what if you were only known for
justice what if you were only known for the worst thing that you’ve ever done
the worst thing that you’ve ever done
the worst thing that you’ve ever done think about what that is that act what
think about what that is that act what
think about what that is that act what would be the accompanying labels
would be the accompanying labels
would be the accompanying labels what would you be known for for the rest
what would you be known for for the rest
what would you be known for for the rest of your life ex liar fill in the blank
of your life ex liar fill in the blank
of your life ex liar fill in the blank because this is the world that I work in
because this is the world that I work in
because this is the world that I work in the people that I represent and advocate
the people that I represent and advocate
the people that I represent and advocate for they’ve made grave mistakes in their
for they’ve made grave mistakes in their
for they’ve made grave mistakes in their past but then they serve their time they
past but then they serve their time they
past but then they serve their time they pay their debt to society yet they’re
pay their debt to society yet they’re
pay their debt to society yet they’re released from prison and are called
released from prison and are called
released from prison and are called ex-offenders for the rest of their lives
ex-offenders for the rest of their lives
ex-offenders for the rest of their lives and it’s like they’re wearing these
and it’s like they’re wearing these
and it’s like they’re wearing these invisible handcuffs and so many people
invisible handcuffs and so many people
invisible handcuffs and so many people don’t want to hire someone even for a
don’t want to hire someone even for a
don’t want to hire someone even for a mistake that they made in their youth
mistake that they made in their youth
mistake that they made in their youth America which is touted as a world of
America which is touted as a world of
America which is touted as a world of second chances has only 5% of the
second chances has only 5% of the
second chances has only 5% of the world’s population but we have 22% of
world’s population but we have 22% of
world’s population but we have 22% of the incarcerated population and we are
the incarcerated population and we are
the incarcerated population and we are failing miserably in the field of prison
failing miserably in the field of prison
failing miserably in the field of prison rehabilitation of 23 year olds in our
rehabilitation of 23 year olds in our
rehabilitation of 23 year olds in our country 30% of them already have a
country 30% of them already have a
country 30% of them already have a criminal history don’t you think that’s
criminal history don’t you think that’s
criminal history don’t you think that’s a little young to write people off for
a little young to write people off for
a little young to write people off for the rest of their lives and if people
the rest of their lives and if people
the rest of their lives and if people who go behind bars 76.6% of them are
who go behind bars 76.6% of them are
who go behind bars 76.6% of them are really everyone
really everyone
really everyone the statistic that makes me the saddest
the statistic that makes me the saddest
the statistic that makes me the saddest is that 70% of children with
is that 70% of children with
is that 70% of children with incarcerated parents pop follow and
incarcerated parents pop follow and
incarcerated parents pop follow and their parents footsteps to prison it’s
their parents footsteps to prison it’s
their parents footsteps to prison it’s quite a legacy to inherit isn’t it well
quite a legacy to inherit isn’t it well
quite a legacy to inherit isn’t it well legacy did you inherit and what are you
legacy did you inherit and what are you
legacy did you inherit and what are you doing with it some of you might be here
doing with it some of you might be here
doing with it some of you might be here and you’re like yon who cares
and you’re like yon who cares
and you’re like yon who cares people with criminal histories I don’t
people with criminal histories I don’t
people with criminal histories I don’t care if you care about our country I
care if you care about our country I
care if you care about our country I hope that you care about the next
hope that you care about the next
hope that you care about the next generation of children and perhaps you
generation of children and perhaps you
generation of children and perhaps you don’t realize that nearly half of US
don’t realize that nearly half of US
don’t realize that nearly half of US children actually have a parent who has
children actually have a parent who has
children actually have a parent who has a criminal history and that’s why at
a criminal history and that’s why at
a criminal history and that’s why at defy we don’t just teach
defy we don’t just teach
defy we don’t just teach entrepreneurship but we actually teach
entrepreneurship but we actually teach
entrepreneurship but we actually teach parenting so that our men can become the
parenting so that our men can become the
parenting so that our men can become the parents that we need they’re role models
parents that we need they’re role models
parents that we need they’re role models the entrepreneurs the employers the
the entrepreneurs the employers the
the entrepreneurs the employers the employees the voices that our
employees the voices that our
employees the voices that our communities need so much and that’s how
communities need so much and that’s how
communities need so much and that’s how we’re reversing generations of
we’re reversing generations of
we’re reversing generations of incarceration and violence and poverty
incarceration and violence and poverty
incarceration and violence and poverty and many philanthropists like to fund
and many philanthropists like to fund
and many philanthropists like to fund after-school kids programs for at-risk
after-school kids programs for at-risk
after-school kids programs for at-risk youth and that’s great but I have yet to
youth and that’s great but I have yet to
youth and that’s great but I have yet to ever see a single after-school Kids
ever see a single after-school Kids
ever see a single after-school Kids program that is more effective than a
program that is more effective than a
program that is more effective than a committed parent who’s teaching the
committed parent who’s teaching the
committed parent who’s teaching the values to their own child that’s why we
values to their own child that’s why we
values to their own child that’s why we do what we do at defy and how it’s not
do what we do at defy and how it’s not
do what we do at defy and how it’s not just men we serve the ladies do so they
just men we serve the ladies do so they
just men we serve the ladies do so they can become the proud mothers that they
can become the proud mothers that they
can become the proud mothers that they have always wanted to be and
have always wanted to be and
have always wanted to be and collectively this is our way of making
collectively this is our way of making
collectively this is our way of making America great again don’t hate don’t
America great again don’t hate don’t
America great again don’t hate don’t hate this is just a little prisoner I
hate this is just a little prisoner I
hate this is just a little prisoner I thought it was sent to me and I thought
thought it was sent to me and I thought
thought it was sent to me and I thought it was kind of funny so I’m gonna tell
it was kind of funny so I’m gonna tell
it was kind of funny so I’m gonna tell you my story about how I got started in
you my story about how I got started in
you my story about how I got started in this work when I was 12 years old a good
this work when I was 12 years old a good
this work when I was 12 years old a good friend of mine was brutally murdered
friend of mine was brutally murdered
friend of mine was brutally murdered I thought anyone in prison was like the
I thought anyone in prison was like the
I thought anyone in prison was like the scum of the earth they could rot and die
scum of the earth they could rot and die
scum of the earth they could rot and die in that place so I never thought I’d be
in that place so I never thought I’d be
in that place so I never thought I’d be doing this I used to work in venture
doing this I used to work in venture
doing this I used to work in venture capital and private equity and when I
capital and private equity and when I
capital and private equity and when I was 26 and blonde I was invited on a
was 26 and blonde I was invited on a
was 26 and blonde I was invited on a tour of a Texas prison and I found
tour of a Texas prison and I found
tour of a Texas prison and I found myself surrounded by amazing human
myself surrounded by amazing human
myself surrounded by amazing human potential people I believe our America’s
potential people I believe our America’s
potential people I believe our America’s most overlooked talent pool biggest
most overlooked talent pool biggest
most overlooked talent pool biggest underdogs and so I jumped ship from my
underdogs and so I jumped ship from my
underdogs and so I jumped ship from my fancy New York private equity job I
fancy New York private equity job I
fancy New York private equity job I moved to Texas I poured out
moved to Texas I poured out
moved to Texas I poured out my whole bank account I had $50,000 into
my whole bank account I had $50,000 into
my whole bank account I had $50,000 into starting what became prison
starting what became prison
starting what became prison entrepreneurship program or PEP in Texas
entrepreneurship program or PEP in Texas
entrepreneurship program or PEP in Texas and over the next five years under my
and over the next five years under my
and over the next five years under my leadership we generated some of the
leadership we generated some of the
leadership we generated some of the strongest results and prison
strongest results and prison
strongest results and prison rehabilitation with a recidivism rate of
rehabilitation with a recidivism rate of
rehabilitation with a recidivism rate of less than five percent I lived my life
less than five percent I lived my life
less than five percent I lived my life for graduation day for half of our men
for graduation day for half of our men
for graduation day for half of our men they’d never been in a cap and gown
they’d never been in a cap and gown
they’d never been in a cap and gown before and we recruited their families
before and we recruited their families
before and we recruited their families to celebrate one of the biggest
to celebrate one of the biggest
to celebrate one of the biggest accomplishments of their lives and
accomplishments of their lives and
accomplishments of their lives and before the graduation I had negotiated
before the graduation I had negotiated
before the graduation I had negotiated with a warden for approval for our guys
with a warden for approval for our guys
with a warden for approval for our guys to decorate these little teddy bear
to decorate these little teddy bear
to decorate these little teddy bear t-shirts and then at one point in the
t-shirts and then at one point in the
t-shirts and then at one point in the graduation ceremony I get our proud dads
graduation ceremony I get our proud dads
graduation ceremony I get our proud dads up there on the stage armed with their
up there on the stage armed with their
up there on the stage armed with their teddy bears and I would say to all the
teddy bears and I would say to all the
teddy bears and I would say to all the kiddos in the audience if you see your
kiddos in the audience if you see your
kiddos in the audience if you see your daddy up on stage right now run up to
daddy up on stage right now run up to
daddy up on stage right now run up to him here’s a good gift to give you and
him here’s a good gift to give you and
him here’s a good gift to give you and the dad said scoop their arms and their
the dad said scoop their arms and their
the dad said scoop their arms and their kids into their arms and say I love you
kids into their arms and say I love you
kids into their arms and say I love you and I will never leave you again so
and I will never leave you again so
and I will never leave you again so another reason I do this work is because
another reason I do this work is because
another reason I do this work is because of my love and appreciation of good
of my love and appreciation of good
of my love and appreciation of good parenting but I’m no longer at PEP in
parenting but I’m no longer at PEP in
parenting but I’m no longer at PEP in Texas I’m now at defy and I wish that I
Texas I’m now at defy and I wish that I
Texas I’m now at defy and I wish that I could tell you that it’s because I’m an
could tell you that it’s because I’m an
could tell you that it’s because I’m an aggressive social entrepreneur which is
aggressive social entrepreneur which is
aggressive social entrepreneur which is true you wanted to bring national and
true you wanted to bring national and
true you wanted to bring national and healing opportunities all over this
healing opportunities all over this
healing opportunities all over this country but that question that I asked
country but that question that I asked
country but that question that I asked you earlier became my story what would
you earlier became my story what would
you earlier became my story what would it be like if you were only known for
it be like if you were only known for
it be like if you were only known for that worst thing so I had been married
that worst thing so I had been married
that worst thing so I had been married for nine years and at thirty-one I found
for nine years and at thirty-one I found
for nine years and at thirty-one I found myself unexpectedly divorced something I
myself unexpectedly divorced something I
myself unexpectedly divorced something I said would never happen and after
said would never happen and after
said would never happen and after receiving my divorce papers I didn’t
receiving my divorce papers I didn’t
receiving my divorce papers I didn’t handle myself in a way that made me
handle myself in a way that made me
handle myself in a way that made me proud I ended up having some
proud I ended up having some
proud I ended up having some relationships with people who had gotten
relationships with people who had gotten
relationships with people who had gotten out of the Texas prison system a
out of the Texas prison system a
out of the Texas prison system a decision I regret to this day I knew
decision I regret to this day I knew
decision I regret to this day I knew better I was honest about my choices and
better I was honest about my choices and
better I was honest about my choices and what I did was not illegal that it was a
what I did was not illegal that it was a
what I did was not illegal that it was a bad leadership decision and when the
bad leadership decision and when the
bad leadership decision and when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice found out about my mistakes they forced
found out about my mistakes they forced
found out about my mistakes they forced my resignation in the media nationally
my resignation in the media nationally
my resignation in the media nationally so instead of being known for the good
so instead of being known for the good
so instead of being known for the good work that I had poured my life into I
work that I had poured my life into I
work that I had poured my life into I was not now known for what became a sex
was not now known for what became a sex
was not now known for what became a sex scandal I was so covered in the thickest
scandal I was so covered in the thickest
scandal I was so covered in the thickest wall of
wall of
wall of shame that I didn’t want to live anymore
shame that I didn’t want to live anymore
shame that I didn’t want to live anymore but what saved my life was that before
but what saved my life was that before
but what saved my life was that before my story hit the news I sent out my
my story hit the news I sent out my
my story hit the news I sent out my mistakes in a full disclosure letter to
mistakes in a full disclosure letter to
mistakes in a full disclosure letter to her 7500 supporters who wrote back we
her 7500 supporters who wrote back we
her 7500 supporters who wrote back we love you we stand with you you’ve always
love you we stand with you you’ve always
love you we stand with you you’ve always preached grace in second chances what
preached grace in second chances what
preached grace in second chances what are you doing next I don’t have a plan B
are you doing next I don’t have a plan B
are you doing next I don’t have a plan B I don’t know I went through a whole lot
I don’t know I went through a whole lot
I don’t know I went through a whole lot more therapy than I care to admit over
more therapy than I care to admit over
more therapy than I care to admit over the next year I moved back to New York
the next year I moved back to New York
the next year I moved back to New York City I got an offer to go back into
City I got an offer to go back into
City I got an offer to go back into venture capital but I felt like a
venture capital but I felt like a
venture capital but I felt like a sellout the minute that I got that offer
sellout the minute that I got that offer
sellout the minute that I got that offer because I know why God has put me on
because I know why God has put me on
because I know why God has put me on earth so seven years ago feeling as
earth so seven years ago feeling as
earth so seven years ago feeling as insecure as ever what will people say
insecure as ever what will people say
insecure as ever what will people say about me after this scandal
about me after this scandal
about me after this scandal I found it defy ventures and defy is my
I found it defy ventures and defy is my
I found it defy ventures and defy is my 2.0 it’s my second chance to give second
2.0 it’s my second chance to give second
2.0 it’s my second chance to give second chances some people say we’re in the
chances some people say we’re in the
chances some people say we’re in the second-chance business but if you
second-chance business but if you
second-chance business but if you actually knew the back stories of the
actually knew the back stories of the
actually knew the back stories of the men and women that we serve you might
men and women that we serve you might
men and women that we serve you might realize that we are more often in the
realize that we are more often in the
realize that we are more often in the business of legitimate first chances so
business of legitimate first chances so
business of legitimate first chances so what do we do at defy our program in
what do we do at defy our program in
what do we do at defy our program in prison is called CEO of your new life
prison is called CEO of your new life
prison is called CEO of your new life where we teach entrepreneurship an
where we teach entrepreneurship an
where we teach entrepreneurship an employment readiness character
employment readiness character
employment readiness character development reentry preparation and
development reentry preparation and
development reentry preparation and family reunification we have a hundred
family reunification we have a hundred
family reunification we have a hundred courses taught on video by some of the
courses taught on video by some of the
courses taught on video by some of the nation’s best experts we’re so spoiled I
nation’s best experts we’re so spoiled I
nation’s best experts we’re so spoiled I can’t even believe it Seth Godin Harvard
can’t even believe it Seth Godin Harvard
can’t even believe it Seth Godin Harvard and Stanford MBA professors teaching our
and Stanford MBA professors teaching our
and Stanford MBA professors teaching our people Preet Bharara who’s fired by
people Preet Bharara who’s fired by
people Preet Bharara who’s fired by Trump is part of our volunteer faculty
Trump is part of our volunteer faculty
Trump is part of our volunteer faculty and when our graduates finish defy they
and when our graduates finish defy they
and when our graduates finish defy they average an eighth grade formal education
average an eighth grade formal education
average an eighth grade formal education but our curriculum has been vetted by
but our curriculum has been vetted by
but our curriculum has been vetted by Baylor University’s MBA program and when
Baylor University’s MBA program and when
Baylor University’s MBA program and when they earn that certificate it ends up
they earn that certificate it ends up
they earn that certificate it ends up being usually the proudest moment of
being usually the proudest moment of
being usually the proudest moment of their lives and it’s that much sweeter
their lives and it’s that much sweeter
their lives and it’s that much sweeter because it’s done in the presence of
because it’s done in the presence of
because it’s done in the presence of their families who are so proud of them
their families who are so proud of them
their families who are so proud of them this photo right here is of a Pelican
this photo right here is of a Pelican
this photo right here is of a Pelican Bay State Prison solitary confinement
Bay State Prison solitary confinement
Bay State Prison solitary confinement unit also called the Shu where we work
unit also called the Shu where we work
unit also called the Shu where we work this is one of our business volunteers
this is one of our business volunteers
this is one of our business volunteers providing business coaching right before
providing business coaching right before
providing business coaching right before the shark tank in the Shu the warden at
the shark tank in the Shu the warden at
the shark tank in the Shu the warden at Pelican Bay took a big risk on the day
Pelican Bay took a big risk on the day
Pelican Bay took a big risk on the day of the graduation because he wanted
of the graduation because he wanted
of the graduation because he wanted is meant to have a proper graduation in
is meant to have a proper graduation in
is meant to have a proper graduation in a cap and gown he took them out of
a cap and gown he took them out of
a cap and gown he took them out of solitary confinement and for some of our
solitary confinement and for some of our
solitary confinement and for some of our men it was their first time seeing the
men it was their first time seeing the
men it was their first time seeing the sky in 11 years and this man’s name is
sky in 11 years and this man’s name is
sky in 11 years and this man’s name is Mike and he won the competition on that
Mike and he won the competition on that
Mike and he won the competition on that day and he delivered proudly in front of
day and he delivered proudly in front of
day and he delivered proudly in front of a very special guest her name is Eden
a very special guest her name is Eden
a very special guest her name is Eden she’s his 19 year old daughter when Eden
she’s his 19 year old daughter when Eden
she’s his 19 year old daughter when Eden was only nine years old her daddy was
was only nine years old her daddy was
was only nine years old her daddy was locked up and this photo here is of the
locked up and this photo here is of the
locked up and this photo here is of the first hug that she’s gotten to give her
first hug that she’s gotten to give her
first hug that she’s gotten to give her dad in the last 10 years because before
dad in the last 10 years because before
dad in the last 10 years because before that it was across four inches of glass
that it was across four inches of glass
that it was across four inches of glass Eden said that her dad’s graduation was
Eden said that her dad’s graduation was
Eden said that her dad’s graduation was the best day of her life
the best day of her life
the best day of her life so the defi love doesn’t stop at the
so the defi love doesn’t stop at the
so the defi love doesn’t stop at the prison walls when our men and women get
prison walls when our men and women get
prison walls when our men and women get out of prison we hook them up with jobs
out of prison we hook them up with jobs
out of prison we hook them up with jobs executive mentors we bring them on the
executive mentors we bring them on the
executive mentors we bring them on the most amazing field trips to all these
most amazing field trips to all these
most amazing field trips to all these companies like Google that photo is of
companies like Google that photo is of
companies like Google that photo is of our grads up at Harvard Business School
our grads up at Harvard Business School
our grads up at Harvard Business School being taught by the very best and we’ve
being taught by the very best and we’ve
being taught by the very best and we’ve achieved our results by recruiting some
achieved our results by recruiting some
achieved our results by recruiting some of the nation’s top leaders like Sheryl
of the nation’s top leaders like Sheryl
of the nation’s top leaders like Sheryl Sandberg here in prison with us to turn
Sandberg here in prison with us to turn
Sandberg here in prison with us to turn into advocates for prison reform we have
into advocates for prison reform we have
into advocates for prison reform we have 4,400 volunteers on a hoping to add to
4,400 volunteers on a hoping to add to
4,400 volunteers on a hoping to add to the ranks today with all of you and
the ranks today with all of you and
the ranks today with all of you and we’ve been recognized in all types of
we’ve been recognized in all types of
we’ve been recognized in all types of media for second chances and nice
media for second chances and nice
media for second chances and nice results and we were featured as one of
results and we were featured as one of
results and we were featured as one of the 25 most disruptive companies of the
the 25 most disruptive companies of the
the 25 most disruptive companies of the year in ink magazine were the only
year in ink magazine were the only
year in ink magazine were the only nonprofit that made the list because we
nonprofit that made the list because we
nonprofit that made the list because we have a 95 percent employment rate for
have a 95 percent employment rate for
have a 95 percent employment rate for our men and women who are coming home
our men and women who are coming home
our men and women who are coming home and a 3.2 percent recidivism rate which
and a 3.2 percent recidivism rate which
and a 3.2 percent recidivism rate which I believe is the lowest of any prison
I believe is the lowest of any prison
I believe is the lowest of any prison rehabilitation program in the country
rehabilitation program in the country
rehabilitation program in the country and we’re saving taxpayers bundles of
and we’re saving taxpayers bundles of
and we’re saving taxpayers bundles of money our cost per head for one
money our cost per head for one
money our cost per head for one scholarship is only $500 compare that to
scholarship is only $500 compare that to
scholarship is only $500 compare that to the cost that you California taxpayers
the cost that you California taxpayers
the cost that you California taxpayers pay seventy two thousand dollars to lock
pay seventy two thousand dollars to lock
pay seventy two thousand dollars to lock up one person for one year we’ve
up one person for one year we’ve
up one person for one year we’ve incubated and financed 170 companies by
incubated and financed 170 companies by
incubated and financed 170 companies by our released graduates their businesses
our released graduates their businesses
our released graduates their businesses have been so successful that they have
have been so successful that they have
have been so successful that they have created 370 job opportunities for other
created 370 job opportunities for other
created 370 job opportunities for other release men and women I might tell you
release men and women I might tell you
release men and women I might tell you about a couple of six
about a couple of six
about a couple of six stories if we go back to the slide one
stories if we go back to the slide one
stories if we go back to the slide one of our one of our graduates is in our
of our one of our graduates is in our
of our one of our graduates is in our audience right now and he founded a
audience right now and he founded a
audience right now and he founded a company called prison bars while doing
company called prison bars while doing
company called prison bars while doing five years of prison time he came up
five years of prison time he came up
five years of prison time he came up with this a recipe for criminally
with this a recipe for criminally
with this a recipe for criminally delicious granola bars of which he sold
delicious granola bars of which he sold
delicious granola bars of which he sold thousands throughout the country
and if I could show you on the slides if
and if I could show you on the slides if your company needs any trade show
your company needs any trade show
your company needs any trade show displays then you would see project
displays then you would see project
displays then you would see project trade show look it up it’s the name of a
trade show look it up it’s the name of a
trade show look it up it’s the name of a company in the Bay Area he’s made three
company in the Bay Area he’s made three
company in the Bay Area he’s made three hundred thousand dollars in revenue in
hundred thousand dollars in revenue in
hundred thousand dollars in revenue in just his first year out of prison ok
just his first year out of prison ok
just his first year out of prison ok there’s stuff that sunberg right there
there’s stuff that sunberg right there
there’s stuff that sunberg right there he’s in our audience and project trade
he’s in our audience and project trade
he’s in our audience and project trade show we’re a proud customer of there’s
show we’re a proud customer of there’s
show we’re a proud customer of there’s three hundred thousand dollars in
three hundred thousand dollars in
three hundred thousand dollars in revenue and now I’d like to share with
revenue and now I’d like to share with
revenue and now I’d like to share with you the success story of our best known
you the success story of our best known
you the success story of our best known graduate costs hard day
we’re up two blocks away from here and
we’re up two blocks away from here and back in a day or you hear these sirens
back in a day or you hear these sirens
back in a day or you hear these sirens drug mines actually coming up this
drug mines actually coming up this
drug mines actually coming up this building we lived under the poverty line
building we lived under the poverty line
building we lived under the poverty line my mom didn’t have much she worked in a
my mom didn’t have much she worked in a
my mom didn’t have much she worked in a factory she would ask me you know what
factory she would ask me you know what
factory she would ask me you know what do you want to do when you grow up and I
do you want to do when you grow up and I
do you want to do when you grow up and I told him I want to be rich the first
told him I want to be rich the first
told him I want to be rich the first opportunity that I had to become rich
opportunity that I had to become rich
opportunity that I had to become rich was to the world of drug I started at
was to the world of drug I started at
was to the world of drug I started at eleven smoking weed getting involved
eleven smoking weed getting involved
eleven smoking weed getting involved heavily with coke and crack and I
heavily with coke and crack and I
heavily with coke and crack and I started selling crack right on his back
started selling crack right on his back
started selling crack right on his back we rode out to a multi-million dollar
we rode out to a multi-million dollar
we rode out to a multi-million dollar company at the age of 19 I was making
company at the age of 19 I was making
company at the age of 19 I was making over two million dollars a year 23 I was
over two million dollars a year 23 I was
over two million dollars a year 23 I was charged with one of the largest drug
charged with one of the largest drug
charged with one of the largest drug delivery services in New York City he
delivery services in New York City he
delivery services in New York City he charged as a kingpin went into prison
charged as a kingpin went into prison
charged as a kingpin went into prison the doctors told me that cholesterol
the doctors told me that cholesterol
the doctors told me that cholesterol levels was so bad that I could have died
levels was so bad that I could have died
levels was so bad that I could have died within five years I was sentenced to
within five years I was sentenced to
within five years I was sentenced to seven years in prison and I said I was
seven years in prison and I said I was
seven years in prison and I said I was not gonna die in prison I started doing
not gonna die in prison I started doing
not gonna die in prison I started doing push-ups dips with the limited space
push-ups dips with the limited space
push-ups dips with the limited space that I had and began moving
in lost 70 pounds in six months I caught
in lost 70 pounds in six months I caught the eyes from other image helped over 20
the eyes from other image helped over 20
the eyes from other image helped over 20 M and Sue’s over a thousand pounds
M and Sue’s over a thousand pounds
M and Sue’s over a thousand pounds combined and I came up with the idea
combined and I came up with the idea
combined and I came up with the idea while I was in solitary confinement and
while I was in solitary confinement and
while I was in solitary confinement and I wanted to create something special and
I wanted to create something special and
I wanted to create something special and different so I came up with calm body
different so I came up with calm body
different so I came up with calm body today we hire four men incarcerated
today we hire four men incarcerated
today we hire four men incarcerated individuals I felt the same pain coming
individuals I felt the same pain coming
individuals I felt the same pain coming home I couldn’t find a job everybody was
home I couldn’t find a job everybody was
home I couldn’t find a job everybody was shutting the door behind me because of
shutting the door behind me because of
shutting the door behind me because of my record giving them an opportunity and
my record giving them an opportunity and
my record giving them an opportunity and a second chance started calm body and
a second chance started calm body and
a second chance started calm body and now it’s taken off I want to help as
now it’s taken off I want to help as
now it’s taken off I want to help as many formerly incarcerated people as
many formerly incarcerated people as
many formerly incarcerated people as possible and give them a second chance
possible and give them a second chance
possible and give them a second chance so sign up and join us come to the time
so sign up and join us come to the time
so sign up and join us come to the time peace
thank you we felt costs raised $250,000
thank you we felt costs raised $250,000 and he has 14,000 customers and this
and he has 14,000 customers and this
and he has 14,000 customers and this year alone now we have served 2,500 IITs
year alone now we have served 2,500 IITs
year alone now we have served 2,500 IITs that sends for entrepreneurs in training
that sends for entrepreneurs in training
that sends for entrepreneurs in training what we call our people and our vision
what we call our people and our vision
what we call our people and our vision is highly scalable we rolled out in 30
is highly scalable we rolled out in 30
is highly scalable we rolled out in 30 prisons all over the country and I just
prisons all over the country and I just
prisons all over the country and I just recently turned 40 and this morning I
recently turned 40 and this morning I
recently turned 40 and this morning I actually found out that I was given the
actually found out that I was given the
actually found out that I was given the Forbes 40 over 40 award not sure how I
Forbes 40 over 40 award not sure how I
Forbes 40 over 40 award not sure how I feel about that but anyway by the age of
feel about that but anyway by the age of
feel about that but anyway by the age of 53 I have plans to roll out defy in
53 I have plans to roll out defy in
53 I have plans to roll out defy in every major prison in America and also
every major prison in America and also
every major prison in America and also provide post release services everywhere
provide post release services everywhere
provide post release services everywhere and since I know that some of the TEDx
and since I know that some of the TEDx
and since I know that some of the TEDx audience is international here’s a photo
audience is international here’s a photo
audience is international here’s a photo of defy where global ich in Kenya where
of defy where global ich in Kenya where
of defy where global ich in Kenya where we’ve served in three prisons and what
we’ve served in three prisons and what
we’ve served in three prisons and what keeps me up at night this right here is
keeps me up at night this right here is
keeps me up at night this right here is a photo of women that I met in a
a photo of women that I met in a
a photo of women that I met in a Brazilian prison we’re not serving there
Brazilian prison we’re not serving there
Brazilian prison we’re not serving there yet
yet
yet they’re incarcerated there with their
they’re incarcerated there with their
they’re incarcerated there with their babies and they said to me please don’t
babies and they said to me please don’t
babies and they said to me please don’t forget about me and I haven’t and nearly
forget about me and I haven’t and nearly
forget about me and I haven’t and nearly every prison that I walk into I met with
every prison that I walk into I met with
every prison that I walk into I met with people who say did you get my letters
people who say did you get my letters
people who say did you get my letters I’ve been praying every day for a second
I’ve been praying every day for a second
I’ve been praying every day for a second chance for an opportunity like this and
chance for an opportunity like this and
chance for an opportunity like this and we have long wait lists to serve these
we have long wait lists to serve these
we have long wait lists to serve these people who want nothing more than a
people who want nothing more than a
people who want nothing more than a second chance I need some help sometimes
second chance I need some help sometimes
second chance I need some help sometimes when people hear this message they say
when people hear this message they say
when people hear this message they say I’m so inspired how am i great inspired
I’m so inspired how am i great inspired
I’m so inspired how am i great inspired to do what so I’m about to try to close
to do what so I’m about to try to close
to do what so I’m about to try to close you so please whip out your cell phones
you so please whip out your cell phones
you so please whip out your cell phones because you won’t want to miss out if
because you won’t want to miss out if
because you won’t want to miss out if you choose to come to prison with me you
you choose to come to prison with me you
you choose to come to prison with me you will be met by the warmest audience of
will be met by the warmest audience of
will be met by the warmest audience of budding entrepreneurs who have so much
budding entrepreneurs who have so much
budding entrepreneurs who have so much energy and excitement for their new
energy and excitement for their new
energy and excitement for their new futures where sometimes even a little
futures where sometimes even a little
futures where sometimes even a little hip certainly unconventional and I would
hip certainly unconventional and I would
hip certainly unconventional and I would love for you to come so we’re gonna do
love for you to come so we’re gonna do
love for you to come so we’re gonna do another raise your hand thing get your
another raise your hand thing get your
another raise your hand thing get your answer in your head right now because
answer in your head right now because
answer in your head right now because I’m about to ask you are you gonna do
I’m about to ask you are you gonna do
I’m about to ask you are you gonna do nothing are you gonna do something if I
nothing are you gonna do something if I
nothing are you gonna do something if I give you a choice to do something that
give you a choice to do something that
give you a choice to do something that you are perfectly capable of doing are
you are perfectly capable of doing are
you are perfectly capable of doing are you gonna say yes all those of you who
you gonna say yes all those of you who
you gonna say yes all those of you who are gonna do absolutely nothing after
are gonna do absolutely nothing after
are gonna do absolutely nothing after hearing
hearing
hearing this raise your hand right now the power
this raise your hand right now the power
this raise your hand right now the power of fear pressure all right then on the
of fear pressure all right then on the
of fear pressure all right then on the flipside all those of you if I give you
flipside all those of you if I give you
flipside all those of you if I give you an option to do something that you’re
an option to do something that you’re
an option to do something that you’re capable of doing how many of you are
capable of doing how many of you are
capable of doing how many of you are gonna consider saying yes raise your
gonna consider saying yes raise your
gonna consider saying yes raise your hands no alligator arms hold them up I
hands no alligator arms hold them up I
hands no alligator arms hold them up I look around because that’s why I’m here
look around because that’s why I’m here
look around because that’s why I’m here and see the difference that we can make
and see the difference that we can make
and see the difference that we can make here through TEDx San Francisco alone
here through TEDx San Francisco alone
here through TEDx San Francisco alone I’m really grateful for that so here’s
I’m really grateful for that so here’s
I’m really grateful for that so here’s your menu please whip out your cell
your menu please whip out your cell
your menu please whip out your cell phone you can come to prison with me or
phone you can come to prison with me or
phone you can come to prison with me or you can provide a scholarship one
you can provide a scholarship one
you can provide a scholarship one scholarship is $500 and if you provide
scholarship is $500 and if you provide
scholarship is $500 and if you provide an opportunity to one person it will
an opportunity to one person it will
an opportunity to one person it will result in this what Andrew said the
result in this what Andrew said the
result in this what Andrew said the feeling was unexplainable to be able to
feeling was unexplainable to be able to
feeling was unexplainable to be able to dance with my son on that stage he still
dance with my son on that stage he still
dance with my son on that stage he still talks about it to this day how he was
talks about it to this day how he was
talks about it to this day how he was able to hug me lots of times
able to hug me lots of times
able to hug me lots of times thank you for helping me better myself
thank you for helping me better myself
thank you for helping me better myself teaching me to become an entrepreneur
teaching me to become an entrepreneur
teaching me to become an entrepreneur and reuniting me with my family my name
and reuniting me with my family my name
and reuniting me with my family my name is Kat Hoch see hope conveniently choked
is Kat Hoch see hope conveniently choked
is Kat Hoch see hope conveniently choked I actually do i I do Brazilian Jujitsu
I actually do i I do Brazilian Jujitsu
I actually do i I do Brazilian Jujitsu for fun so you’ll remember choke at de 5
for fun so you’ll remember choke at de 5
for fun so you’ll remember choke at de 5 entries org and just write I’m in and
entries org and just write I’m in and
entries org and just write I’m in and then tell me what you’re in for tell me
then tell me what you’re in for tell me
then tell me what you’re in for tell me how many scholarships you can give
how many scholarships you can give
how many scholarships you can give because some of you can do more than one
because some of you can do more than one
because some of you can do more than one and come to prison and I will tell you
and come to prison and I will tell you
and come to prison and I will tell you that I live for the day when I hear from
that I live for the day when I hear from
that I live for the day when I hear from our defi kids I want to be just like my
our defi kids I want to be just like my
our defi kids I want to be just like my daddy I’m gonna take over the family
daddy I’m gonna take over the family
daddy I’m gonna take over the family business one day thank you very much
business one day thank you very much
business one day thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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