Estes Winter 2026 Weekly Journals

Monday                                                                                                      December 29, 2025

Today was our first class back since our Christmas party. Everyone was in high spirits, greeting each other and catching up on our Christmas. Once we got loose on the dance floor, we prayed in and got back to business.

First off was our Chapter 4 test for Living in the Village – we were given a 12-minute time limit to complete it. While we waited for the Servant-Leaders to reorganize the seats, we compared answers to get a rough estimate of our success.

Next up was Chaplain Bruce T. on the microphone to go over Chapters 5 and 7 of Living in the Village, getting us ready for next week’s tests. Chapter 5 was about the importance of preparing a will and the exact definition of Power of Attorney. Chapter 6 covered building our credit scores and what they can affect, such as apartment rentals.

After Chaplain Bruce T. got us ready for next week’s Living in the Village test, Jeffery L. (aka “The Weather Man”) was up to bat. He gave us this week’s schedule, as well as a rough outline of what to expect next week. We have a lot of recording to complete this week. We also have several executives coming in to go over the next two chapters of our entrepreneurship textbook. Wednesday we’ll test on Chapters 5 and 11 because of the New Year’s vacation. After completing our pitch recordings, we should almost be back on schedule.

David F. spoke to us about staying focused with the holidays almost over. We made it through a very hard time of the year together, so let’s finish strong and make sure we keep moving toward the finish line together.

John H. (aka “Cotton from King of the Hill”)

Tuesday                                                                                                     December 30, 2025

It was a great day here at the Estes Unit. We set our sails toward success as we are all aboard the boat of PEP, with families and friends included. We started our day with a call to the back of the room.

We stretched our limbs in the sweet light and air of God’s free world. Dark servitude has ended, and glorious liberty has begun. We here at PEP have committed to educating ourselves and one another, holding each other accountable and leading with love.

In class today, we had two guest speakers. For the first half, Mike B. taught us Chapter 9 from our textbook Entrepreneurship. He was fun and filled his lesson with jokes to keep us engaged. The second half was taught by Michele G. after lunch. She had lots of energy throughout her lesson, and it was exciting to listen to her as she taught us the material in Chapter 12.

Even though it was our day to head to commissary, we gained more knowledge and fed our brains with useful information. Back at the dorm, we formed study groups throughout the dayroom in preparation for the test in the morning. We also pitched to each other to get each other ready for the upcoming pitch competition. The CEOs are excited and ready to see what the other teams have to offer. Dedication to learning someone else’s business and pitch can be challenging, so good luck to all the teams involved. Becoming a force to be reckoned with is a clear definition of being a team player.

In conclusion, this beautiful day marked an important step in this short but strong journey that we started with strangers and, only halfway through, has turned into some of the closest people in one another’s life.

Tyrrence H. (aka “Alicia Keys”)

Wednesday                                                                                               December 31, 2025

Test day. After having a short but blessed holiday break, it was back to work as usual. Today we had our entrepreneurship and Economics of One Unit (EOU) tests. It was also commissary day for our pod, so today was jam-packed with time management. Luckily, PEP has taught us how to manage our time wisely. Our day started at 5 a.m. for breakfast. We managed to get an early study session in as well. We showed our commitment to excellence, one of our 10 Driving Values, as we studied to earn the highest test scores and GPAs out of the whole class. When we tested, we were divided into two different groups, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Today, we tested in the afternoon, and this worked in our favor because we were called out to commissary first thing. You could see the relief on our faces as we were able to restock our lockers. As the time neared for us to head down to the classroom and test, the nervous energy was palpable. We knew we had put in the work to do great things. The time had finally come for us to put our game faces on. We walked down to the PEP room, prayed in and took our tests.

After completion, we discussed how we thought we did among ourselves. The brotherhood we have as we congratulated each other showed – we also uplifted and encouraged those who might not have done so well. We are a team here. We will not let the next man fail. We prayed out and headed back to the pod.

Jarrod H. (aka “Roach from MIB”)

Thursday                                                                                                            January 1, 2025

Hello and Happy New Year. Wow. How blessed we are to see another year. God has really been good to us. We started the day with an amazing meal. Unfortunately we didn’t have class today, but we were able to rest and reflect on 2025 as well as our hopes for 2026.

Some people go into the new year reflecting on things like “New Year, New You,” which basically implies that somehow you weren’t good enough. So instead of “New Year, New You,” we have been discussing, “Why not the same you, only getting better?” and a couple of ways to accomplish that. First, we should start with a vision of our character and the qualities about ourselves that could be improved. The second thing we discussed was intentionality. Being intentional about ways to create or strengthen positive characteristics is the most important part of discovering how amazing you really are.

In spite of some mistakes that were made in the last year, that person who made those mistakes doesn’t get to decide how far this person can go. By surrounding ourselves with good people and a positive community, we increase the probability of becoming and elevating who we have always been. The fact of the matter is that most people in here are truly amazing and charismatic individuals. Because of unintentional circumstances, most individuals never get the chance to fly. So if the saying “birds of a feather flock together” is true, then we should aspire to soar with eagles.

In closing, we would like to end with a simple truth: some people succeed because they are destined to, while others succeed because they are determined to. Which one will you be?

Arnell H.  (aka “Homie the Clown”)

Friday                                                                                                                  January 2, 2025

We can’t believe it’s Friday – another week down! We were given another day and the chance to be better men in life and for our families. We were able to sleep in later than usual because the first half of class was canceled. We had to wait until after the Servant-Leader meeting, which took place on Friday this week.

Our day had finally come for us to begin delivering our team business pitches in front of the class, and boy, were we nervous! But it was time we put all our hard work into action in front of our classmates and teachers. Every day is a journey for us to showcase our dedication, innovation and love for the new chance at life God has given us. Our teamwork showed all of that, from pitch to pitch, and our brothers blew us out of the water. Adam W. was amazed by how the whole class had their pitches down pat – all he could say was, “Are there any slackers?” (with a smile, of course). We came to win, showcasing the competition from within. We have less than a month before our next pitch event in front of all the real-world executives. So yes, it was time we buckled down and got down to business for real.

As the day settled down, we all agreed that today was a good day – the famous words of a legendary rapper who goes by the name “Ice Cube.” PEP is not only about business; it’s more like 80% character development. It helps individuals day by day rebuild parts of their lives they may have felt were lost for so long. It’s truly something beautiful and such a pleasure to be part of the PEP brotherhood.

David J. (aka “Bruh Man”)

Expressions

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”

– Jesus (Luke 17:3)

I want to draw your attention to where true repentance leads, and I’m not addressing the unconverted only. I believe that there is a good deal of repentance to be done by the church before much will be accomplished in the world. I firmly believe that the low standard of Christian living is keeping many enslaved to the world and bound in their sins. When the ungodly see Christian people who do not repent, it’s unreasonable to expect them to repent and turn away from their sins. I have repented thousands of times, more since I’ve known Christ than ever before. I think most Christians have some things they need to repent.

This lesson also applies to anyone who has never accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Experience has taught me that sooner or later, it’s the men who have very little conviction when it comes to their own sin that will lapse back into their old ways. If a man professes to be converted without realizing the enormity of his sins, he is likely to be one of those “stony-ground hearers only” whose faith doesn’t amount to anything (Matthew 13:5-6) – as soon as opposition hits, they’re sucked back into their worldly ways again.

I believe we are making a woeful mistake by taking so many people into the church who have never been truly convicted of their sin. Sin is just as black in many men’s hearts today as it ever was – sometimes I think it’s blacker. The more understanding a man has, the greater his responsibility and therefore the greater his need for deep conviction. I’m God’s child. I went to Sunday school, and my grandmother kept me in church. I fell out of the church when she passed away, but I will always ask for forgiveness.

Sheddran K. (aka “E.T.”)

Monday                                                                                                      December 22, 2025

Today was an amazing day. Not only is God good, but one of our brothers reminded us that every day we should be thankful, even though we are facing incarceration. Even though our current circumstances are tough, we must still persevere with thankfulness.

Our brother shared a story where an individual he cared about stopped answering his phone calls. When our brother finally heard from the individual, they announced that they were diagnosed with cancer. Despite the fact that we are incarcerated, we must be thankful for the small things: our health, our fingers, our feet, our eyes, our sense of hearing and all the other small things we may overlook daily.

After that inspiring message from our brother, we were ready to practice our team pitches. Since we were on lockdown for two weeks, our practice time with our teams has been extremely limited, so an inspiring speech is just what we needed to hear. We have a Pitch Day event at the end of next month, so we need all the teamwork we can get. In our group meetings for team pitches, the teams discussed the inspiring message. The reminder our brother shared about not forgetting how good God is filled the room. It inspired our team to push uphill through the intensity of this program – including memorizing team pitches we have only had for a day and a half. Yes, it’s hard, yet it is definitely worth it.

 Darias B. (aka “Juwanaman”)

Tuesday                                                                                                     December 23, 2025

Every day is a blessing – waking up, praying and thanking God for another day, amen. We look at everything positively and maintain a positive outlook, even though Christmas is near and we have not been to commissary or seen our families. We are surrounded by brothers we can learn from and grow with in our PEP family. We are looking forward to our Christmas tray and speaking with our loved ones. Love them and don’t let a negative dictate your life.

Today we shared a meal with our brotherhood, a meal provided by our PEP family on the outside who were willing and able to help us. It’s just one of God’s gifts to help His children. We had nachos with cheese, chili and jalapenos while we watched the movie F1. It’s a blessing because a lot of people did not get to make it to this point. We are the ones who have, and we are here to grow and renew ourselves.

We have to stay focused, but we have men of God here praying for us – this program is very faith-driven. We received our pitch sheets and EOU booklets today, so that should be fun.

Every day is a day to get better. During this program, we have faced moments that made us uncomfortable, including doing things like dancing and impressions. We have shed our shells by going through these changes. In L-pod, we have people who are positive. They lift up a brother in need with encouragement and knowledge – that’s how we share love with each other.

Gregoria H. (aka “Alicia Keys”)

Wednesday                                                                                               December 24, 2025

Today was pretty peaceful on the wing. We all woke up with good energy and got started on one of our many assignments. The energy was still radiating from the day before, when we got to celebrate an early Christmas and received some surprise visits from PEP alumni. One of the alumni happened to be someone fairly close to us, and it was good seeing him prosper in his new freedom.

In class, we learned about EOUs (economics of one unit), and it had most of the current class intrigued. We saw multiple study groups around the dayroom trying to figure this thing out and/or practicing what we had learned. As the day progressed, we started to see more interactions from the guys, and the dayroom became more festive. Games started to come out, and you could smell the coffee that was steaming in the cups. It’s late December, but it feels like mid-September. The guys were all dressed comfortably as well.

These days were anything but ordinary for us. See, it’s Christmastime, and we all felt it in the air around us. Our families were not near us, we missed the ones we love a bit more than usual. The pain of our absence was etched in our souls. But as men of God and purpose, we persevered and trusted the process. We leaned on each other during this time to show that family doesn’t just share blood and that brothers come from many different walks of life. So, in this way, we helped each other to be better so that, God willing, next Christmas we’ll be home again.

Dustin H. (aka “Kel from Good Burger”)

Thursday                                                                                                   December 25, 2025

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to all of our family and loved ones and to the executives who continue to support us in our pursuit of growth, execution and building a better future. We strive to come home and be the men our families not only need but deserve.

Today was a blessing. Although we all miss our families dearly, we still made the decision to make the best of our circumstances. Since today was Christmas, we got to take a break from the classroom. Throughout the day, we watched multiple basketball games like the Rockets vs. Lakers game, as well as the Dallas Cowboys football game. These moments provided crucial bonding opportunities for us.

Although the break was needed, the hard work never stops. By the end of the night, the majority of our class went right back to preparing for what’s to come once we make it back to the classroom, including getting ready for our upcoming EOU test, which teaches us the financial part of running a business. We also practiced our Toastmasters speeches, which helps us learn how to speak in a professional format before a group of individuals. It gives us the confidence to present ourselves well when the opportunity arises. Some others practiced their business pitches in order to present them to the best of our abilities before a panel of real-world executives.

Overall, every day in PEP is truly amazing and a blessing. We are constantly surrounded by like-minded individuals in the pursuit of a positive change. Therefore, once again on behalf of the Winter Class of 2026, Merry Christmas to all of you – we cannot wait for you to join us on graduation day.

Mann H.  (aka “Mikey from Recess”)

Friday                                                                                                         December 26, 2025

Today was a productive day. It started off a quiet morning due to eating good the day before. We were all full, so everybody was getting their sleep in. We thanked God for another day and another chance to become the great men that we all want to be for our families and ourselves, getting us one step closer to being with our families next Christmas.

Every day, L-Pod is grinding and getting it done. We worked on our EOUs, and at first it was a bit tough to understand. But after getting help from our fellow PEP brothers, it started to become much easier. Sometimes, a lot of us are hesitant to ask for help. (Pride, maybe?) Our PEP brothers help us get through this by helping us in any way they can. We are never by ourselves, and there is always a PEP brother close by. Our goals are to learn every day and take in the knowledge to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Everybody in the current class worked on memorizing our pitches, as well as getting the signatures we needed. This practice will get us ready for recording and our Pitch Day event because practice makes perfect. We are on a mission to succeed, not fail. Every bit of homework we get is meant to make us great, not to bring us down. We try and get as much information we can. A group of PEP brothers were talking about getting into the trucking industry, and we all gained some valuable knowledge. That is what it’s about: helping each other and sharing vital information so when we get home, we can use that knowledge we have gained.

Joseph H. (aka “Broke Luca Doncic”)

Expressions

“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting.”

– Kohelet

These words are from a philosopher that gave the credit to a king in Jerusalem – David’s son, also known as King Solomon. This text comes from the Bible in Ecclesiastes 7:2. I think what the text is saying is that death is the end of everyone, and that the living should take this universal reality to heart in order to live a wiser and more purposeful life. I believe this prompts a reflection on mortality. The house of mourning is considered to be a funeral or a place of grief that would force us, as humans, to confront the reality and inevitability of death – a fact often ignored in times of celebration such as feasting. This verse encourages wisdom by acknowledging the brevity and transient nature of life. It helps us gain an eternal perspective and really focus on what truly matters, such as our character and relationship to God.

When I think about this verse, I think of how the situation refines my heart. Sorrow and sadness can have a refining influence leading to introspection, repentance and personal growth that joy and laughter often do not produce. This serves to highlight life’s purpose by thinking about the end. I tend to encourage myself to live life backwards in a sense. I do this by making daily choices in light of my eventual death and the need to prepare for what comes after. My opinion on this verse is that it is true wisdom. I believe it’s not condemning happiness or feasting entirely, but rather highlighting the unique opportunity that the house of mourning provides for sober reflection.

Patrick H. (aka “Sam Cooke”)

Monday                                                                                               December 1, 2025

Everyone seemed to be dragging from the Thanksgiving holiday this morning, and yet smiles were still showing as we were ready to be instructed. The day started like every other, where we took our position in the dayroom and awaited our release to the PEP classroom.

We were greeted with smiles and handshakes upon crossing the threshold. “Find your badge and take your seat,” echoed the emcee. The DJ provided the rhythm for the traditional dance opening. Today, M-pod and J-pod had their fates sealed at the back of the room. Brother Marlon S. graced us with the morning pray-in – it’s nice to have God recognized here in this program. Bruce T. (aka “Mr. Rogers”), instructed us today on Living in the Village. The way he delivered this curriculum alongside his own personal experience was enlightening. He touched on little-known life hacks and financial wisdom that most people are not aware of. His experience and understanding showed in his presentation, and we are grateful to be under his tutelage.

Then the time was here for the Business Plan Competition (BPC) Advisor Workshop. This is the part of the BPC where the winners of the last phase introduced themselves and their teams on camera. The ones who made the Chief Executive Officer position presented their business name and then went down the line introducing their team members. Most of us had never been in a setting like this. The camera was focused, looking straight at you in an intimidating kind of way. It was silent and stationary, yet still invoking a certain fear among us. You could sense people’s nerves were tight. We were primed and eager not to disappoint, lest we end up on a blooper reel.

Christopher G. (aka “Robot Chicken”)

Tuesday                                                                                              December 2, 2025

Today was a good morning, but we had a lot to do. Like every day, we all danced and then we all prayed in. Then Carl B. arrived, and we all stood up and gave him a round of applause. He talked to us about Chapter 11 of the entrepreneurship textbook. After that, they split the room in half, and the left side of the room tested first while the right side of the room waited until chow time. After chow, we came straight back to the room to take our turn at the testing tables. After we finished our test, they called the rest of the current class back to the room because Adam W., our In-Prison Manager, wanted to speak with us. He told all of us that we had a good class and asked how our Thanksgiving was. Then he said, “Well, I’m going to hit you with the ‘3-3-3s,’ and you have seven days to finish it.”

So, as soon as we got back to the dorm we all started working on our 3-3-3 assignment. When they called for last chow, we went to eat, as we would need plenty of energy to work on all the homework we received this week. Candy Cane Lane was playing on TV in the background as we worked, while others watched ESPN on the other TV while we worked. Our fellow Servant-Leaders and classmates were very encouraging to those of us that found this assignment to be overwhelming. With the right attitude, this rite of passage into the PEP brotherhood should be a breeze.

Jesus G. (aka “The Skunk from Bambi”)

Wednesday                                                                                        December 3, 2025

What a wonderful day the Lord has made. We were blessed to wake up this morning and be able to be in an environment conducive to learning and bettering ourselves. Today, God gave us the opportunity to learn and grow to be the men that we were created to be.

We have been busy all week long, but today it was crunch time. We didn’t have anything to do in the PEP room today, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t busy working hard. We started our heart check – the infamous 3-3-3. This is where the men are separated from the boys. We are assigned to handwrite three times the AP (Associated Press Stylebook), along with three sets of business vocabulary and three copies of the personal finance terminology. We were able to push each other to work hard and work through the hand cramps and distractions we tended to face. Since early in the morning, all of the tables in M-pod have been full of PEP brothers writing on different neon-colored paper.

Some brothers had their headphones listening to music while they wrote. The only time we stopped writing was to go eat lunch and dinner. Even in the dining hall, all the buzz and talk between the current class members from different pods was focused on how much of the work we had completed and lifting each other up with words of encouragement. As the day crept towards time to rack up in M-pod our Pod Coach, George M., and other Servant-Leaders made a final round through the dayroom to give us one last push of encouragement to press on until tomorrow.

 Leonard G. (aka “Farmer Fran”)

Thursday                                                                                            December 4, 2025

We were grateful for God giving us another day. It was a day that brought hope and choices. Today we arrived in class at 7:50 a.m. for the first half, and as always, we danced first. It’s fun and helped us wake up by getting our heart rates up a little. The DJ chose the new Chief Operating Officers and Chief Marketing Officers to dance from the back of the room. We never know who will be picked to dance. The next thing we did was pray in and thank our Creator. Today’s quote of the day was one by Maya Angelou:

“People will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

As a class, we took turns explaining what this meant to us. We all agreed that emotions are powerful and that we must control our actions because our impressions leave a lasting impact on others.

We must be aware of our character at all times. Also, PEP sends our children birthday cards, so today we took pictures for them. Each of us who took photos got to use funny props to dress up. While pictures were being taken, others met in groups to continue practicing our business plans and pitches. We got into our teams and went over our scripts and roles for the company. Shortly after, we were released to the dorm to continue our daunting writing assignments. After lunch, the executive volunteer arrived to teach us Chapter 5 of our entrepreneurship book. She went over our mission statements as well as other details needed for the upcoming test. We closed the day in prayer and returned to our dorms.

Herbert G. (aka “Goldmember”)

Friday                                                                                                  December 5, 2025

Today, like every day, was an assured blessing. All praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ for bestowing us with another day. The day started like any other living here in J-pod. Even at 6 a.m., we are hard at work, especially with this “3-3-3” assignment. We are extremely grateful to have been placed in a dormitory overflowing with camaraderie and brotherly love. We have the utmost respect and appreciation for all the much-deserved praise we have been receiving. We all loved hearing the heartwarming and inspiring life stories told by the community about their dedication to reestablish their path back toward redemption.

After we wrapped up our first Toastmasters, we got together with our teams to work on our big team pitch. Much gratitude to our program directors, Adam W. and David F., for believing in us and bringing together our different stories, backgrounds and pasts. Even incarceration cannot hinder our devotion and determination to transition and transform into the best version of ourselves, not only for our futures but most of all for our families. Every day here is a new journey toward becoming the men our wives, children and families have known we were beneath our old facades.

Another section of the program we’re deeply thankful for being part of is BetterMan. The powerfully insightful words from David F. come from genuine, life-changing experiences and are deeply motivational. Thank you for believing in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. That moment when we walk across the stage at graduation will truly be the prize after this character-building, life-changing process.

Vincent G. (aka “The Count from Sesame Street”)

Expression

“So you will be what you will to be; let failure find its false content in that poor word, ‘environment.’ But Spirit scorns it, and is free. It masters time, it conquers space … the offspring of a deathless Soul, can hew a way to any goal, though walls of granite intervene. Be not impatient in delays but wait as one who understands; when Spirit rises and commands the gods are ready to obey.”

– James Allen

A wise poem from a wise man, James Allen taught the importance of the effect of thought on circumstances. He claims that suffering is always the effect of wrong thought and is an indication that the individual is out of harmony with himself. He has an analogy in which he likened man’s mind to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.

When analyzing my own life, I cannot help but realize these teachings are extremely powerful. On the path to prosperity, it is important to know that you do not attract that which you want, but that which you are. Do not be anxious to improve your circumstances if you are unwilling to improve yourself. Wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with your thoughts and actions. The world is your kaleidoscope, and the varying combinations of colors, which at every succeeding moment are presented to you, are the extremely adjusted pictures of your ever-moving thoughts.

Isaac H. (aka “Beyonce”)

Monday                                                                                             November 24, 2025

Today was no ordinary Monday. This was a momentous Monday that would validate all the hard work and time we put into our business pitches. It was the day we would find out which lucky few made CEO. We also had our Chapter 3 Living in the Village test this morning. K-pod turned out early in the morning to study and quiz each other over Chapter 3, drilling the material over and over to ensure we all knew the chapter and would pass with flying colors, because iron sharpens iron. After taking the test, the moment we had all been waiting for had arrived.

Twenty extraordinary CEOs were picked by the executives who had come to our last event, Pitch Day. They had outperformed everybody else in class to become the leaders of their pitch groups. We were all extremely happy and proud of our brothers who made CEO. The entire room was filled with smiles.

After the CEOs were announced, the rest of us were assigned to the group we would be with for the Business Plan Competition (BPC). Once we all got to know the brothers in our group, it was time for our next assignment, a group activity that involved teamwork and ingenuity: we had 20 minutes to build a tower using nothing but dried spaghetti noodles, string, tape and a marshmallow. In this activity, we learned about our strengths within the team and that no great tower or person can achieve such great heights without a strong base. In life, our base is God, and without Him we are baseless and lost. He has brought all of us together so we can learn new things and become good men so that when we return to society as truly changed men, we can have a positive impact on our communities and families.

Michael D. (aka “Zoolander”)

Tuesday                                                                                            November 25, 2025

We got to have a break from going to the classroom today, so we stayed busy back on the pod. We are grateful for the extra time to study because we now see how difficult these entrepreneurship and financial literacy tests are going to be.

But that wasn’t the only thing we accomplished. Days in the pod here on the Sanders Estes Unit are different from anywhere else within the prison community. Everywhere else, there would be criminal activity happening everywhere, prison politics and the like. Here, we are men who can build on what we were already building. We can talk about sports or business ideas. We can talk about faith and have Bible studies in the dayroom. We can study in a quiet, respectful atmosphere and not worry about anything except the next assignment.

The day went by without incident, and we bonded in our experience. We watched sports and discussed our favorite teams and players. Everybody is looking forward to the next Dallas Cowboys football game on Thanksgiving Day. Here on H-pod, one of the Servant-Leaders was able to find a TV show we hadn’t had the opportunity to see before, and it was pretty interesting.

All in all, within the PEP community, the rules of prison are different. The vibe is different. The people are different. Everything is different. We are truly grateful to experience this opportunity. Thank you, PEP.

Scotty E. (aka “Bowser from Mario”)

Wednesday                                                                                      November 26, 2025

On this wonderful Wednesday, we were blessed to see another day and to be in great spirits. Not only did Jesus Christ wake us up, but He gave our instructor, David F., an inspirational message to give our class. The message reminded us to be thankful for our loved ones, what we have and the peace of mind that we are bound to have within our current circumstances. As soon as the message was delivered, our DJ called K-pod and L-pod to the back of the room. When we were called to the back of the room, we knew what was about to go down, and all types of dance moves started coming out. After the laughs, we ended the excitement with prayer as we always do.

We have been working on our individual business pitches for a couple of weeks and haven’t had time to go over our Toastmasters project. Today, we had plenty of time. It is incredible how we can stand in front of new individuals and be open with our adventures. We learn something new about each other every day.

Once class was done for the day, we returned to the dorm where we were able to bond with each other over games of chess and dominoes. Just being able to hear about each other’s life stories and past traumas made the brotherhood between us stronger. PEP is about more than a business competition. It is a community of open-minded individuals dedicated to shaping new futures and building their legacy.

Travion E. (aka “The Broke Biz Markie”)

Thursday                                                                                          November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving! Today has been a wonderful day. We started today watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on one television and Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers on the big television. We had lunch about 11 a.m., and everything was actually very good. After everyone had eaten, most of J-pod took a nap until the Cowboys game came on. Almost everyone in the dorm came out to watch the Cowboys play. Go Cowboys! We got the much-needed win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Thanksgiving is about family, food and football, and let’s not forget about being thankful. And today has been filled with all of the above. We had football on all day, we ate a good meal, got a nap and had a blessed day. Being surrounded by this group of like-minded men is a blessing. We talk to each other with love and positivity. This is truly a brotherhood. Even though we are all missing our families, we still got to spend time with our brothers on J-pod. A few of the men came together and made a large meal for everyone to enjoy. This act of kindness was a huge step forward in our growth as men. We’ve seen whole dorms eat together before, but never where just a few people paid for the entire meal. PEP is the best program. Thank you for the love from the program directors, the executives, the PEP brothers and TDCJ for allowing us to participate in this program. Happy Thanksgiving.

Steven F.  (aka “Mrs. Doubtfire”)

Friday                                                                                                November 28, 2025

Today was the day after Thanksgiving, and it turned out to be a pretty good day. We didn’t have class today, so a lot of us got to sleep in, but we also had some early risers. There are a handful of us that got up to get a head start on next week’s class or to catch up on homework from the week before. Around 9 a.m., the dayroom started to fill up. A few guys started up a game of dominoes, and there were a few college football games to watch as well. With it being Black Friday, the Christmas movie marathon has started up, meaning that Christmas Vacation was playing, which is the best.

Lunch was kind of a surprise: we had baked chicken after our holiday meal yesterday, and it was delicious. When we got back from lunch, we got into Toastmasters. In PEP, just because we don’t have class doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. We split up into two groups and gave our speeches. Everyone did pretty well, and we were all given solid advice by our peers on how to do better on our next Toastmasters speech.

After that, it was back to preparing for our entrepreneurship test on Tuesday, memorizing our pitch for the next event or writing out our next Toastmasters speech. It seems like a lot, and it can be if we don’t manage our time, but that is a lesson PEP is teaching us: time management.

The rest of the day was spent in a similar fashion. We went to our last meal, came back and studied. Today was a good day in PEP.

David G. (aka “Little Red Riding Hood”)

Expression

“Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you.”

                         – Ralph Marston

I have always tried to convince myself that I have been happy. I always thought that I would find a woman that I would fall in love with, and she would be the one to make me happy. This thought pattern represents a thinking error. Some men meet a woman, but she is not the one to make you happy – she actually could make you your own worst enemy and make you hate everything and everyone.

You have to put Jesus into your heart, mind and soul. If you don’t have your mind on God, you are not on the right path in life. I have been going the wrong way in my life for a long time now, but recently I was baptized and gave my life to Jesus. With Him guiding my path, He put a good person in my life and turned me onto the path of PEP. PEP is truly heaven sent and has taught us many new tools to build on. With the good Lord in my heart, I seem to be a whole lot happier now. If you are not happy with yourself, you can’t make anyone else happy around you. Find the joy inside your heart and spread it with the rest of the world.

Christopher G. (aka “Smeagol”)

Monday                                                                                             November 17, 2025

Today was great. God woke us up in good spirits and gave us another day to experience life. The day started out very chill, cold and very quiet. The current class was just hours away from its first session, and our pitches were due. We got up and practiced our pitches in our cells while cooking or going through our daily rituals.

We hold pod meetings Monday afternoons on M-Pod. It’s our day for commissary, as blessed as we are by our families. We finished with commissary and made it back for the second half of class, where things got spicy. We’ve been working on our business pitches for weeks now, and all of us are putting our best foot forward. We repeated our pitches over and over to our teams.

Our Pitch Day event is only days away. It’s going to be a day when we get an opportunity to interact with real-world executives. We need to deliver a perfect pitch after working so hard on them. We all really want to be chosen as a CEO and pitch our own business ideas in the final competition.

Once class was over, we all headed back to our respective pods and practiced our Toastmasters, which is a public speaking course. Today was good, and our team leaders really helped everyone overcome their struggles. These Servant-Leaders are leading by example with humility and at the sacrifice of personal glory. M-pod is very peaceful and very organized, and everyone helps each other. We all study together as a team as we push each other to be the best versions of ourselves.

Roque A. (aka “Chicken Little”)

Tuesday                                                                                            November 18, 2025

Today was a day of challenges to overcome. We were waiting in the M-Pod dayroom, anxiously studying for the entrepreneurship test. Suddenly a correction officer shouted, “PEP go to class.” Like ants, we began to walk out of the pod in a single-file line down the hall to the PEP classroom.

Upon entering the classroom, we were greeted by the doormen, ushered to the board with our PEP name badges and seated at desks with laptops. We were asked by the Servant-Leader on the microphone, George M., to put all of our folders under our seats and enter our usernames and passwords into our laptops.

There were a few bewildered looks as students requested assistance from the nearby Servant-Leaders on how to properly log in as soon, we would begin testing. As silence filled the air, only the sounds of chicken-pecking fingers on keyboards could be heard. We had one hour to answer an array of multiple-choice questions and open-ended prompts concerning the personality characteristics necessary to start and operate a successful business.

Students typed away answers concerning personality, prior experience, risk tolerance and bounded rationality. We had to explain these principles and concepts, as well as evaluate them in our lives.

Our greatest challenge came in the form of peer reviews. Once we completed the tests, we were asked to anonymously review another anonymous student’s open-ended answer. It was a great opportunity to give constructive criticism and encouragement to our fellow students. As we reviewed other students’ answers, reviews of our own answers would appear from “anonymous student.” Reviews such as “Great job, you really know the material” and constructive feedback such as “I believe the prompt asks for characteristics from the textbook, not PEP’s 10 Driving Values.” Today we overcame a challenging test day together as PEP’s Winter 2026 class.

Cipriano A. (aka “The trash bag”)

Wednesday                                                                                     November 19, 2025

Today was magnificent and very productive. We were all blessed and privileged to be able to see another beautiful day of life. Everyone in M-Pod woke up ready for class and ready to achieve our objectives for the day. Although class has been fun lately, today was the day we all got very serious and professional. Today was pitch day. We were all given enough time to memorize and perfect our pitches, and now it was time to execute.

We were able to go up in front of the room and share our big ideas with our class. Many of us were still nervous, but we eventually completed the task, which was to share our pitch. We were now prepared to present our business ideas to the executives on Friday. This will be a great experience for us all to learn how to speak professionally to the public.

Afterward, Adam W. presented some profound words of wisdom to us. Hopefully, the class will keep these words in mind because they will help us so much in the future. When class ended, M-pod was ready to go to commissary. Sadly, the computer was down so we will have to wait until tomorrow.

Even with that setback, the day was a good day just by being in PEP at the Estes Unit. It is truly a blessing. We are all like-minded men who are trying to achieve a common goal: to better ourselves so we can become the men our families need us to be.

Israel A. (aka “Mumbles”)

Thursday                                                                                          November 20, 2025

Today was an amazing day. We got to wake up this morning and be blessed with another day of life. We also have this amazing opportunity to be in this incredible program learning to be better men and entrepreneurs.

Today was different for many reasons, though. Today, Carl B. came and taught us Chapters 3 and 4 from our entrepreneurship textbook. He has a lot of real-world corporate experience, and it was an honor to hear some of it from his perspective. He taught us through his experiences while working for Proctor & Gamble as a sales representative. He told us of his experiences while selling the dish washing detergent Joy. His presentation was cut short because of chow, but it was awesome for him to take time out of his life to share with men such as us. After chow, Carl B. finished his presentation and left for the afternoon.

Then, Javier C. and Bryan H. gave a presentation over the thank you and networking cards they were handing out for the Big Idea Pitch. The networking cards are a tool we can use to help us become accustomed to networking in the world. They are pretty useful when you think about it. We write the name of the person that we are speaking with and for whom they work. Then we write a little about the conversation we just had and our key takeaways. At the bottom, it gives us a chance to rate how much this conversation affected our growth.

These tools can be applied to how professional we will become upon release. We are all really grateful for this experience.

Andy A. (aka “Selena Gomez”)

Friday                                                                                                November 21, 2025

Today was an amazing day for us! It started out by waking up to another day that wasn’t promised and that is something that we should all be grateful for. To start off, we were all extremely nervous. Some of us tried calling home to get the anxiety down. Today was the Big Idea Pitch event. For some of us it was even more nerve-racking due to starting the program two weeks later than the others. Many of us still don’t know many of the PEP brothers and were wondering if our pitch was going to go well.

As we were called to the PEP room, we all agreed that this took a lot of mental strength. So, we took a deep breath and the time got smoother. We got to dancing, laughing and encouraging the other PEP brothers that were nervous. Soon it was time for us to all go to the gym for the big event. Wow! We all felt like pro football players. All of the executives and previous graduates from other classes greeted us with clapping, cheers and smiles.

Once we settled in and introduced ourselves to some of the executives, the nerves began to ease. We participated in an exercise called “Walk to the Line” to learn that maybe we weren’t so different from each other. Finally, we moved to our sections and began pitching our business ideas. We realized it wasn’t as hard or as bad as we had made it out to be. The executives were all very encouraging and gave us great feedback. We didn’t want them to leave at the end of the event. We had so much fun and enjoyed cookies with the executives.

The day and the event came to an end as we returned to our assigned pods. All of the PEP brothers applauded our return from the special event. It’s truly a beautiful feeling to be part of this community. All the brothers in our class loved the event and can only imagine how graduation will be with all the executives and our families.  

Ezequiel A. (aka “Oompa Loompa”)

Expressions

“Preach the gospel at all times, but only speak when necessary.”

– Saint Francis of Assisi

When I first heard this quote, I actually read it in a book that was faith-based and I took it to heart. Many times, I would speak a lot, but I was like the Pharisees and did not practice what I preached. When we walk out what we believe, it is so much more potent. I finished the book and started to pay attention to people. They would promise things but not follow through. So, I made a commitment that I would walk by action rather than mere talk.

St. Francis of Assisi was a priest that lived around the first millennium, around 1052 AD. That famous quote helped many people, including me. I have been navigating with my belief in Jesus Christ and applying that quote to find that it is noticed by people around me. People want to see actions, not just words, because talk is cheap.

I am not claiming that I am perfect or that I’ve got it all figured out, because I will never figure out everything. What I am saying is that the answers are in our Lord Jesus Christ, and once we receive him in our hearts the quote will follow naturally. You may be asking yourself, “How do I receive Jesus Christ in my heart?” The answer is simple: surrender to God Almighty. I now live happy and act without saying too much. What will you do? I encourage you to live through the living God.

Salvador D. (aka “Zazu from The Lion King”)

Monday                                                                                             November 10, 2025

Today was a good day. When we made it to class, we started off like we usually do and got the juices flowing and nervousness out of our system. Then, we listened to our guest speaker, Chaplain Bruce T. He discussed Chapters 1 and 2 of Living in the Village, the book we are reading for financial literacy. It teaches us how to save money and take care of our credit while starting a new life.

Also, some of us got to give our first speech for Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a class that teaches us how to become better public speakers. The first speech we had an opportunity to give was our Ice Breaker, where our brothers introduced themselves to the class and told us their story, including how they ended up in TDCJ and in PEP, as well as some of the choices they made that led them here. They gave us their backgrounds and really let us get to know them on a personal level.

When we got back to the dorm, we kept ourselves busy while completing our homework. This class has barely started, and we are already loaded down with paperwork. We have speeches to write; forms to complete for our Family Liaison; pitches to practice; and business plans to get started. So all of us got our folders and headed to a free spot at the table in the dayroom. We worked on our respective assignments and fine-tuned our speeches and our business pitches. Overall, today was a productive day.

Bryian B. (aka “The Fake Shawn Wayans”)

Tuesday                                                                                            November 11, 2025

Today we started our day blessed because the Lord gave us another day for which to be thankful. We are privileged to be part of a group of men that have the best intentions of growing as fathers, husbands and role models. Living in H-pod is very different from other places. These men are excited to see what our class has to offer.

As we arrived in the classroom, we began our morning routine where we danced to the front of the room. This is so we can let go of that prison mentality and have fun. After getting energized and ready for our day, we prayed and asked our Lord to guide us in our purpose. Soon after, we read the quote of the day and then elaborated on it, discussing what it means to us.

On this Veterans Day we saluted and gave thanks for those who served our country and allowed us to be part of their day. We presented our business pitches in front of the class to help us become more comfortable with public speaking. With just two weeks until our Pitch Day event in front of real-world executives, we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.

Toward the end of the day, we jumped into BetterMan. This is a great tool for those of us who need to break the chains and plant a seed of what a man is and needs to be when it comes to our families and society. PEP is not just tests and competitions. It is also a character development program to help each of us become better husbands, fathers and men.

Aaron C. (aka “Sofia Vergara”)

Wednesday                                                                                     November 12, 2025

We participated in recording videos for our Family Liaison today. Most of us are very excited to have this chance to reach out and hopefully gain a greater connection with our loved ones. We can all agree that family plays a huge part in our reintegration into society. The plans that most of us have include our family, so being able to bring them along in this process is amazing. Having someone actually reach out and give them constant updates and encouraging words is special. That is one of the many reasons that sets PEP apart from other programs.

Speaking with the other participants, we agree that this entire experience is completely different from anything any of us have ever done. From the dancing to the fun names, no other program uses tools the way this one does. They are constantly getting us out of our comfort zone, but in doing so they are teaching us how to be okay with being uncomfortable and still hold our composure. The character development that comes with this program is definitely a game changer.

We all got a chance to recite our pitches and get positive feedback from the Servant-Leaders in our dorm. As a whole, everyone in the current class is showing great commitment and determination. We encourage each other to strive for positive change. What we all agree on is even though we come from different walks of life, we are all willing to make a change for the best. We hope this program will give us the push we have needed. All in all, today was a great day.

Donell C. (aka “Norbit”)

Thursday                                                                                          November 13, 2025

Today was an awesome day. We prayed and then practiced our pitches for our Big Idea Pitch event. Each of our brothers had an opportunity to showcase his newly learned public speaking skills. Some of us are naturally better than others, so some of us have a lot of work to do, but all of us are willing to put in the work to get there. After pitching, we headed out to lunch and took a small recess for 30 minutes.

After lunch, we had our first lesson on entrepreneurship. We learned the principles of being an entrepreneur and the reasons why we should become one. Once the class was done, we prayed out and returned to our dorm.

After dinner, we had a pitch panel. This is an exercise that helps us get better at presenting our pitch in front of others. We stand in front of everyone in the dorm and pitch our business idea, then receive constructive feedback on our performance.

The energy here in PEP is truly unique. We are all learning and forging relationships that will last a lifetime. We have already seen so much growth in the few weeks we have been here. It’s so great to be around positive people who are all on the same track of success. PEP is not just any program – it’s a life-changing experience that will require a lot of hard work and dedication. We all know it will pay off in the end, and we look forward to celebrating at graduation.

 Kevin C. (aka “Baby Sinclare”)

Friday                                                                                                November 14, 2025

Today was a productive and blessed day. The Almighty and wonderful God gave us the breath of life and woke us up once more. It was another day for another opportunity to do better and to do the right thing, another chance to help one another and love each other.

The morning started out much like any other morning. Everybody was pretty much just waking up, some of us still half asleep. We were waiting in the dayroom until they called for the current PEP class. We then made our way to the PEP classroom, where we took our seats until they called for the left half of the room to dance with the right side. We all got up to dance, and that is when most of us started waking up a little bit more.

Some of us arrived on this unit well before the rest. We had the chance to practice and put the work into our pitches. Practice makes perfect, and repetition is key. Practicing in the dorm over and over again helped, and it showed in the hard work and dedication displayed during the pitch in class. Pitching took place during the first half of class. We then went to lunch, went back to the dorm and waited for the second half to start.

Once the second half of class started, we danced again. After all the excitement and laughter settled down, we moved into Toastmasters. We got up in front of our PEP brothers and spoke, telling our stories and sharing, being vulnerable and building a brotherhood all while working on our public speaking. Hearing each other’s stories helped us realize we have a lot in common, creating a bond that we all share.

John D. (aka “PSY”)

Expressions

“Once you understand your purpose for living, the way you value life should change.”

– James D.

These words are so powerful to me. At one point in my life, I was searching for something that was deep down on the inside of me. I wanted to know what my purpose was and who I really am. God allowed me to be in uncomfortable places so that He can show me His purpose for my life. I began to see what was valuable, and I also noticed the things that weren’t valuable. I identified my purpose through understanding what was most important to me, and that’s my salvation. During my journey of building my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I began to get passionate about sharing the Word of God and helping others understand their purpose too. I am no longer a part of the process – I am a part of the change. To see my brothers’ lives transform into greatness motivates me to continue to pour into them the love of God each and every day

I once heard a man say that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Today I stand on values and love. I have seen how the fear of change can destroy an entire village. I have seen how absentee fathers can make children lose hope. I have seen many broken families lose everything.

Today I am living out my purpose. Through prayer, God will restore these broken homes. He will heal the brokenhearted. He will bring the lost back home. I encourage my brothers to stay strong through the process because one day, you will be a part of the change.

James D. (aka “Latrell”)

Tuesday                                                                                              November 4, 2025

Today was the first official page of a new chapter in life by becoming official members of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. This morning, we were gifted by waking up.  Then, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a Servant-Leader opened our door and called out, “Current class, please present yourselves!” We gathered up our books and folders, eagerly heading off to a new beginning.

Upon our arrival, previous graduates welcomed us with warm smiles and handshakes, offering small words of encouragement to each of our fellow classmates. After the entire community picked up official PEP name badges, we gravitated toward the arranged seating area. A few of the Peer Educators greeted us as a whole, exhibiting a radiance of positive energy.

Moments later, we heard rap music magnified by the speaker system as the screens on the wall asked for those of us wearing jackets to head to the back of the classroom. In doing so, we began the traditional activity of dancing to the front of the room. The DJ amplified his music, drawing us further into an expansion of brotherhood. With each dance move and step closer to the front, we started to smile, breaking free from our incarcerated ways of thinking. At the front of the classroom, we laughed while others clapped in unison for participation. In that moment, we all subconsciously forgot about our incarcerated living conditions and experienced true, genuine fun. We started looking forward to the journey PEP holds in store for us.

Allen S. (aka “Scratch”)

Wednesday                                                                                       November 5, 2025

Today was a great day. We did not have class today, but we still enjoyed each other’s company and ideas. We cleaned our dorm with our accountability teams and practiced our business pitches for one another. We ran a pitch panel after dinner with the help of our Servant-Leaders to get us better acclimated to our pitches and to speaking in front of a crowd.

Some of us did not get to go to commissary on our usual day, but we had our chance today, which was a blessing. We really are thankful for the commissary lady, because she is very understanding and enjoys seeing us better ourselves through the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.

When we talk to each other and get to know one another, we find that we all have a lot in common. We are all participants in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), and we all desire change. We come from different backgrounds but have a common denominator: we made mistakes that do not define who we are.

The majority of us agree that PEP is the best program any inmate has ever heard of or had the opportunity to join. Change is very uncomfortable. We have all been comfortable in the way we have been living, so we have been living in this constant, vicious cycle of torment. Now we have been given the opportunity to elevate our lives. PEP has also given us the platform to become better men, fathers, sons and brothers, and more importantly, contributing members of society.

Antwain B. (aka “Sherman Clump”)

Thursday                                                                                            November 6, 2025

Class went well today as we gave out fun names (class nicknames) to everyone. We also went over Toastmasters, our public speaking curriculum. The presentation explained how long each speech should be and that we would present our Ice Breaker speech on Monday. A Servant-Leader presented his Toastmasters as an example, and a few other brothers tried out a one-minute “table topic.” Then came count time: no talking during count, and we moved in an orderly fashion so the officers could get their job done as quickly and hassle-free as possible.

After count, we finished up Toastmasters. The In-Prison Manager, Adam W., came up and gave us his testimony, warning us not to return to our old ways. He also cautioned us from our old blocks, neighborhoods and streets. He advised that it would be most beneficial to go to a transitional house upon release.

About 10 minutes into his speech, chow time was called. We all exited in an orderly fashion, guided along by our steadfast facilitators. We headed out from the back row, put our badges on the board and headed to chow. Afterward chow was over, we headed back to the pod, waiting for them to call out the current class for the afternoon session.

Adam W. came in and blessed us by personally taking us to the commissary window before we returned for second half. After all the worrying we had this morning during class, our fears of missing out on store were for nothing. This class isn’t so bad after all.

 Exavier B. (aka “Fake Eddie Griffin from New Guy”)

Friday                                                                                                  November 7, 2025

What a fun, fantastic Friday for fellowshipping. The great God above sincerely blessed us to come together in a positive setting to become better men. It’s custom that we do three things every morning before class starts. First, we get up to dance. We all continue to surprise ourselves just by letting go of any nervousness and getting down with the get-down. Dancing just takes the energy to a whole new level.

After that, we come together as brothers to stand before God and give thanks for all the provisions He has bestowed on us. We then read and discuss the inspirational quote on the board. Today, the board had three words: path, distraction and focus. The path is what we’re striving for, the road we are taking to achieve our full potential. Traveling down the road, we must remain focused to achieve that potential, paying attention only on those things that align with our goals. Anything outside of this is a distraction that must be weeded from our lives.

Finally, we then sit around tables for project work. Today we worked on our Coat of Arms. This is where we put our personalities on paper. We took pictures of ourselves, cut out pieces of magazines that inspired us and put it all together on a sheet of construction paper. The amazing thing was how well we all got along. We helped each other, learned new things about one another and learned that we aren’t as different as we seemed to believe. Today was a great day and a wonderful way to end our first week of PEP.

Javon B. (aka “Donkey from Shrek”)

Expressions

“Your ear is your womb – whatever you decide to listen to,

either good or bad, is conceived and will be given birth to,

in due time and season. Choose what to listen to and what to ignore.”

– Mrs. Folds (parenting class)

I got this message in my parenting class at the Middleton Unit. Mrs. Folds would post one message every day, but this one really spoke to me. When I thought more about it, it explained how we all became the way we are. It got me thinking, day and night, not only about me but also everyone else and why the world is the way it is.

Influences such as music, media, politics and more are how we all become a product of our environment. So, I chose to change my mindset and got into the word of God to help me understand life and what God does for us. He sent His only son to die for us on the cross. The evil one will deceive us and use all influences to get to you to seek, kill and destroy.

God gave us free will. It’s on you to choose what kind of man you want to become. Sin will cause death to your mind, body and soul. But God will give you life. Next time someone talks to you or when you listen to music, TV or politics, ask yourself, “What is the root of the message?” Is it good for you?

What you believe is simple. Now, create your environment and you will become it. Listen, learn, become.

Jose B. (aka “Rango”)