Bell Fall 2025 Weekly Journals

Monday          July 14, 2025 

     We started the day off eager and full of excitement. Before our daily prayer, we turned in our assignments from last week, giving us a huge sense of accomplishment. This week we began our lesson on the “startup cost” and “financial summaries” for our business plans. It was something new to us and very intriguing. A lot of great questions were asked, and the servant leaders did an awesome job of answering them in a way that really broke it down for us. We then discussed our marketing videos, which we will start in a few days, and were given the opportunity to watch videos from previous classes to take notes. Mondays have turned out to be the most exciting day of the week for us. We are in a unique position to learn and accomplish something that most people in our position could only dream of doing. We still have a long road ahead of us and plenty of learning and growing to do, but the challenge has been accepted, and we are all in. This program has truly been a blessing to us all. We are now a part of something greater than ourselves, a real brotherhood, where we can all come together and reach for the sky. We ended our day by praying for our future success and the bond we have created with one another. Thank you all who support and believe in us.  

Bobby C.- (AKA “Turkey Bites”) 

Tuesday           July 15, 2025 

     We started the day by praying in and greeting each other for a few minutes. This helps us get to know each other on a deeper level and create a strong bond. We then continued to work on our team pitches and got feedback, not only from the servant leaders, but from our competition as well. Our public speaking skills have grown tremendously since our first day, and it has only gotten increasingly exciting. This program is unlike any other in the prison system. There is genuine care for our well-being and future success. The support we receive on a day-to-day basis is amazing. We have truly found the meaning of brotherhood. The cooperation we have is one of the main tools and skills that push us all forward and is a rare thing to find in our current environment. PEP has shown us that it does not matter where we are, only who we decide to be. We are a family that loves and supports each other, no matter where we come from or who we used to be. We are grateful for all that PEP has done and for showing us a different way to live and learn. We now know that the growth process never stops, and opportunities will always be there for the ones who seek them out. Together we rise and together we pull each other up. 

Gilbert C.- (AKA “Smores”) 

Wednesday           July 16, 2025 

     Today, we learned about the third Ten Driving Value, which just so happened to be “Love.” This driving value is particularly important in changing our mindset and becoming a real brotherhood. As we build our minds and character, every thought is another ingredient added to our personalities, so it is our responsibility to be mindful of the things we entertain inside of, not only our minds, but our hearts as well. It is together that we will be able to endure the storms of life and together that we will celebrate our victories. PEP has given us a fresh-start outlook on life, plus a community of brothers to help when our days get difficult. The different challenges we face daily cannot compare to the strength we have found in one another.  We then got together with our teams and continued to work on our pitches to prepare for our next big event where we will present our pitches to the executives again. It was an exciting experience, and it taught us all a lot, plus it boosted our confidence. It is always rewarding to be able to work as a team. We are extremely grateful to be a part of this program. It has shown us how to overcome whatever obstacles may come our way through discipline and hard work. Soon we will eat the fruit of our labor, and we owe it all to PEP and everyone who supported us along the way. At the end of the day, we prayed for strength to grow, wisdom to learn and patience to wait for God’s perfect timing. 

Kevin C.- (AKA “Cupcake”) 

Thursday           July 17, 2025 

     Today, we had a couple of executives take time out of their day to teach us the next couple of chapters in our entrepreneurship textbook. The lesson was about “income statements” and the different methods to obtain the finances needed to start your business. For example, we learned the different forms of loans and how crowd funding may be used for start-up capital. We also talked about the importance of bookkeeping and how certain apps like quick books can help you maintain the proper records. The importance of accountability was then discussed and how it affects us in our everyday business relationships and operations. Accountability builds trust and loyalty with your clients/customers and the other businesses you work with to keep your company afloat. During the second half, we took our first look at the team logos that we designed. Each team had the opportunity to make changes. The entire process gave us all a solid view of the progress we have been making together. The talent that we have seen in this class has been a wonderful inspiration and gives us the fuel to keep pushing forward. To close the day, we took the time to pray for our families back home and the new family that we created with each other. Thank you all who are a part of this journey and we welcome anyone else who wants to be a part of this family. 

Isaiah D.- (AKA “Little Mermaid”) 

Friday           July 18, 2025 

     We had another session of Toastmasters today, where we are allowed to present a speech about our lives to help us with our public speaking and body language, which is paramount to our overall growth as aspiring professionals. This has been a great course that has brought us closer together as brothers, getting to know one another on a deeper level. The stories that were told allowed us to see how not so different we really are despite how different our stories may be. We all went through some sort of struggle in life that led us up to this point and, even though our stories differ, the hurt was much of the same. Together, we have started to heal and know that we are not alone. During the second half, we continued to record our team pitches and received feedback from the servant-leaders along the way. It has been a fun experience that has created more unity within our class and supporters. Every day brings us new hope and inspiration. Our progress is constantly shown to us to remind us how far we have come and how much we have grown as a family. We learn a lot, but we also laugh and play along the way. Thank you all who dedicate your time to making this experience as exciting and enjoyable as it has been. We pray for all of you daily as our way of ending the day. 

Kenneth D.- (AKA “Sweet Potato Pie”) 

Expressions 

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought down to desolation; every city or house divided against itself is brought down to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself cannot stand.”  

-Jesus Christ 

     This quote was spoken by one of the greatest Mentors I have in life. It has shown me to know myself better and to do away with the demons within, for how can I stand up if I am divided against myself? It has also given me a better understanding of how I need to stand together with my brothers, for we all have the same goal in mind. Just because our paths may not look the same does not mean we cannot support one another. PEP is a house, and we must be united, or we will fall. Love conquers all. 

Eric C.- (AKA “Kenny [South Park]”) 

Monday                                                                                                      July 7, 2025

     Today in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program we focused our studies on market strategies, which consisted of the four Ps, also known as product, price, place, and promotion. The objective was to align our vision statements with our goals for our business, beginning from two months prior to start up, all the way to five years after opening day. The startup cost was explained to us in a way that allowed us to understand the numerous factors that need to be considered and how having an exit plan is just as important to have. Sales goals were discussed as well, and we learned how they will keep us on track to reaching our future goals for the company itself. We then discussed “Fresh-Start Outlook,” one of the Ten Driving Values that PEP instills into us throughout our growth. This one teaches us that we all deserve a second chance and that our past does not define us or where we are heading. Our teams were then allowed to make an introductory video where we present our team business, our positions within the team, and where we are from. Every contribution that has been made to us and our future is appreciated. Every day we are given tools for success. At the end of the day, we prayed for all the PEP family and the families extended through us. Together we succeed, one day at a time.

Roosevelt B.- (AKA “Donut”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      July 8, 2025

     Today was a great and productive day. We began with a quick prayer, giving thanks and gratitude to our Lord and Savior. We then broke off into our business teams and recorded a short introductory video of who we are and what our positions are within the business. While some of us were recording, the rest of us were allowed to take our Entrepreneurship test. The material we learned has elevated our understanding of what it takes to start and run a business. As we came together in teams, we also understood how to work in groups and the importance of having the right people by our side. We all need members who can strengthen our weaknesses and support us in our dreams and journeys. During the second half, Mr. Jones gave us all a much-needed inspirational speech explaining how we are all held to a high standard because of his belief in us and in this program. We were told how the change starts now in this classroom, not when we are released. This program has given us the opportunity to really analyze ourselves and learn how to respond differently to difficult situations than we used to. We learned that having a mentor will help us a great deal and our job when we graduate will be to be just that for others. We then began our first session of Betterman, a course that teaches us all about being a better person overall for everyone that we meet. At the end of the day, we prayed for each other and wished for all our brothers’ strength and wisdom.

Ter’Ron C.- (AKA “Cinnamon Roll”)

Wednesday                                                                                                July 9, 2025

     Today we started our class with a prayer, giving thanks to the Lord for another precious day. For most of us it was a “Fresh Start Outlook” kind of day. We all want to amend the bridges that have been damaged in our lives and that starts with us building ourselves with our daily dose of character development. We proceeded with the day with a summary of our “Living in the Village” workbook. Our objective was to compare our answers to the master-sheet and correct any mistakes. For most of us it has been many years since we left school. It is a challenge to kickstart our brains again, but with a positive attitude the challenge has been accepted. During the second half, we described each of our duties, which will be in our new positions for the teams we created. We expect this experience to be challenging but also fun and exciting. We all strive to be men of integrity, love and to learn as much as possible in the following months. We practice our Ten Driving Values daily to prepare us to become the best version of ourselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We strongly believe God has given us this opportunity to help us restore our lives and reach our full potential. With the help of the Lord, one day we will fulfill our goals and dreams. Thank you, PEP, for believing in us. 

Antonio C.- (AKA “Horchata”)

Thursday                                                                                                    July 10, 2025

     We began the day with a pray in, giving God his glory and thanking him for blessing our families. There were a couple of volunteer executives who came in to help teach us the material covered in chapters nine and ten in our Entrepreneurship workbooks. We were taught all about the different forms of insurance we will need to protect our businesses and the team of employees. It was an uplifting experience to learn of the tools at our disposal to overcome adversity when it comes. The executives really made the lesson simple to understand and showed us that we all have potential within us waiting to be unlocked. During the second half, we began to present our pitches as a group and got feedback from our servant leaders on how to improve as a team. Every day we get stronger and wiser as a brotherhood. We are very thankful for the executives, staff, and graduates who take the time to invest in our education and future. Everyone was extremely excited to hear that our videos will be seen by entrepreneurs out in the world and feedback will be given to each team. We ended the day by praying for each team and the executives who made this all possible. Thank you to all who are supporting us.

Randall C.- (AKA “White Purge”)

Friday                                                                                                          July 11, 2025

    We started the day with a prayer to bless all our brothers and all the people who support us on our journey. The class was split into two groups for our second Toastmasters session where we practice our public speaking and speech presentation. During these sessions, we learned to pay attention to body language, proper pronunciation, and making eye contact with the crowd to create a connection. At the same time, we got to know our brothers better as they spoke about themselves and their lives. It is a connection that we can only grow by being attentive to one another. Apart from the speakers, we also had what we call evaluators who listened to our speeches at a deeper level to give us feedback on how to improve our overall presentation. Each person on the panel had a different job as far as looking for certain areas we needed to work on. It is a group effort to help each other. We were given a word and theme of the day that we are asked to incorporate into our speeches to help improve our improvisation and to help expand our vocabulary as well. With each speech we become better public speakers, and it helps us to prepare for the next one to come. We then prayed out for the growth of our brotherhood and the safety of all our families.

“Martin C.” (AKA “Tajin”)

Expressions

“We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it to life.”

-Edwin Mark

            The “Golden Rule” is universally important and taken into consideration by the vast demographics in the world. Although vital for one person’s life, it means nothing if it is only pondered upon and not applied to the daily choices that a person makes. That is equally true about all the wisdom and knowledge that can be gleaned from the information. To think and then do is the most crucial step to treating people accordingly and it cannot be passed over. Anyone can think, or even say anything, but to execute by sheer will is what can make this world a better place. It is up to us to not just think, but to act.

Ramon V.- (AKA “Lord Farquad”)

Monday                                                                                                      June 30, 2025

     In the first half of class, we prayed-in, being thankful for one another and being part of something that is much bigger than ourselves. The servant-leaders (men that have graduated from PEP and are waiting for their release) expressed to us how proud they are for how well we did at our first event on Friday. We were allowed to write thank you cards to the executives that we spoke with, and they will be given to the executives. We also turned in our networking cards so that they could be scanned onto the computer and then had them returned to us. The networking cards are an effective way for us to keep track of the executives with whom we speak and what was spoken about. We will meet the executives again, so to be able to keep the personal record of all the people who supported us is an immense help. During the second half, we were given our next assignments called the “Market, Competition, Differentiator” Or MCD for short. This assignment will help us figure out who our target market is, who our direct and indirect competitors will be, as well as what we can do to set us apart from the other businesses in the same industry as ours. We then watched a short film that was based on a book we read called “Who Moved My Cheese.” It showed us the importance of being able to adapt with the times as they change and not stay stuck in our old ways of doing things when they no longer work. At the end of the day, we were told who was chosen to be the CEOs in the next round of the Business Competition. It was a mound of excitement for our brothers. Thank you, PEP, for the love and support!

Tevin B.- (AKA “Q-Tip”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      July 1, 2025

     Today we walked into the Prison Entrepreneurship classroom and there was a wave of positivity in the air as everybody exchanged handshakes accompanied by genuine smiles. We made our way to our seats, captivated by cultural hip-hop music coming through the speakers. There was an inspiring quote displayed across the screen by the main projector that caught our attention: “Nothing can destroy iron, but its own rust can.” The words were complimented by a picture of an iron ore being one part in a state of perfection, while it decayed rust within its mid-section. We prayed for the day taking the words of wisdom into account. The importance of the Ten Driving Values (PEP has 10 values that the program is based on). We gained a better understanding of what they mean and how they were put in place to help us grow, reaching our goals for the future. Then we had the privilege of watching a video that gave us a taste for what awaits us on the outside. We saw what the transitional homes (PEP has housing for only graduates of our program) were like and how some of our brothers were. It gave us a huge moral boost and a deeper drive to move forward. We then prayed out for the day and for our loved ones waiting for our return to society. We are grateful for the opportunity PEP gave us.                                                                    Justin B.- (AKA “Cinnamon Roll”)

Wednesday                                                                                                July 2, 2025

     Today was a wonderful day here at the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. We learned who the new CEOs are and their new roles in the next round of the business competition. Teams were assigned and positions were filled to meet the new team’s needs. We then had some special guests, consisting of several alumni who are now in charge of the re-entry program. We received much useful information about transitional houses and what E-school (continuing education program offered once a participant is released) is and what it is about. After a group presentation, our brothers allowed us individual assistance. They assisted us with any additional questions we had that may not have been answered to the best of their ability. We are constantly being encouraged and supported by our brothers, volunteers, and executives who take the time out of their day to be with us. Every day, we receive the tools that we need to succeed in society and within our business. This program has been a life changing experience for us all and we are so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity. To end the day, we prayed out and for all volunteers who helped us in our journey. Thank you, PEP, for all the support that you have given us!

Robert B.- (AKA “Lemon Cake”)

Thursday                                                                                                    July 3, 2025

     Today Ms. Diana, our special Rice University volunteer, showed up to give us our lesson on entrepreneurship. She went over chapters five and eleven, which included “Business Mission and Strategy.” Ms. Diana is a college professor specializing in marketing and a director of marketing and has a degree in computer security. She is also a CEO as well. The lesson included how to create a mission statement and understand our business capabilities, so we can comprehend what sustainable competitive advantages and customer needs are. We also learned what tangible and intangible assets are and how to evaluate competitive resources with a strategic plan analysis, and how to apply this into our business. It is such a privilege to have incredibly talented successful people that really care about us, take the time out of their valuable day, and make so many meaningful contributions for us. Our professors are rock stars in the business world! The Prison Entrepreneurship Program is making an enormous impact in our lives so that we can accomplish all our goals, become better men, and really unlock our potential to become successful and positive role models in our community. Today was truly a very productive day, we cannot wait to see what is in store for tomorrow. We finished our day off true PEP fashion with one of our brothers sharing a prayer with us.        

Glenn B.- (AKA “Lucky Charm”)

Friday                                                                                                          July 4, 2025

                                                  (OUT FOR VACATION)

Expressions

“The present belongs to them, and the future for whom I work for, belongs to me.”

-Nikola Tesla

     This quote is a very meaningful reminder to me and was said by a visionary of his generation. A vision was always set in front of him that dictated his goals and made many innovative changes to the world. This has set a bar for me to always see what I want for my life and set daily goals that will get me there. It has shown me that the most effective way to reach those goals is to empower others along the way with likeminded goals and passions. It is the unimportant things you do throughout your days that will add up and get you where you want to be in life.

Amilcar G.- (AKA “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”)

Monday                                                                                                      June 23, 2025

     We started our day with a prayer for strength and wisdom. Our In-Prison Manager then gave the class some words of encouragement and firsthand experiences in his own business. We learned about pitfalls and barriers that we may encounter upon opening a new business and were given advice on how to overcome those obstacles. We were also cautioned on the importance of patience and how little steps will eventually build a staircase to where we want to be in life. This program is only one of the few steps in our journey to success in life. We just need to keep moving forward. In the second half of class, we continued working on our coat-of-arms, a personal vision board. Once done we placed them on the wall for all to see. Some of us got “turned up” where we danced down the aisle as the class clapped and cheered us along. The energy was boosted to a high level. It was a new experience for many of us and showed us how to have fun again as we used to when we were younger. Towards the end, some of us were given the opportunity to present our business pitches and receive feedback. We then prayed for the day and wished each other a good evening.

                                    Bolanle A.- (AKA “Honey Glaze”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      June 24, 2025

     In the first half, we entered the room with some music playing in the background to get the energy flowing. We then greeted one another and proceeded to pray for the day. To get the energy flowing even further, we created a soul train line and danced down the aisle. This program has been a wonderful experience for us, not only helping us in an academic way, but also with our state of mind. Our first entrepreneurial test was given shortly after, and it was amazing how simply starting the day on a good note helped our self-esteem and confidence taking our first test. During the second half, we presented our pitches once again, preparing for the big day this coming Friday. We have all been working so hard on our presentations and have come a long way from our first day. Many of us have already mastered it and the competition will be one to remember for years to come. We have already begun to see the change with our class ourselves, and we know that it is preparing us for success. PEP is a community of people who care deeply for us. As always, we ended the day by praying out for our brothers, staff, and volunteers. Thank you, PEP you, PEP!

Kevin A.- (AKA “Candy Man”)

Wednesday                                                                                                June 25, 2025

     We started the day by praying in and “turning up our class MCs as they danced down the aisle. It was the first day that we had a test run of how the event would go on Friday and the excitement was almost tangible. We were split into groups of four and walked through the process in a step-by-step order. The importance of being able to sell our ideas themselves was emphasized to us and advice on how to stand out was given to us as a whole and on an individualized basis if it was asked for. In the second half, we all presented our pitches again and encouraged one another to give our best. PEP is an opportunity for us all, and we have all learned to come together to lift each other up. It is a chance to show our growth and worth to the rest of the world and is not something that we take lightly. We have come a long way from the first day of class and our public speaking skills have improved dramatically. This is truly a brotherhood and has exceeded all our expectations. We ended our day by praying for strength to execute our pitches with excellence in the upcoming event.

Jorronn B.- (AKA “Swiss Roll”)

Thursday                                                                                                    June 26, 2025

     We began the day with our daily pray-in and were introduced to the instructors who were teaching us chapter 3 of our entrepreneur book. Mr. Dougal, one of the instructors, gave us the best advice that anyone could ever get. “Never, never, never, never, never, never give up.” The way it was said to us came with power and meaning. It really gave us a new drive to move forward and to never let the difficulties of life stop us. The volunteers showed us that they genuinely care and are not here for selfish reasons. The chapter for this week was about synergy and how important it is to balance work and social life. Time management was the key factor expressed. Mr. Dougal gave us examples of times when he did not have a good balance and how it affected his judgement, leading to some bad investments. If you want to learn from others, the best way is not to learn from what people did right, but from their mistakes. It gave us encouragement to know that even though we will make mistakes in life, as long as we keep pushing, success is always within our grasp. We prayed for the day and gave each other last minute advice on how to make our big event tomorrow the best.

                                          Erik B.- (AKA “Mashed Potato”)

Friday                                                                                                          June 27, 2025

     Today was the big day that we have been waiting for for over a month. We prayed-in and prepared ourselves to pitch in front of real executives (men and women who come to the unit to volunteer their time to work with our class) who took the time out of their day to be here for us. We broke off into our assigned quadrants and proceeded to the gym where all the executives were waiting for us. One by one, we stood in front of them, presented our business ideas to the best of our abilities, and received individual feedback. The excitement that we felt could not be put into words. After each of us had the opportunity to present our pitch, we were allowed to network with the executive and got to pick their minds for further information and advice on how to present our ideas better. We were told that this program is on the level of a college course that if taken at a university would cost thousands of dollars. PEP is investing in our personal growth for us to have a brighter futures. The environment was amazing and so different from what we expected. We really have people who care about us and are willing to help us better our lives. At the end of the event, we prayed-out together with the executives and said our goodbyes until the next big event. Thank you, PEP, for believing in us!

Aelohim B.- (AKA “Butterfinger”)

Expressions

                                 “Allow your imperfection to be your perfection.”

-Unknown

     To me this means that you should allow the things that are not so perfect to be the things you strive to improve on. At the same time, we should always remember that only God is perfect, and our imperfections are simply what makes us different from one another. We live in a complex world where many perspectives differ and change over time. We are complex beings and should cherish our differences. Failures and shortcomings shape us into who we are and allow us to grow into the best version of ourselves. This gives me the acceptance that not everything will go my way but will also be a learning experience for me to grow. This quote reminds me to take it one day at a time and never stop moving towards my goals.

Christopher A.- (AKA “Bobby [The Proud Family]”)

Monday                                                                                                      June 16, 2025

     It was a great and exciting day for us here in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. We started off by praying together as brothers, and we took time to “show some love” to one another by greeting ourselves with handshakes, fist bumps, and hugs. Afterwards, we “turned up” our class MCs by clapping along to some positive music as they danced down the aisle. This shows us how to get out of the shells that we have developed over the years and to have fun in a different environment than we are used to. We then got down to business and went over an introduction for creating a business plan and names for the various ideas we generated. We were also given the opportunity to request market research and were given examples of what kind of information we should be seeking. A few servant-leaders took it upon themselves to show us their versions of their “elevator pitches,” which are quick business ideas and gave us some solid advice on how to write our own. Before closing the day by praying out, we got to sing happy birthday for a few of our brothers in our own PEP version of the song. The experience was one of unity and love!

Johnny C. – AKA “Sopapilla [Panchos]”

Tuesday                                                                                                      June 17, 2025

     Today was a wonderful day here at the Prison Entrepreneurship Program! We worked on what is called a “coat-of arms” where we got to put our pictures on construction paper and decorate the surrounding area with things that portray a little of ourselves and our personalities. Next, we got to practice our “elevator pitches,” which are quick business ideas in front of the class to get them condensed into a minute. Our first event will be on June 27th, which will determine who gets to become a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the teams that will be assigned to those who won the positions. For those who spoke Spanish as a first language, we were taken aside and helped to better understand how to proceed and were given advice on how to overcome this barrier. This process helps us to become more confident public speakers in a fun and enjoyable way and to help us become influential leaders in life and our businesses. We are grateful for the opportunity granted to us by PEP. It has given us a new perspective on life and a chance to become better men. Lastly, we prayed out for the day and for strength to progress.

Leart A. – AKA “Mr. Clean”

Wednesday                                                                                                June 18, 2025

        Before beginning the class, we did a routine prayer for the brothers and staff. It reminds us daily that we are in this together and no longer alone. Afterwards, we “turned up” our class MCs and clapped as they danced to some upbeat music. A couple of the servant-leaders then spoke about the program and what is expected of us as far as conduct and effort. They encouraged us to push through and seek a better way of life through the change offered to us. Information was provided on the program curriculum, and we received tips on how to execute the work that will lie ahead. The support shown has given us a real sense of brotherhood and the love that is created for one another. Next, we worked on our boards/coat of arms and our business pitches in front of the class. Feedback was given on how we could improve and how body language can add to the overall presentation. There was a huge sense of gratitude for the confidence that we are building. Our servant leaders were there to guide us along the journey. We ended the day with a prayer for wisdom and confidence to strive for and achieve our dreams.

Joe A. – AKA “Licorice Stick”

Thursday                                                                                                    June 19, 2025

     Today in the first half of class we started by praying in and “showing love” to our brothers. This is where we walk around and introduce ourselves to our classmates. It allows us to get acquainted with one another and create trust. Our instructors then came in and began to give us an introduction to what business looks like from the inside out. The way they spoke to us gave us the sense of a real brotherhood and not just another class to push participants through. There was a connection and support in helping us understand the material being taught to us. It gave us not only hope for a second chance in life, but for a successful future in ways we could only imagen before. In the second half, we continued to work on our business pitches for the “Big Idea” Event next Friday. The excitement that we feel cannot be put into words. The opportunity being offered to us is a blessing and not available to everyone. After we all had a chance to do our pitches to the class we were told that our first day of “Toastmasters” would be tomorrow and were given a crash course of how it will be run. This course will be focused on helping us with public speaking and presenting speeches. We were given examples of icebreaker speeches from the servant-leaders and  then we prayed out for the day.

Juan A. – AKA “Pancake

Friday                                                                                                          June 20, 2025

     We started the day by praying in and began our first day of “Toastmasters.” This is a course where we learn to improve our public speaking and how to properly present a speech. The format was given to us, and we were instructed on what our first speech will be about. Each participant was given the opportunity to give an “icebreaker” speech where we spoke about who we are and how we came to be here at the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. This provided us with a greater view of who our brothers are and moved us further from the classmate mindset and closer to a brotherhood. Next, the in-prison management gave us a little of his background and how he had to overcome some struggles to achieve success in his life. It was a highly motivating story for us and helped us to see the strength that lies within us all. It was amazing how everyone showed one another respect as each person spoke about their lives and shared with the class about their personal struggles and past mistakes. The stories were captivating and showed us the person beneath each surface. We ended the day by praying out for our brothers and wishing everyone a wonderful day.

Juan A.

Expressions

    “In order to have what you really want; you must first be who you really are.”

-Tim Grover

     I believe one of my biggest problems throughout my life was my need to be who everyone else wanted me to be. Through my journey in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program I have learned how not to try and fit in so much that it changed who I am. PEP has shown me how to become my authentic self and by doing this I have begun to receive the results that I have always wanted out of my life. This quote reminds me daily to remain true to myself in every circumstance. The result will be that I will always have contentment in my life because I will not be living a lie.

Dalton B. – AKA “French Vanilla”