Lychner Summer 2026 Weekly Journals

Monday                                                                                                       October 27, 2025

The brotherhood was full of positive energy and love as we walked in today. We began by “turning up” our brothers as they danced to the music, putting everyone in a good mood. We all raced to our seats, and the last one to sit had to go to the back of the room to dance, reminding us of a Soul Train line. After we prayed in and gave God thanks and glory, the tone was set for a positive day. Our brother Anthony, also known as “Glitter-n-Glisten,” started the day by getting us to practice our pitches for the first event in the Business Competition. We were all excited to present our ideas and see who would be chosen as the CEOs for the next round.

We learned about market competition, market strategy, and differentiation within our business industries—all important concepts to consider when creating an accurate business plan. One of our brothers had a birthday, and we celebrated by singing him happy birthday in true PEP fashion. He then shared a few words about how much he appreciated the brotherhood and the support being given to him. The Servant-Leaders gave us a few pointers on how to sell our ideas to the executives and even added a little fun to our pitches. We closed the day in prayer, thanking the Lord for another blessing-filled day

Alex B.- (AKA “Sugar Cube”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      October 28, 2025

Today we had a guest speaker who talked about execution and wise stewardship and how to apply those values in real-life situations. We use these values daily, from small tasks to larger responsibilities. The speaker also shared his personal experiences in and out of prison. We were given a new book called Sacred Pace by Terry Looper, which teaches how to align our will with God’s Will. This book fits well with our other reading, True North, which focuses on finding our own leadership style.

During the second half, we pitched our business plans in front of the class to practice for the upcoming event on Friday. Presenting in front of a crowd helped us overcome the nerves we felt when we first began the class. The Servant-Leaders did a great job providing feedback and helping us make small improvements. We learned to condense a lot of information into a short time while still presenting our ideas clearly. We are excited for the opportunity given to us and pray each day for the people supporting us along the way.

Jason B.- (AKA “Empanada”)

Wednesday                                                                                                October 29, 2025

        Today began with a quick prayer and a few minutes of a fellowship seminar from our devotional team. Our two MCs then got “turned up”, dancing down the aisle while the class clapped along to the beat of the music, cheering them on. It allows us to get the fun flowing and the blood pumping to prepare us for the day. It also allows us to get used to having fun again in a positive way that unites us as a brotherhood. We then had a couple of words of encouragement from the last class’ valedictorian. Our first event is only a couple of days away and he made it a point to let us know that he believes in us all and wishes us all the best of luck.

     While some of us gave our pitches to the class, others were escorted to the computer room to take their first test on our Entrepreneurship workbook. Many of us had formed study groups and felt very well prepared for the test because of it. Each brother went in and came out with a smile, telling us all that he aced his own test. There have been many accomplishments in this first month, like overcoming the nerves that usually accompany public speaking, and we cannot wait to see what PEP has in store for us in the coming months. We ended the day by giving thanks to God for this awesome opportunity.

Today began with a quick prayer and a few minutes of fellowship led by our devotional team. Our two MCs then got us “turned up,” dancing down the aisle while the class clapped along to the beat of the music, cheering them on. It helped get the energy flowing and the blood pumping to prepare us for the day. It also reminded us how to have fun again in a positive way that unite us as a brotherhood. We then heard a few words of encouragement from the valedictorian of the last class. With our first event only a few days away, he made it a point to let us know that he believed in us all and wished us the best of luck.

While some of us gave our pitches to the class, others were escorted to the computer room to take their first test on our Entrepreneurship workbook. Many of us had formed study groups and felt well prepared because of them. Each brother went in and came out smiling, proudly telling us he had aced his test. There had been many accomplishments in this first month, including overcoming the nerves that usually accompany public speaking, and we could not wait to see what PEP had in store for us in the coming months. We ended the day by giving thanks to God for this incredible opportunity.

Gilbert C.- (AKA “Bubbles”)

Thursday                                                                                                    October 30, 2025

     We had a few volunteers come in and teach us the next two chapters in our Entrepreneurship workbook today. The lessons consisted of generating business ideas and initial evaluations on the industry they belong to. Many ideas were thrown around as an exercise and were tasked with coming up with suggestions on how to develop a working system for it. We learned how to create a skills analysis and identify gaps that we may be able to fill. All this had to do with the internal workings of the business and what it would take to, not only start the business, but to keep it growing and moving towards prosperity. The information was absolutely priceless.

     Next, we discussed the external workings of the business, such as marketing and networking to get the news of our business out to the public. We were then given time to practice our pitches once more in front of the class to get ready for the big event tomorrow. It is truly amazing how many obstacles we have already overcome in such a short time, many of us now speaking in front of a crowd like we have done it our entire lives. We are thankful for all the PEP brothers and staff who push us every day to be the best version of ourselves. Every day we learn something new and every day we grow a little more.

Gary C.- (AKA “Snoozy Sweet”)

Friday                                                                                                          October 31, 2025

     PEP has us on a new mission and we all came for a friendly competition. Our morning began by meeting our “Impact Champions”, volunteers who have decided to go through the entire journey of this course with us. They not only volunteer their time, but their expertise as well, giving advice and encouragement along the way. For the past month we have prepared for this day, learning to speak in public and use our body language to emphasize the message we are trying to get across. We have learned to project our voices and to enunciate the proper business terms, all the while having fun with it all.

     After lunch, we were blessed with a large group of executives who volunteered to come in and rate our individual business pitches on their viability, presentation, and passion that was demonstrated behind the pitch. They took the time to meet with us afterwards and give us further advice on how to improve our pitches and answered any questions that we may have had for them. This opportunity has been a true blessing to us all and we are all excited to see what PEP has in store for us in the coming months.

     We have all come to acknowledge that God is working in our lives through the executives who volunteer, the PEP staff, and the servant-leaders who have already graduated and spend their days guiding us through this new experience. The proof of the hard work we have all been putting in was visible today and we are all proud to say that it is because of this brotherhood that we have grown so much. We ended a wonderful day by praying for this family we have entered and for its continued growth. Thank you, PEP.

Participant Name (AKA “Fun Name”)

Expressions                                                                                                                          

“Rest at the end, not in the middle.”

-Unknown

     I love this quote because it helps me understand there will be a time to rest and that there should be no room for procrastination. It takes perseverance and dedication to get to the finish line. It brings satisfaction to know that there is a reward at the finish line, but we should not rest too long where it becomes a pause in the journey. PEP has shown us how to keep the momentum going and how to be self-driven. It is a power within yourself that only you can bring out, others can only show you how to do it.

Donald M.- (AKA “Lemon Drop”)

Monday                                                                                                               March 2, 2026

Hello, world! Today was a fantastic day to be in PEP. We started by giving thanks to God, then got motivated by music and praise reports. In case you are wondering, we use praise reports to encourage one another by acknowledging how we live by the Ten Driving Values (these are the values that the PEP program is based on). Next, we reviewed the upcoming week’s schedule and assignments. We then moved on to a presentation about our leadership statement and personal fit guidelines, hosted by the business plan team. We ended the morning with a spontaneous pitch log check. After this, we had count time and then returned to watch motivational videos.

Upon arriving in the classroom for the second half of the day, our peer educators (like our servant leaders but have been in the position longer) restated the program’s curriculum while encouraging us to remain positive in attitude and corrigible in behavior. Continuing the momentum, our In-Prison Manager duo, George Castillo and Martin Herrera, reflected on the struggles that come with change and how God molds us for the better. As Martin H. (PEP staff) shared, “To be great, we have to work for the rewards of change, and in the end, the reward is transformation.” To finish the day, we celebrated birthdays and continued pitch practice for the event coming up this Friday.

Joseph Fountain  (AKA “The Wonderbread”)

Tuesday                                                                                                   March 3, 2026

Today we started the day by praying in, then we presented our pitches to the class. We have seen the change since we first began. We have truly developed some skills in public speaking. Some of us faced stage fright in the beginning, but we have been able to overcome it through our brothers’ encouragement. Now we can speak in front of more than one hundred people. Our goal is to master public speaking and refine our pitches. We have accomplished these goals by lifting one another up. We found the Entrepreneurship class very informative. We learned that to succeed, you cannot be afraid to fail, and you should never give up.

We also learned about a nonrecourse loan, which is a loan where collateral is used as security, and if the loan is not repaid, the lender can claim that collateral. We had the opportunity to meet people who can give us real-world knowledge in the business field. These are people who truly care about our success. We are grateful to be part of this program and feel it is a true blessing to be around these people. We are also grateful for the volunteers (these people are called Executives)  who show up for us, share their wisdom and help us become better men and leaders.                                       

Bryan Galarza (AKA “Gobstopper”)

Wednesday                                                                                                March 4, 2026

Today we were able to sleep in because the previous class had a Servant-Leader meeting, so the Class of Summer 2026 did not have to be in class at 7 a.m. like most days. When we went to class, we participated in a ceremony called a “pray out” for brothers who made parole and are preparing to be released. A video is made where three of your closest brothers share words of encouragement to look back on after your release.

After lunch, we had devotionals. Any chance we get to talk about God is meaningful. We also heard an original song from Anthony “Glitter and Glisten” McKelvie, which was inspiring. At 4 p.m., we went to education, where we were graded by our peers on our Big Idea Pitch. We felt confident in our performance. Peer grades make up 20% of our overall score. After class, we studied for our Living in the Village test and hoped for a strong result. It was refreshing to step away for a moment. All in all, it was another enjoyable day of growth and change in PEP.

Andrew Garcia (AKA “Stewart”)

Thursday                                                                                                            March 5, 2026

We always start the day by praying in. Today we did things a little differently. We practiced how everything would be set up for the pitch event (Executives and staff will be at this event in which the class members will “pitch”/do a speech about our businesses). We have all been putting in hard work to get ready for the event. We feel confident in one another and have been lifting each other up. After practicing, we met in the classroom as usual and prayed in, then we turned each other up, clapping as we danced down the aisle. We all feel that dancing is a good way to have fun, not just for us but for everyone around us. It brings joy and confidence and helps us feel comfortable around each other.

After that, we did praise reports, which are short entries written by one brother to highlight something positive about another. It can be motivational or simply acknowledge something kind and helpful a brother has done. Overall, we had a wonderful day full of joy and excitement. We are all grateful to be here in the program, not only for the business aspect but also to learn how to grow as individuals and build character. We are thankful to everyone who is part of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.

Christian Garcia (AKA “Strawberry Chike”)

Friday                                                                                                                  March 6, 2026

We had a wonderful day today with our PEP brothers. Today was our “Big Pitch Event.” We were separated into groups of five, with classes of twelve participants and twelve executives in each of the five rooms. The executives heard our pitches and gave us feedback. We have been working on our pitches for a couple of weeks and refining how to deliver them. Today was our first event, and we will see where we stand, as we are all working toward becoming CEO. This process will eventually divide us into roles and teach us the duties of CEO, CFO, CMO and COO. We started in the classroom assigned to our group, then had the opportunity to hear from each executive in one-on-one feedback sessions.

After our one-on-one sessions, we moved to the next classroom and repeated the process with another group of executives, receiving additional feedback. More than sixty executives volunteered their time and knowledge to support our PEP brothers. It was truly a great experience to be part of, and it was only the first event. If not for PEP, we would likely never have had the opportunity to learn from these successful men and women and be mentored by them. We thank the PEP staff and all of the volunteers for giving us a second chance behind these walls and a fresh start when we return home.

Edwin Genis- Ramirez (AKA “Nacho Libre”)

Expressions                                                                                                                           

“You can have anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want in life.”

Zig Ziglar shared many powerful insights, and I am particularly drawn to this perspective as I move forward. We spend so much time trying to acquire more than the next man, only to want more in the end. It is all fleeting emotion and temporary joy. On the other hand, if you spend your time investing in others and helping them improve their situations, you not only become etched in their minds as someone who genuinely impacted their lives, but you also impact the lives around them. That is a feeling of accomplishment, and it lasts. What more could you want?

Michael Lewis (AKA “Vanilla Shake”)

Monday                                                                                                         February 23, 2026

Today in class we worked on our elevator pitches. We went up several times to refine our pitches and get them right. We have been working on our timing, body language, and the tone of our voices. We have learned which hand movements to use while speaking to capture the audience’s attention. We have also learned how to project our voices properly so everyone in the room can hear us. Each of us has improved in being prepared and open to the opportunity we have been given.

We have been challenged to keep pushing and trusting the process. Even though practicing our pitches has been repetitive, morale has remained high among us. Each of us has challenged ourselves and one another to be better than we were the day before. Many of us have memorized our pitches and can recite them without notes. Even those who have not been here long are close to reaching this goal. We have accomplished so much in a short time, and we hope to do even more.

We have been mindful of the time we had to complete our assignments. Time management is very important to us. We are grateful for the opportunity in front of us, and it shows how hard we worked in class today. With the Winter class helping us along the way, the tasks have been easier. With their help, we have been able to accomplish our goals more effectively. We are thankful for the direction the previous classes have provided us.

Jerald Celestine (AKA “Toaster Strudel”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      February 24, 2026

 Today was a good day to be alive and a great day for PEP. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. Being here, we are constantly put under pressure to grow and learn. We found that public speaking is a real and authentic fear that we must conquer to succeed. We discovered that we all share one common motivation – our families. We are also learning that we have more in common than we think. For us to look within and dig deep to discover our full potential is stressful and at times feels impossible, but there is something inside each of us that is ready to break free from a negative environment and mindset and shine. Pressure can burst pipes, but it can also create diamonds, and we will be diamonds.

We also learned that the possibilities are endless. Our ideas and business plans were creative, exciting, and full of potential. We found ourselves giving each other feedback that we would not normally give under different circumstances. We spoke to one another and gave constructive criticism to grow because we want to see the next man succeed in life and leave here as a better man. We are learning that not only do we believe in one another, but there are people here who believe in us and want to see us reach our full potential. We are deeply grateful to be here at PEP, and we will not take it for granted. We will dance our way to success.

Joseph Baeza (AKA “Donut Hole”)

Wednesday                                                                                                February 25, 2026

Today we had the opportunity to work on our Coat of Arms (individual project that has personal pictures and scripture and quotes), which we found enjoyable as it was an arts and crafts project. We also learned valuable information about finances in Living in the Village, which offers guidance on building and maintaining credit. We continued practicing our pitches and have improved in presenting in front of others. It helped us realize that when you truly want something and work for it without giving up, you can accomplish the things you set your mind to, and it feels rewarding.

We are grateful for this opportunity and feel blessed to interact with such wonderful people. We feel that we have gained brothers for life and that God is working in our life to help me accomplish things we once thought were impossible. Thank you, PEP. We never thought we would achieve some of the accomplishments we have made. We would also like to thank our families and friends and assure them that we will return home new men.   

Bobby Calhoun (AKA “Pink Panther”)

Thursday                                                                                                    February 26, 2026

This morning we had DJ Bobby F. (servant leader) on the turntables, playing music for the class right after we prayed in for the Class of Summer 2026. We also had our emcees, Brandon and Fredrick. Today at PEP, the reentry team came to speak with us about the PEP transitional houses, resources and benefits available to us upon completing the program, such as starting E-School (continuing PEP classes after release). They showed us where we will be living and how we can continue building our plans through PEP after release, becoming part of a lasting family and brotherhood.

After that, we prayed out and went to eat. During the second half, Brother Eleazar and the devotional team came to share the Word. Two men performed rap songs, and others shared their testimonies. We were then introduced to a new course called BetterMan and went over lesson one. It provided statistics that made a strong impact on us. We really appreciated the workbook because our goal is to become a better men. Around 4:30, after count cleared, we went to education for the Toastmasters class. It was nerve-wracking because it was our Ice Breaker, our first speech, and an introduction to ourselves. Due to time, only three speakers presented. At the end of class, we prayed out.

Hector Chavez (AKA “Cheeto Puff”)

Friday                                                                                                          February 27, 2026

Today we had Toastmasters and we learned a lot, and we were forced to look at ourselves under a microscope and tell our peers what we saw. We each had to first overcome the challenge of getting up in front of the class and speaking loudly and clearly about ourselves. We learned about our peers in the classroom today. We learned that we have all faced issues in our lives that have molded and shaped us into who we are. We believe we often present a persona that causes us to forget how vulnerable we can be. It felt good, even if only for a moment, to let our guard down and let our brothers get to know us better.

We learned in Toastmasters how to speak formally in a professional setting and the rules that should be followed. Each person had a specific role in helping others become better at speaking and better at listening.  It is not hard to see why businesses invest in their teams for the benefit of their companies. We are fortunate to receive this training through this program. To quote Ice Cube, “Today was a good day.”    

Amarr Clark (AKA “Graham Cracker”

Expressions                                                                                                                          

“Significance is always more important than visibility”

• LaQuiza McCollum

We live in a time when the superficial things we display become what others strive to achieve. Cars, jewelry, possessions and the like. There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but too often we forsake the principal things: morality, integrity, purity, honesty, openness and transparency to gain likes on social media. Most of the time, these internal qualities are not praised by the masses. Even doing the right thing can seem as though it may never yield rewards. Lasting treasures often go unnoticed and overlooked.

If you are reading this, I want to encourage you to live for what is significant internally. Then life will reward us richly with things of substance as well as possessions.

                 LeQuiza McCollum (AKA “Candycane”)

Monday                                                                                                        February 16, 2026

 Forty-one men stood and clapped their hands as we encouraged the Winter 2026 class alumni, or as they call it, “turn up” the Servant-Leaders (men who have graduated from a previous class who now assist the current class). As they paraded down the aisle, we saw smiles from ear to ear as these men showed their best dance moves. With no fear or sense of embarrassment, they executed each move with confidence. Donald Jones (PEP staff) grabbed the mic; introductions were made, and rules and expectations were addressed. Being part of PEP has created a sense of belonging to a brotherhood bigger than ourselves.

The former class members assured us that by the end we would be changed for the better, that we would grow as men and have the tools required to succeed after completing our sentences. They went over the curriculum, and we received firsthand examples of what is expected in our pitches (sharing with others about the business that we would like to create). Seeing the demeanor, cadence and confidence each alumnus showed while speaking into the mic was encouraging. We are thankful to experience the unique way PEP helps us let our guard down through dancing and fun names. To wrap up our experience, day one was a success and gave us hope that we can all change and become better men when it is all said and done

William A.- (AKA “Tostada”)

Tuesday                                                                                                      February 17, 2026

Greetings from the Class of Summer 2026. We welcome you on our journey. We arrived at the Lychner Unit to be part of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Being part of this program has been exciting and has allowed us to step away from the harsher environments of TDCJ. Not having to deal with negative mentalities and actions has been refreshing. We are very grateful that we were accepted into the program and have been blessed to meet such a great group of men. So far, we have been introduced to the program and have learned how to deliver an elevator pitch. (a 30 second introduction about our business). We are also learning about leadership and how it exists within each of us. It is teaching us to step out of our comfort zones.

We overcame the challenge of starting our pitches and selecting business names. We are very close to completing our drafts and preparing to pitch to the class. We have been given the opportunity to meet great people who have taken the time to ensure we are equipped with the tools to change our lives not only for ourselves but also for our families. First and foremost, we are grateful to God for blessing us with the opportunity to be part of this program. We are also thankful for our families’ love and support during this transition. To the PEP family, we are grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow through this journey we have chosen to embark on.

Corey B.- (AKA “Kiwi Kiss”)

Wednesday                                                                                                February 18, 2026

We only had half a day of class because the previous class had a Servant-Leader meeting. It was a day to practice our pitches and build our business plans. During the pitches, we could see growth in all our brothers. We started off slow and unsure, but we began to transform and heard strong pitches and great ideas. We learned to project our voices to command the attention of the room, as well as use our stance and hand gestures to engage the audience. We were impressed by the pitch coaches and the techniques they provided. We witnessed them take someone with no desire to pitch and turn him into an engaging spokesman.

We learned and witnessed the value of brotherhood and the desire to see the next man accomplish his goals while being willing to assist in any way possible and push him to be better. It felt positive and welcoming. In closing, we learned to refine our pitches with the understanding that in an elevator pitch we must communicate a point effectively in as few words as possible. All in all, it was a great day filled with positivity and motivation. We look forward to what tomorrow brings and to many more bright days.

Roderick B.- (AKA “Cool Whip”)

Thursday                                                                                                    February 19, 2026

Today in class we learned about Toastmasters (public speaking program) and how to speak in front of a crowd without pausing or relying on filler words such as “uh” or “um.” We also learned how to deliver a sales pitch with confidence. It felt like we were creating a commercial for our businesses to capture the attention of our audience. That was the most difficult part, standing in front of a crowd and speaking, but we did it, and it helped boost our confidence to speak to any room while pitching our business. PEP gives us the opportunity to grow and be the best version of ourselves. It helps us face our fears and gives us the strength, knowledge, and courage to accomplish the tasks at hand.

Being given the opportunity to be noticed, heard and taken seriously changed the outlook and character of our class. We think highly of one another and hold each other accountable to take PEP seriously. We are grateful to have come and experienced this brotherhood that helps lift the next man up. We finished class by closing with an uplifting prayer. The way the program is set up is amazing and unique. We have peers from the last class who help guide us through this process as we evolve and become better men. Thank you, PEP, for allowing us to experience these life-changing moments.    

Will B.- (AKA “Snicker Doodle”)

Friday                                                                                                          February 20, 2026

We spent the day practicing our business pitches in front of the class. Although some of us did not have complete pitches ready, there were many Servant-Leaders available to advise us through the process. It was a nervous experience for most of us to present our speeches in front of a crowd, but with the help of our fellow brothers/class members, we gained the confidence to speak loudly and clearly. It has only been a few days in the program, and we can already see the change it is making in some of us. We are eager to see what the future will hold for the Class of Summer 2026.

Many of us came into this program with a shy demeanor. Coming from where we do, being social is not typical, so this has been a big step forward in learning to become leaders and manage a business. We strongly recommend that all loved ones reading this encourage any friends or family who know someone in the prison system to tell them about this program. There is already a tremendous change in the people here, and it has only been a week.    

Jonathan C.- (AKA “Starburst”)

Expressions                                                                                                                          

“Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow-red, yellow, brown, black, and white-and we are all precious in God’s sight.”

-Jesse

    In memory of a civil rights leader, may he rest in peace; we chose to reflect on and reinforce his message of unity. PEP reflects this camaraderie wholeheartedly through the Ten Driving Values. Here we all wear white, and there are no injustices based on ethnicity or creed. We celebrate one another and take pride in each other’s success. This program has cultivated growth in each of us, teaching us to lean on one another in our struggles not only in this program but also within this institution.

Now as Servant-Leaders, our duty is to cultivate the next group so that, like us, they can continue to pass down these core values. This has proven results, with a near nonexistent recidivism rate, a network of entrepreneurs and mentors, and a code of ethics we can carry throughout our lifetime. This honor we share with friends, family and future generations to demonstrate the zero tolerance we have for intolerance and injustice among all of God’s children.

John A.- (AKA “Minute Maid”)