IN 1995, AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES, MY LIFE TOOK A DRAMATIC TURN WHEN I FOUND MYSELF CONVICTED OF ARMED BANK ROBBERY. AT JUST 15 YEARS OLD, I UNKNOWINGLY EMBARKED ON A PATH THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY LEAD ME TO A 26-YEAR JOURNEY BEHIND BARS. I WAS A PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT, DRAWN INTO THE WRONG CROWD, AND IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I FOUND MYSELF IN JUVENILE HALL AT 16, STATE PRISON AT 18, AND FEDERAL PRISON AT 21. MY INITIAL SENTENCE OF 84 YEARS FOR THE BANK ROBBERY WEIGHED HEAVILY, BUT THROUGH RESILIENCE AND GRACE, IT WAS REDUCED TO 30 YEARS IN 2018, THANKS TO A CHANGE IN THE LAW AND MY UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO REHABILITATION.
During my time in prison, I didn't merely serve my sentence; I embraced every opportunity to change, learn, and grow. I attended numerous classes and even took on the role of an educator, guiding fellow inmates towards transformation. Upon my release into society, I ventured into the world of work, from Home Depot to Amazon, and eventually founding my own trucking business. Yet, something was missing—a profound sense of purpose. I was granted a second chance at life, and it became evident that my calling was to give back, to share my story, and to save at-risk youth from the costly mistakes that once defined my own life. Today, I proudly serve as a mentor and facilitator for Credible Messengers, an organization that works closely with the Dekalb Juvenile Justice Center and the Fulton County Juvenile Court. Our mission is to guide young men and women on probation, imparting life-changing wisdom and fostering personal growth.
Mimi English MSW (Community Outreach Worker)
Mimi was a single parent to both her children and my
siblings at the confused age of 21 yrs. old inheriting the responsibility of
raising 11 children after the death of her parents from A.I.D.S. Alone with no
guidance and involved in criminal activities she was lost. However, on this journey of self-love she found
individuals willing to walk with her on her newfound journey of self-love.
Unfortunately, due to her bad example, one of my sons got 10 yrs. for Armed
Robbery, it was during his time of incarceration she began to change her path
and started on a journey to help herself and other people/families lost with no
guidance as she once was. Going from a GED to an MSW from Georgia State
University in social work.
Currently, Mimi is a Southeast Credible Messenger/ Family Engagement Specialist / Group Facilitator and Mentor located in Atlanta, GA. She is an Outworker Worker for Cure Violence OAA in Atlanta. She is also a facilitator and the Family Engagement Specialist for an adult group called ACES (Adults Committed to Empowerment and Success) at the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta through PSN (Project safe neighborhoods) with the US Attorney’s office of NDGA.
Evita
grew up on the Southwest side of Atlanta (Adamsville) to be exact. Growing up she
chose to run the streets and became exposed to a criminal lifestyle. She lived
a life of crime and made a lot of wrong decisions in her life. One of those
decisions led her to prison and she did serve her time. She came home and seen
that there needed to be a change and she wanted to be a part of it...
She became a Southeast Credible Messenger, working with Real Talk About the Law
Girls Group, and currently working full time as a Cure Violence OAA Outreach
Worker for the Offender Alumni Association. She has had life changing
experiences and wants to be able to help change the trajectory of our communities,
one neighborhood at a time. She wants to continue to impact people’s lives in a
positive way.
Dominique Harris (Peer Forensic Mentor)
Dominique Harris reflects what happens when purpose
meets the right guidance. As a member of the first A.C.E.S. group—Adults
Committed to Empowerment and Success—at the Metro Reentry Facility, Dominique
was already doing the inner work, but it was his mentor, Arthur Powell, who helped
him see what that work could look like in the real world. Arthur didn’t just
teach—he modeled what it meant to lead with purpose, to heal while helping
others. That experience affirmed everything Dominique was leaning toward and
gave him the clarity and confidence to walk fully in it.
After his release, Dominique became a Credible
Messenger—someone who uses lived experience to connect with and guide others on
similar paths. He mentored youth through the Rocket Camp Credible Messenger
Summer Program and worked closely with Arthur, helping deliver Project Egress
and Anger Regression Therapy in both DeKalb and Fulton County courts. He also
supported mentorship efforts through Hearts to Nourish Hope in Clayton County.
Today, Dominique serves as a Reentry Specialist and Outreach Associate at the
Georgia Justice Project, where he also develops his own curriculum rooted in
hip-hop—using music to teach life skills, emotional insight, and
self-reflection. At Georgia Justice Project, he contributes to broader efforts
to end the cycle of mass incarceration through legal representation, policy
reform, and direct community engagement. His story is living proof of the
ripple effect one mentor can have—and how that impact keeps spreading.
Derrick "Big Dee" Sanders (Violence Interrupter)
Derrick
Sanders was released from the Ga. Prison System 10 years ago after serving
24 and 1/2 years. In his 10-year journey thus far he’s made several
achievements which he is proud of himself for accomplishing. He has written and
directed several scripts and launched a successful movie series. He has also
published a book and written movie scripts for others production companies.
His new passion is being a Southeast Credible Messenger. He is currently a Violence Interrupter for Cure Violence OAA in Zone 1 (Westside) of Atlanta working full time with the Offender Alumni Association. He is also a Mentor and Facilitator for the Juvenile Intervention Initiative hosted at the At-Promise Center on Campbellton Rd on Thursdays.
Cayson Robinson (Violence Interrupter)
Cayson Robinson is a
dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and community upliftment. As a key
member of the Offender Alumni Association, Cayson leverages his lived
experiences to inspire and mentor young people, helping them navigate
challenges of life and avoid the pitfalls that he once faced. His journey,
which includes overcoming the trials of both juvenile detention and level 5
prison, has shaped his deep commitment to making a positive impact on the lives
of others.
Cayson is passionate about creating a brighter future for his community. With a strong focus on fashion and sports, he is in the process of launching his own clothing brand, blending his creative vision with his entrepreneurial spirit.
At the core of Cayson’s life are his unwavering faith in God and dedication to family, which serve as the foundation for all his endeavors. Through his work, Cayson aims to be the mentor he wished he had, guiding the next generation toward a path of success and fulfillment.
Latonya Buford (Parent Advocate/Life Skills Coach)
For as long as I can
remember I have been passionate about the quality of care we provide children
and families. My background in
communications and education led me to parent education in. Since then I have been leading parenting courses
and workshops and have learned as much from parents (guardians); as I have
taught them. Out of my 9 years of doing
this work I believe what qualifies me the most, is raising my own three sons,
and one bonus-daughter. I often tell my
audiences that I was the best parent, before I had kids because I had all the
answers. Once I had them, I realized I did
not have all the answers.
As an avid athlete and overactive child I did love my
coaches along the way; “Coach” pushed you to your limits, dared you to be better,
and made you believe in yourself. As a
life coach I help you to clarify who you are, what your needs are, and what's
blocking you from moving forward.
A coach is not a counselor in that the focus is not on the
problem, but on the solution. Coaches also contribute their own expertise and
knowledge around a variety of topics. Frustrated with the lack of family
engagement as a teacher, and on the advice of my school Principal, I began
advocating for parents in 2004 and have never looked back. It’s an honor to work with parents helping
them to succeed at the most important job they’ll ever have. I am a graduate of Clark Atlanta University
and the proud mother of three teenage sons who are 18, 16, and 15. After living in Africa and The Middle East for
years, we now reside in Atlanta Georgia.
I believe in YOU, it's time you start believing in YOU too!
Tonya Winters-Buford
Life Coach/Parent Coach
info@lbwintersconsultating.com
(678) 266-2852
I believe in YOU, it's time you start believing in YOU too!
Life Coach/Parent Coach
info@lbwintersconsultating.com
(678) 266-2852
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