In this episode, Arti Finn sits down with her mentor Rick Segal, an author and pioneer in the world of impact investing. Rick shares insightful lessons from a career of backing entrepreneurs, lessons that matter not only in business, but also for anyone fighting to rebuild their life. For those who dream of launching a business, big or small, Rick says persistence and focus are the most important elements. “Rejection is real,” he says. “It comes often, way more often than you’d like. You have...
In this powerful episode of Second Chances@Work, host Arti Finn sits down with Keidrain Brewster, a formerly incarcerated entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Big Reform Movement. After serving 13 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice—beginning at just 17 years old—Keidrain has transformed his life and is now the CEO of Brewster Logistics, a growing trucking company employing more than 15 people. Keidrain shares how the loss of his younger brother and mother during his incarce...
At Alameda County’s Juvenile Justice Center, a dramatic transformation is underway. Once operating near its 300-bed capacity, the facility now serves between 42 and 60 youth—a shift driven by intentional reforms, collaborative leadership, and a strategic embrace of technology. This episode of Second Chances at Work dives into how Alameda County partnered with Orijin to integrate a digital learning platform that does far more than deliver education. Orijin is now embedded into behavior managem...
In this inspiring episode, Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, sits down with Tanaine Jenkins—TEDx speaker, award-winning recidivism strategist, and national advocate for probation and parole reform. Her journey spans military service, banking, incarceration, and ultimately finding her voice as a national leader. Today, Jenkins serves as Director of the Florida Safety Coalition and State Organizer for Reform Alliance, the nonprofit founded by Meek Mill and others after Meek’s pr...
In honor of Second Chance Awareness Month, this episode of 2nd Chances @ Work features the remarkable John “Divine G” Whitfield — the justice-impacted changemaker whose real-life story inspired the critically acclaimed film Sing Sing, starring Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo. Divine G’s journey from wrongful incarceration to founding Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) inside New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a powerful testament to how creativity, self-expression, and comm...
In this episode of 2nd Chances @ Work, host Arti Finn sits down with Solomon Baymon, Director of Roca Western Massachusetts, to explore how relentless engagement, education, and customized pathways are transforming the lives of high-risk young people—and ultimately increasing public safety. A Springfield, Mass., native, Solomon spent 15 years in corrections, rising to Deputy Warden before making a bold move—walking away from his pension and career stability to join Roca. Now, instead of ov...
This episode was recorded when Orijin was still known as American Prison Data Systems. In this episode of the 2nd Chances Podcast, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Arti Finn sits down with Kimonti Carter, an entrepreneur, educator, community activist, and social strategist, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. Carter shares his powerful journey and lived experience—from receiving a life sentence as a teenager to his release in July 2022 after serving 25 years in prison. In th...
In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Anthony Barwick II, who turned a ten-year prison sentence into a thriving business with Privileged Paws, a mobile dog-training and care service. Anthony shares how a dog-training program during incarceration became a lifeline, teaching him resilience and sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. From the challenges of reentry to launching the innovative "Pup Bus," Anthony’s story highlights the power of second chances, family support, a...
At Orijin, we believe in the power of second chances and the remarkable potential that lies within every individual. Antonio Arnett, one of our most inspiring team members, is a living testament to this belief. Known at Orijin as the "Swiss Army Knife," for his myriad skills, Antonio’s journey from incarceration to inspiration is a powerful story of transformation, and unwavering determination. A Journey Rooted in Resilience Antonio’s story begins in Washington, DC. Like so many other peop...
In a recent episode of Orijin’s Second Chance @Work podcast, Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Orijin, had an insightful conversation with Jason Spyres, CEO and Co-Founder of Training All People, Inc. (TAP3D). Spyres’ journey from incarceration to becoming a tech entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring, offering valuable lessons and hope for both justice-impacted individuals and correctional administrators. His story begins with a challenging childhood. Despite being rais...
As we continue to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Isme’s story of resilience and transformation highlights the profound impact of mental health on personal growth and change for justice-impacted individuals. Growing up, Isme, 30, faced physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, and sexual abuse at a young age. Her turbulent childhood led her to run away from home, drop out of high school, and become a mother at the age of 15. These hardships could have defined her, but Isme's l...
Larry Miller's Remarkable Story of Resilience and Redemption is a testament to the transformative power of education and second chances. From his upbringing in West Philly to his involvement in gang life, Miller's journey took a tragic turn when he committed a crime at 16, resulting in imprisonment. However, while incarcerated, he seized the opportunity to pursue education, earning his GED and eventually becoming valedictorian. Determined to rewrite his story, Miller pursued higher education ...
Warren Allen's story exemplifies the power of education and resilience for justice-impacted individuals. From navigating the challenges of incarceration to spearheading initiatives like The Truth Group, Warren's dedication to learning transformed lives. The introduction of Orijin's tablets and learning platform not only enhanced access to education but also equipped individuals like Warren with vital tech and workforce development skills. Now, as a Campaign Associate with the Citizen Project,...
In this episode of Second Chances @ Work, meet Saulina Eady, and learn about her powerful journey from incarceration to empowerment with the help of Orijin. Serving a four-year sentence in a Baltimore prison during the pandemic, Saulina faced trauma being separated from her children and lacking access to education and resources. Introduced to Orijin in a Washington DC jail, Saulina found hope and purpose through its educational platform, completing 24 certificate programs. Despite init...
This episode was recorded when Orijin was known as American Prison Data Systems. On this episode of 2nd Chance Podcast, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Arti Finn interviews Entrepreneur and Chief Operating Officer, Kimonti Carter, an Educator, Community Activist and Social Strategist. Carter shares his background and lived expertise, from being given a life sentence as a teen to his release in July 2022 after serving 25 years in prison. Carter shares his take on...His relations...
On this episode of 2nd Chance Podcast, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Arti Finn interviews Entrepreneur and Chief Operating Officer, Kyle Moon who shares his story of addiction, incarceration and now running a thriving membership organization, The Summit Lounge. Orijin.works
On this episode of 2nd Chance Podcast, C. Kenyatta Leal, Executive Director of Next Chapter, an organization that offers justice-impacted 8-month tech career apprenticeships. Kenyatta unpacks his road to incarceration and his release from San Quentin Prison on a life sentence, and the power of a positive mindset; rewards vs consequences. Orijin.works
Bite-Sized Updates, Insights and Stories around Corrections Reform with Host and APDS Co-Founder Arti Finn - On this episode - Stages of the Mindshift Orijin.works
On this Episode of 2nd Chance Podcast, featured guest LaToya Newson, Former Administrator of the TN Dept of Labor & Workforce Development speaks about how Tennessee has Reimagined Corrections, The Future of Workforce, Investing in the Justice-Impacted, Connecting through 'French Toast, and so much more! NOTE: This Episode of 2nd Chance Podcast with LaToya Newson was recorded in March of 2023. The thoughts and opinions mentioned are not those of the Department of Education. This podcast ...
On this episode of APDS 2nd Chances Podcast, host Arti Finn speaks with Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections about the role of education technology, improving outcomes for justice-impacted individuals and the importance of growth as a person, to keep living within corrections. Orijin.works