staceybooks

If you’ve followed my journey, you already know that Persevere isn’t just a nonprofit to me – it’s a purpose. It’s a mission born from lived experience, hard lessons, second chances, and the belief that people can rebuild their lives when someone believes in them. And now, as we prepare for 2026, I’m stepping into…

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much power we actually have over our own situations. Not over the things that blindside us – like job loss, tragedy, natural disasters, or moments we never saw coming. Life hands us storms we didn’t choose, storms we didn’t create, and storms we never felt prepared to…

Second chances are not created by hope alone. They are built through structure, policy, accountability, and intentional investment. After understanding the economic impact in Part 1 and the workforce opportunity in Part 2, Part 3 focuses on what actually works. What does a real second-chance system look like? What are the practices that move people…

In Part 1, we talked about the financial cost of incarceration and the wasted potential of keeping millions of people locked out of the workforce. But the truth runs even deeper. Second chances are not just about reducing the cost of imprisonment. They are about filling critical gaps in our economy, strengthening industries that are…

How we speak to someone can determine whether they respond with hope or despair. Words carry weight, and sometimes, they are the only thing holding someone together. The recent deaths of Kyren Lacy and Marshawn Kneeland, both just 24 years old, have shaken so many of us. Kyren Lacy, a former LSU wide receiver, died…

“Ban the Box” was designed to level the playing field and give justice-involved individuals a fair shot at employment without being immediately dismissed because of a checkbox on an application. The intent was simple: remove the question about criminal history so employers could see the person before the past. But here’s the hard truth: removing…

When it comes to reentry and second chances, one of the biggest mistakes we can make is believing that everyone impacted by the justice system needs the same type of support. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each individual’s story is different. Their trauma, circumstances, and choices may overlap in theme, but never…

We often talk about “second chances” like they’re charity, an act of kindness extended to someone who’s fallen down. But let’s be clear: second chances aren’t just good for the soul. They’re good for the economy. In fact, they’re one of the most overlooked economic strategies in this country. When we shut out returning citizens…

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and for me, it’s not just a campaign; it’s part of my story. I am a survivor. For years, I lived in a world where fear felt normal and peace felt unreachable. I learned how to read moods, not because I wanted to, but because survival required it. Abuse…

Every October, we honor Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), a time to shine a light on the realities faced by young people entangled in our justice system. But for many of us, this isn’t just an awareness month. It’s personal. It’s about faces, stories, and second chances that often never come soon enough. When I…