staceybooks

In a world where talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, Persevere stands in the gap. We train individuals who are justice-involved or facing significant barriers to employment, equipping them with the technical skills, career readiness, and personal development tools needed to thrive in today’s workforce. But we don’t stop at education. We help them…

Stress is one of those silent forces that creeps in slowly, and then suddenly feels like it’s everywhere. It shows up in the tension in your shoulders, in the tears you hold back during meetings, and in the sleepless nights where your mind races with a thousand unfinished tasks. It whispers lies that you’re not…

I was 24 years old when I packed up my life, my daughter, and every ounce of courage I had, and moved to Tennessee with her dad. That drive was more than just miles on the road. It was a leap into the unknown. I didn’t realize it then, but that move would change the…

There’s a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from constantly having to explain someone’s value. A fatigue that sets in when, time and time again, you find yourself justifying why a person with a criminal background or any barrier to employment is worthy of a second chance. A first chance. Any chance. We have built…

There was a moment in my life when I looked at my daughter and realized we were hanging on by a thread. I was a mother trying to survive, doing everything I could to protect her while everything around me was falling apart. We weren’t homeless, but we were close. Too close. The truth is,…

People love to throw out phrases like “Just get a job,” as if employment magically solves everything. As if the moment someone clocks in, all the barriers that held them back just vanish. If only it were that simple. I work with individuals rebuilding their lives, people who’ve been locked out of opportunity because of…

There’s a quiet but powerful shift that happens when you stop living for success and start living for significance. At first glance, being self-motivated sounds like the gold standard. It means you’re ambitious. Focused. You’ve got your eye on the prize, and nothing’s going to stop you. You set the goals. You chase the goals.…

There’s a moment every person waits for when they’re behind the walls – freedom. You count down the days. You dream of open skies, hot meals cooked by family, your child’s arms around your neck. You imagine stepping outside and somehow picking up where you left off. But what no one tells you is this:…

When we talk about building stronger, more resilient organizations, we often focus on talent, innovation, and culture. But what if the key to a thriving workforce is found in those who are most often overlooked? Hiring people with criminal records, using person-first language and recognizing their humanity, isn’t just a charitable act. It’s a powerful…

Let’s stop pretending this is just a rough patch. This is rock bottom. This is betrayal wrapped in silence. This is everything you worked for, gone. This is waking up every morning with a pit in your stomach and pretending to function while quietly screaming on the inside. You didn’t get a warning, no “brace…