“I had an idea in my head of what freedom would be,” said Kevin Reese, criminal justice director for Voices for Racial Justice (VRJ). ”I would sleep in my cell at night and would still wake up with joy and hope in my heart of what it would be to leave. I’d be free and all of the oppression, and barriers, and gates and things impeding me would be erased. I knew it wasn’t true, but at the time that’s what I had to tell myself.”

Hope is what helped Kevin survive a 14-year prison sentence.

It is also what helped him find his voice and convinced him to pick up a pen and begin rewriting his life. This self-discovery eventually led him to his career at VRJ where he runs The BRIDGE — a grassroots partnership between incarcerated leaders and their families.

The BRIDGE is one of the few initiatives that allows those impacted by the criminal justice system to reclaim their power by working to abolish mass incarceration and reform the justice system. The central idea is about humanity; about being able to see past one’s crime and figure out what circumstances led to the situation, so in the future, participants can be connected to the resources, people and opportunities they need to be successful.

The idea, and the name, of his initiative, came to Kevin in a dream.

“I created The BRIDGE while I was in prison,” said Kevin. “I named it that because I was lying in my cell, on my bunk and I asked God, ‘What is it that you’re working on in my life?’ And sure enough, he told me, ‘I want you to build a bridge of people and be a bridge through and with people.’”

Being a bridge and connector is important to Kevin. It’s his way of honoring people, specifically the people who have walked with him along his journey. Growing up, Kevin had a narrow view of community and self-value, but that broadened once he understood the power of relationships.

“Community was (limited to) my family,” Kevin said. “My concept of it was different. Relationships were disposable to me because I grew up in a world where I was disposable. At 33, I understand the importance of people and the importance of community."

The relationships Kevin has created have not only changed him, but allowed him to change the lives of others. His unique ability to relate to and connect with his peers has allowed him to instill values of self-agency, dignity and mental fortitude in others. Kevin sees the best in people, fostering in them a confidence that allows them to be more than their mistakes.

This skill is apparent in his interaction with Ronelle Loving, a friend currently serving time in Faribault prison. According to Kevin, Ronelle could have played college basketball if he hadn't gone to prison. For many of the inmates, Ronelle serves as their resident lawyer, helping them litigate and understand their cases.

“He’s a brilliant man, Ronelle Loving,” Kevin said. He’s been in prison since he was 19. The world needs his contribution.”

Ronelle’s talent is no different than many of the men Kevin surrounded himself with in prison to establish The BRIDGE. Their stories shape the work he does outside of those walls.