Michael Talley

Michael Talley is candid about the harm that excessive sentences often inflict on communities. “How do such sentences help an individual, society, or their family?” he asks, adding “these sentences fracture and destroy, if anything.”

Michael’s own experience with incarceration had a prolonged negative impact on his relationship with his sons, both of whom were “kids” when he entered prison, and “young men” when he emerged. Michael questions the logic of a system that “is designed to be chaotic and a destruction of life and family, delegating a segment of the population to second class citizenship, and ensuring recidivism,” emphasizing the difficulty of growing up without a parent during one’s formative years.

As a returning citizen, Michael has made the most of his freedom by founding J&M Commercial Cleaning Services and co-founding ReEntry Coaching Academy, two ventures he opted for in order to “avoid the hassle of trying to secure a job with a criminal history.” With a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University and a life coach certification, Michael possesses the tools to aid fellow returning citizens with the difficult journey of reentry. And Michael has indeed deployed these tools to help others create “a life vision for them through programming offered to returning citizens at the ReEntry Coaching Academy,” displaying his dedication and aptitude in doing so.