MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Bessie Elmore“As the mother of a man who has just finished serving 24 years in prison, I know firsthand that there is nothing easy about keeping connections alive. From the outside, prison looks like a dark hole and all of the rules are up for grabs. Someone is sick… Someone is angry…Someone is lonely…Someone tells you leave me alone…Someone calls crying out for help every day…Someone asks for money… and Someone says nah, I’m all right.”
“I have been on that roller coaster and it is a hard, lonely ride. That’s why I started Straight Talk Support Group. Nobody can stop the confusion, but do not head out there alone.” For over 25 years, Bessie Elmore, co-founder and Executive Director of Straight Talk Support Group, has worked in the field of self-help as a support group facilitator and counselor in domestic violence. She is also an advocator for incarcerated individuals and their families. Bessie designs programs for ex-offenders, domestic violence victims and grandparents raising their grandchildren as Founder and CEO of Turning Corners Alliance. Since 2013 she has been reaching out to established organizations and esteemed individuals to create a platform for families of incarcerated individuals and returning citizens to help put their broken pieces together. The Osborne Support Group in New York was very instrumental throughout the developmental stages of Straight Talk Support Group in its mission to assist families in North Carolina. After hosting Straight Talk’s first open house, with a reception of more than one hundred interested supporters, Bessie began to grind her gears. She started reaching out and received consultation from W. David Guice, Commissioner of the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice for the North Carolina’s Dept. of Public Safety and entered into discussions with Harvard University’s Professor Bruce Western about reentry and the role families have in combating recidivism. Authoritarians in the field of mass incarcerations, such as Megan Comfort, author of Doing Time Together and Gina Davis of the Essie Group, have aided Bessie in her plight to bring Straight Talk’s visions to fruition. To keep abreast of current events and issues coming down the pipeline she attends conferences, as well as those held at the Burlington’s Reentry Symposium and Raleigh’s Reentry Council Meetings. This has opened up a multitude of opportunities including possibly collaborating with icons such as Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy and founder of Equal Justice Initiative; and Nicole Sullivan, Director of Rehabilitative Programs and Services of Adult Corrections. Her expertise is often called upon to deliver presentations on job readiness and building strong family units for incarcerated individuals counting those conducted at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC. She has participates annually in Our Children’s Place’s Family Day events at Orange Correctional Facility in Hillsboro, NC. Email: [email protected] Phone: (919)448-7394 |
MEET OUR STAFF
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Antione Reido-WashingtonMr. Antione Reido-Washington is an Evening Monitor with STSG. He was born in New York City, and just recently moved here to North Carolina. Mr. Washington has been involved with re-entry coordination and community based programs in Washington DC. One of these community based programs is Community Bridges, an organization dedicated to empowering girls to become leaders in their community. After moving here to NC, Mr. Washington became a peer support specialist and a mentor for at-risk youth at a non-profit organization called Wounded Healers, an organization with the mission to use their lived experiences to support justice involved individuals transition back to the community. Mr. Washington also does motivational speaking and giving counsel to justice involved men who are returning from incarceration. Mr. Washington's work with STSG is much appreciated!
Email: [email protected] |
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Edward ScottMr. Edward Scott is STSG's Weekend Monitor. Mr. Scott has been involved with STSG for multiple years. He is now a Peer Support Specialist and works with other organizations within the community that help justice involved individuals re-acclimate to society. These organizations are Wounded Healers and Success While In Transition (SWIT). Through his work as a peer support specialist and a monitor at STSG, Mr. Scott feels he has improved his listening and communication skills that are necessary when working with justice involved individuals during their transition. Mr. Scott is also the co-founder for a wonderful landscaping business called Comm.Unity.Based Landscaping. STSG is grateful to have such a motivated and reliable staff member on our team.
Email: [email protected] |
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Joseph HannahMr. Joseph Hannah is one of STSG's overnight monitors. Mr. Hannah was born and raised in a small town in North Carolina called Bear Creek. He moved to Durham in 1988, where he obtained his GED from Durham Technical Community College and was later accepted into North Carolina Central University. Due to life experiences Mr. Hannah has grown into a man that desired change in his life. The desire change inspired Mr. Hannah to help others change their lives. Mr. Hannah educated himself in order to be the best support he can by taking the following courses: Thinking for a Change, Character Education, Anger Management, Better Parenting, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous. Mr. Hannah has a very patient demeanor, great listening and communication skills that make him an asset with STSG. His next goal is to obtain the Peer Support Specialist certification. We are happy to have Mr. Hannah as part of the STSG Team.
[email protected] |
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Katrina BowlingMs. Katrina Bowling is STSG's Daytime Monitor. She was born and raised in Durham, NC, and her mission is to help people in many walks of life. Before coming to STSG, she has worked as a caregiver for assisted living patients. She enjoys spending time with her family and dog in her free time. Ms. Bowling spearheads the medications distribution in the morning, and makes sure that everything remains in order throughout the day. Ms. Bowling loves to learn new things and we are happy to have such a kind person on our team!
Email: [email protected] |
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Kingsley OkruwMr. Kingsley Okruw is the Monitor at STSG. He is elated to be working at STSG. During the week he works towards his bachelor’s degree in human health services/RN nursing. He has over ten years of experience working with Nonprofits Organizations such as, the Collins Center for Public Policy working on the foreclosure crisis, and the Albany Medical Center as a volunteer nurse/OT. He is looking to socially implement change for those who were wrongly incarcerated and individuals and families transitioning back to society through his work at STSG. We are happy to have an employee as passionate as Mr. Okruw!
Email: [email protected] |
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Michael OliverMr. Michael Oliver is a Lab Facilitator here at STSG. He is an extremely dedicated professional Employment Outreach Coordinator with 7 years of experience working in different educational settings. Mr. Oliver is skilled at identifying the needs of the job seekers he works with, and builds strong relationships with all who he works with. He is well-versed in all phases of job recruiting, which is very valuable here at STSG. Mr. Oliver is very passionate about providing employment readiness and opportunities for justice involved individuals. He also works at Jubilee Home, providing justice involved young men between the ages of 17-40 years supportive transitional housing that empowers the young men to go back into their community in a fruitful and meaningful way. STSG is excited to have Mr. Oliver on the team with all of his valuable skills in this work!
Email: [email protected] Phone: (919)945-4383 |
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Nora DickerMs. Nora Dicker is the Assistant to the Executive Director at STSG. She grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. She has always had a passion to help others. She went to Indiana University where she got her Bachelors in Social Work with a minor in Spanish. While at school, she worked at an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Ms. Dicker was part of the Crisis program, and enjoyed working in crisis situations. After graduation Ms. Dicker volunteered on the crisis line and provided childcare for the Compass Center in Chapel Hill. She appreciated the opportunity to work with survivors but also wanted to be able to explore opportunities working with justice involved individuals and prison reform. Through looking into organizations that work with people involved with the justice system, she was connected to STSG, and it is a great fit! We are happy with what Ms. Dicker has been able to accomplish with STSG.
Email: [email protected] Phone: (919)360-7793 |
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O’RourkeMr. O’Rourke is an Overnight Monitor for Straight Talk Support Group. He is more than thankful to be working for STSG and helping the residents that we have here within the organization. Mr. O’Rourke was born here in Durham, NC. He has over seven years of experience working with nonprofits within the community that serve to help those who have been incarcerated, as well as those who struggle with substance abuse. In 2015 Mr. O’Rourke received his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University; his focus of study was Criminal Justice. Mr. O’Rourke’s passion is to help those who have been incarcerated and helping individuals transition back into society in a positive manner through his employment at STSG. STSG is thankful to have such a dedicated member on our team.
Email: [email protected] |
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Rodney LoftonMr. Rodney Lofton is one of STSG's Residential Counselors. He was born in Durham, and has lived here most of his life. He has a passion for helping others in this community. One of his life goals is to be available to help others in any way that he can. He has over 20 years of experience in giving support in an empowering way for others. At this time in his life, he is able to focus on giving support to those who have been incarcerated through his position with Straight Talk Support Group. Mr. Lofton's skills in empowerment and guidance are clear and he is a valuable member of the STSG Team!
Email: [email protected] Phone: (919)491-6004 |
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Walter SpencerMr. Walter Spencer is STSG's new Residential Counselor. He is a graduate of NCCU with his Bachelors in Criminal Justice. Mr. Spencer is passionate about advocating for those who have been incarcerated, both juvenile and adult. Mr. Spencer started his career off as a counselor at RHA, which serviced people with mental disabilities. After a while, Mr. Spencer developed an interest in the effects of law within impoverished communities. He interned with Haven House where he worked with the gang intervention team, which deterred youth from joining gangs. Currently Mr. Spencer is in grad school for forensic psychology where he hopes to help people with mental disabilities through assessments. We appreciate having a staff member with his experience, and his passion!
Email: [email protected] |
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Marvin BullockMr. Marvin Bullock is one of our Weekend Monitors. Mr. Bullock Iives in Raleigh, N.C. now. He is from a small town on the East Coast, where he experienced homelessness and became addicted after serving in the USMC. He got into recovery after moving to Raleigh and joining a program called Healing Transitions. Mr. Bullock completed their program and actually moved on to become employed with Healing Transitions for almost 18 years. He worked in the detox/shelter helping other homeless and addicted men. Through this employment, Mr. Bullock learned the joy of helping others and service work. Mr. Bullock is happy to be part of the STSG team to have another opportunity to give back support that was given to him in his time of need. STSG is grateful to have Mr. Bullock, his skills, and his lived experience on our staff team, his recovery is motivating to the residents of STSG transitional house.
Email: [email protected] |
MEET OUR BOARD
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
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STEPHEN MADDOXStephen Louis Maddox was born on June 28th, 1974 in Hempstead, New York. Stephen and his older sister Melissa were raised by their single mother Arethia Williams. Stephen spent the first 18 years of his life growing up in a small apartment in Hempstead’s Park Lake housing authority complex that is located on Martin Luther King Drive. Stephen’s biological father abandoned the family when Stephen was only two-years old, and his mother Arethia William took the lead as the family’s provider, protector, and primary influencer.
Stephen spent his whole childhood growing up in Hempstead, New York and was exposed to the violence and poverty that impacted his community due to the crack epidemic that ripped apart urban cities across America in the 80’s and 90’s. Although Stephen grew up in the belly of the beast, his mother made a point to expose Stephen and his older sister to life outside of the housing projects. As a young black male with no positive male role models in his life, Stephen’s childhood was riddled with challenges, internal anger, and disappointments as he received daily reminders on how difficult his life was due to his environment and socioeconomic background. The power of prayers from his grandmother along with the instinct to survive which was instilled in him from his mother, Stephen found a way to avoid the criminal justice system, think big dreams, and ultimately graduate from high school the month of his 19th birthday. At the age of 19 Stephen moved to Durham, North Carolina with the ambition of earning a piece of the American dream. Stephen earned a position at IBM and worked 3rd shift on the personal computer manufacturing line, while attending college during the day. During Stephen’s 12+ year career at IBM, he received dozens of recognition awards for his leadership ability as well as several promotions that ultimately resulted in the start of his professional career. In 2007, Stephen accepted a leadership position at an international medical and communications device company based out of Gothenburg, Sweden where he worked 1o years in a full-time management position. In addition to his corporate positions, Stephen worked in his community with families that were impacted by social, economic, drug addiction, and mental health disabilities. During that 10-year period, Stephen worked with over 200 families that involved creating a personal treatment plan with measurable goals for his clients. Over a 3-6-month period, Stephen would spend several hours per week on the evening or weekends working with the families to implement interventions that allow them to achieve their realistic and measurable goals. Although Stephen had a six-figure salary at an international company and managed a $60M budget, his corporate management position did not measure up to the reward that he received from working with lower income families that battled from social, economic, drug addiction, and mental health disabilities. Stephen quickly realized that the lack of resources was a demon that impacted citizens from all ages, ethical backgrounds, and religions. Stephen developed an appreciation for dark days of growing up in New York and accepted the purpose of why his childhood was riddled with challenges, anger, and disappointments due to his environment and socioeconomic background. Stephen is married to his lovely wife Genee Murray-Maddox. Stephen and Genee are the proud parents of three beautiful children Mekiyah (22), Alexis (21), and Gavin (7). Stephen and his family currently reside in Durham, NC. In 2015 Stephen used justified force to save his life from a violent attack that resulted in him being charged with 1st Degree Murder. It was Stephen’s childhood and the exposure to what he had witnessed during the work that he had done in his community of Durham that gave him the strength to fight the State of North Carolina in a two-year battle to ultimately win a not guilty verdict in two-week Murder 1 trial. During Stephen’s two-year battle on a Murder 1 indictment he discovered that our legal and criminal justice system was flawed with subjective processes and procedures that were not in the best interest of seeking the truth and justice. In addition to Stephen’s passion for mental health, substance abuse, and anti-bullying, he also developed a passion for criminal justice reform. Less than two months after Stephen’s “not guilty” verdict, he started a non-profit organization called A Community of One that is now committed to raising awareness in the criminal justice system by drafting reform language, creating new protocol, and linking the lack of diagnosis of mental health and substance abusers in criminal cases for incarceration vs treatment. |
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS
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CELINA LOW JONESA community builder and mindfulness mentor, Celina advocates for liberation of the mind and heart. The transformation of incarcerated youth and adults she witnessed as an in-prison counselor, has inspired her to serve as a compassion-warrior for at-risk children. Celina holds a Master of Arts in infant and early childhood development. She is certified in contemplative psychotherapy and trained in mindfulness-based emotional intelligence, a model developed for the incarcerated population to build communication, conflict resolution, as well as resourcing and resiliency skills. Celina currently works with children of all ages and aspires to do more for children of incarcerated caregivers. Her work centers on relational learning, life-skills building, and contemplative wisdom. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in infant and early childhood development with a special interest in mindfulness. Joyfully married to a wonderful being, Celina lives as a global citizen travelling between the U.S. and Asia.
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CHERYL MCDONALDIs an Administrative Professional with over 20 years of experience working in private corporations and local government. She has been a facilitator with Turning Corners Alliance since 2002. Cheryl firmly believes that families should be educated with as much information available to them in order to help themselves and their loved ones who are incarcerated.
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SUSAN SIMONE“Simone” began prison work as a volunteer for the Paul Green Foundation, coordinating the Prison Pen Pal Project, matching professional writers with incarcerated writers – and leading writing workshops with poet Jaki Shelton-Green. In 2008 Simone started a weekly workshop at Orange Correctional Center. In 2012 William Elmore joined the workshop, introduced Simone to his mother, Bessie Elmore, and the Straight Talk Support Group.
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VE’GA J. SWEPSONVe’ga J-Swepson is a human services professional with a concentration in and mental health and academia. Her experience and expertise have enabled her to now serve as Resource Specialist at Durham Technical Community College. Ve’ga has provided facilitation, instruction and management at Wake Technical Community College and North Carolina State University. She also has twenty plus years of experience providing case management and intervention services as a Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional (QP) in Orange, Durham and Wake counties as well as within private agencies.
She completed both her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and Master of Science in Recreation Management degrees at North Carolina Central University. Ms. Ve’ga enjoys supporting her students, consumers and other youth with community, educational and employment endeavors. Ms. Swepson is a Girl Scout Leader in Durham County and volunteers at Community Success Initiative, Inc. and for various community events. |
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WILLIAM ELMOREWilliam, professional public speaker, whose topics focus on social justice, mass incarceration, school to prison pipelines, teens thinking smart, prison ministry and reentry and life beyond prison. He was the 2016 Abraham Galloway Fellow from Duke Divinity’s School for Conversion to serve at the organization’s Reentry Expert in their Church Beyond the Walls program. He is also a mentor and Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for Reintegration Support Network (RSN), a program that serves teens during drug recovery. William also provides personal service as a certified restorative justice mediator, consultant for prison preparedness and personal fitness instructor.
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ZELDA EVERSON- BOARD CHAIRZelda Everson is a non-profit consultant with twenty-three years of experience in board responsibilities, organizing operations and program development. She is the co-founder and executive director for SYSTAs 4 SYSTAs, Inc., a 501 (c)3 nonprofit, focusing on at-risk youth and female empowerment. Zelda is also a writer, author and content developer specializing in curriculum and proposals with a passion for social and criminal justice advocacy.
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