Professor Keith Wolaridge led an insightful discussion with a panel of formerly incarcerated community leaders on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Renegade Event Center with a full and diverse audience.
The panel included Dean Ross, whose accomplishments include being a pastor and a successful history in sales; Aguilar, owner of several local businesses; and Odessa Perkins, a local counselor and author.
They all focused on how they rebuilt their lives. While part of their journey may have been luck, it was sticking to the right mindset and putting in the work that got them on track.
Perkins was trafficked at a very young age by her mother to support her mother’s addiction. Her life spiraled to an even greater degree, and she found herself facing serious incarceration time. She had also been involved in a shooting near a nursing home while children were present.
Her record was finally expunged but she has not taken that good fortune for granted. One person she credits for looking out for her well-being as a youth was her high school counselor. She stated that “what you teach children goes down in them” and she works diligently to reach youth.
Now she herself has become a high school counselor who provides a hand up and a listening ear to those who need her most.
Ross encouraged former inmates and others to remain aware of opportunities. He explained that “opportunity is all around you” and to “be victorious” when you find success.
Ross encouraged others to believe in themselves and asked, “If you don’t believe in yourself, what’s the point?”
Since he knows people have failing moments regularly, he likes the idea of “failing forward,” saying that what you take from the failure and what you do with that lesson that matters.
While in prison Dean was a pastor and met fellow inmate Sergio Aguilar.
Aguilar notes that all people “have an issue” and to “work on the issue” will be the best way forward.
He also credits religion in his rehabilitation but adamantly speaks of how what people watch and hear make a huge difference in their mindset.
As a youth he remembers watching a movie that sparked ideas that were not wholesome at all. His message is: “What kids watch leaves a lasting impression and makes a level of difference.”
In turning his life around, in addition to God and friends, Aguilar mostly credits education and family.
In his words he knows that he “became a different person through education.” He got a culinary education in prison, crediting himself as “chef of the prison microwave.” Now he owns multiple businesses and is a successful local caterer.
Aguilar was fortunate enough to have family members in attendance during the speaking event to witness his gratitude for their continued support during and after his incarceration.
His mother was in attendance, and he quoted her statement to him in his younger years. She’d say, “Tell me who you’re hanging around with and I’ll tell you who you are.”
He wants people to understand there is hope if you sacrifice, work, and put in what you need to be successful.
All panelists hoped to motivate others to avoid the poor decisions they’ve made and to also encourage them to keep going, as hard as it may be, to be successful after mistakes and hardship.