We are proud to report that Shon Williams, LCCR’s Reentry Specialist, was recently accepted into the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program. This program is designed to cultivate leadership skills and systems-level thinking among nonprofit leaders with a focus on sustainability and community impact. Shon’s LCCR colleague, Policy Director Tiye Davis, introduced him to the program, knowing it would be a valuable opportunity to enhance his work as a Reentry Specialist. Already certified in Peer Reentry Support through Via Hope, Shon is eager to continue growing his skillset.

Emerging Leaders is specifically tailored to BIPOC leaders working in youth development, making it an ideal fit for Shon and his youth reentry work. He is particularly excited about improving his communication and leadership abilities to better serve his community.

“I want to be able to tell stories that resonate with my young people and really drive home the importance of the message,” Shon shared. Having spent 26 years in prison as a former juvenile lifer, Shon deeply understands the challenges young people face when reentering society. “It’s about being aware of yourself and what you need,” he said, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical health during reentry.

Recently, Shon helped one of his clients—a young man recently released from prison with untreated high blood pressure—get the medical care he needed. Shon accompanied him to a local clinic, ensuring he received proper treatment—a small but critical step in the young man’s reentry process. That is part of why Shon loves his work; he can be there every step of the way.

LCCR Executive Director Kristen Rome shared: “as an organization, we really understand the reality that the people closest to the issue are the people closest to the solution. Shon’s participation is promoting that he has an extremely specific lived experience that is the same as many of our clients.” She went on to say, “We need Shon to lead us and to help us find a better solution for our young people. We need to invest in him as a leader so that he can be that for us.”

As Shon continues his work at LCCR, he has committed to applying what he learns from the Emerging Leaders program to become an even stronger mentor and advocate for youth. His cohort will meet monthly through April 2025. He hopes to use his experience and new skills to not only provide more opportunities for his clients but also inspire future leaders within the New Orleans community.