The goal behind the Returning Citizens documentary is to shed light on the important and urgent issues of prison reform, re-entry, community rehabilitation and more. We hope this film can be used as a catalyst for communication, understanding and action.
To get involved, we encourage you to host a screening in your own community and use it as an opportunity to raise awareness for local and national organizations that are in need of support. For screening inquiries please
Tyrone Parker – Alliance of Concerned Men
Tyrone Parker is a founding member and present Executive Director of the Alliance of Concerned Men (“the Alliance”), a nationally renowned Washington, DC based nonprofit organization whose mission is to combat juvenile crime by providing life and social aptness skills to the youth of Washington, DC.
The event that catapulted Mr. Parker into becoming one of the area’s leading authorities in fighting juvenile crime was his orchestration of a truce between two of Washington DC’s most notoriously violent rival gangs–the “Avenue and Circle”. Many local leaders felt that such a feat could not be accomplished because of the rival’s long violent history. However, Mr. Parker and the Alliance remained stead-fast and dedicated to seeing a sustainable end to the neighboring violence. Mr. Parker’s success in negotiating such an unprecedented truce not only garnered local attention and accolades, but several national print and media outlets also lauded Mr. Parker and the Alliance for their unwavering efforts.
For more information on the work Tyrone Parker does, and to support his organization “Alliance of Concerned Men” visit: allianceofconcernedmen.com
Lashonia Etheridge-El – The W.I.R.E
As a youth Lashonia Thompson-El made a series of bad decisions that landed her in prison for a violent crime where she spent 18 years. In prison she set out to reform herself and make atonement to the utmost of her ability. Lashonia was released on parole in December 2011.
In 2013 Lashonia launched The W.I.R.E. (Women Involved in Reentry Efforts). The W.I.R.E. is a network of previously incarcerated women who are committed to investing in the leadership of women currently incarcerated and women returning from incarceration. She is also a member of the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls.
You can support the work Lashonia does by hiring her as a guest speaker for your event or purchasing a copy of her newly published memoire “Through the W.I.R.E.”
For more information visit:
Lamont Carey – LaCarey Enterprises
Lamont Carey is a critically acclaimed motivational speaker, prison re-entry expert, spoken word artist, entrepreneur, author, artist and advocate for changing lives. He uses his life experiences as a delinquent youth, formerly incarcerated prisoner and an artist to inspire individuals, employees and communities. He believes if a person feels limited in opportunities and that their voice doesn’t matter, they will under perform or rebel. Lamont’s goal is to show individuals that no one can place limits on them or silence their voices but themselves. People who believe they lack control of their own lives are controlled… by themselves. In order to step into our greatness and to achieve our life goals, we have to know success is the only option.
As an artist and businessman, Lamont has appeared on several TV shows including The Wire, Def Poetry Jam and Lyric café. He has received many awards such as Poet of the Year, Congressional and Senate Awards and the 2012’ Visionary Award from the Black Caucus of State Legislators. He is currently involved in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ “Collateral Damage- America’s Failure to Forgive or Forget in the War on Crime” report. The goal is to change the laws that continually limit convicted felons from life changing opportunities.
For more information on the work Lamont does, visit: