Cellmates Reunite After 30 Years in Entrepreneurship Program
The INVEST (Incarceration to New Ventures: Elevating Success Together) entrepreneurship program is designed to empower formerly incarcerated individuals with the necessary skills and mindset to become successful entrepreneurs. The program is operated by Pioneer Human Services in partnership with Vault89. Following is a story about two recent graduates.
Over 30 years ago, Greg (pictured left) and Jalil (pictured right) were incarcerated at Airway Heights Corrections Center. Jalil was incarcerated in Airway Heights first, and when Greg was sent there he became Jalil’s cell mate. Fast forward to today and the two men are participating in the INVEST program in Renton, Washington and suddenly realize that they know each other. Greg recognized Jalil’s voice in class and tied it all together.
Greg said, “Jalil was real quiet back in Airway Heights. We were cellies for about two years. He was one of the most chill cell mate’s I’ve ever had. We both had family visitors and minimal drama so we got along just fine and (he laughs) we ate a lot of ramen together.”
Greg continued, “A few weeks ago in the INVEST class I was listening to Jalil talking behind me and I suddenly realized that I knew that voice – I knew that man! I remembered that great speaking voice when Jalil and I shared our hopes and dreams while incarcerated. He was only known back then by a nickname J.E.W. - J.E.W. (Just Extremely Wise) so the name he goes by today, Jalil, was not familiar to me.”
The two men have had 30 years of catching up to do as they did not stay in contact after their release from prison. However, Jalil was not surprised to find that today Greg is now building a business around his games and currently working on building a board game into a video game. While incarcerated, Greg created board games in their cell using pieces of toilet paper and soap to mold into little figures. The figures dried like clay and worked great for the games. Jalil said, “Greg had a passion for games, but I was just a spectator.”
Greg’s Passion
Greg has been making games all his life. However, after his release from prison, he needed to make money and eventually landed work as a Union iron worker. He rose to the top as a journeyman but it was a dangerous job and he wasn’t happy. It was not fulfilling his passion for gaming.
Before his mom died, she encouraged him to follow his passion and he worked on his games, book and comic books on the side. Greg transferred into working for a warehousing company doing logistics because it was good money but he kept creating games on the side. However, when his father became terminally ill, Greg really started to reflect on his own life.
“I kind of flashed back to when my mom died and knew I could not focus on my job with my father being ill now. My boss told me to take whatever time off I needed and shared she would always hire me back. I focused on my life and what to do with it in the time I have left. I decided to cut ties with my job, use my savings and officially form my gaming business,” Greg said.
As a writer and a gamer, Greg wrote all the storylines that are attached to his main game, epic space odyssey Galactic Kata. He has created card games, comic books, a board game and published a book with the storyline. Also, Greg has started to build a membership following to build on the future video game coming out. You can join the game’s following and keep up on the news on his website here: https://www.galactickata.com/ and on Facebook HERE.
Greg is working on building a team of video designers to help him create the digital game now. His methodology is to turn everything into one over-arching game. His website is turning into a social game that ties into the card game, board game and eventually the video game. They will all be interconnected.
Greg commented, “I want my characters to include people of color and the under-represented so all can relate to the action figures in the game. My game will bring a lot more diversity from authentic voices.”
“The INVEST program was a Godsend for me as it has given me more direction, focus and helped me come out of my shell at a time when I am taking a huge leap to run my own gaming company.” He continued, “I have received direction and financial assistance for merchandising my card game and that will help to launch more interest in Galactic Kata. I can now make a prototype to help showcase the story.”
Jalil’s Business and Building-Community Focus
Jalil was a resident at our Pioneer Fellowship House residential reentry center and a client in one of our intensive outpatient treatment programs. He had been hired as a chef at a good restaurant where he really wanted to work. The position was based on a 30-day probation period on how he performed. Jalil shared his background and was told by management that it was not an issue. However, 17 days into his probation period the restaurant rescinded the offer based on his background check. This was very discouraging for Jalil so he worked on forming his own catering business.
“I started building a plan to expand into a cleaning service for commercial, residential and event spaces. That would be the income side of the business. In the INVEST program they helped me financially to form an LLC for my business called, Gemini Twin Janitorial Cleaning Service LLC,” Jalil stated. You can find the business on Facebook HERE.
He continued, “I am also in the planning stages for a business program within Gemini Twin that trains and encourages youth to clean-up the negative and defacing graffiti they make in the city and replace it (where approved) with beautiful murals that inspire and embrace the community. This initiative has been successful in California and other regions as a way to discourage vandalism and graffiti by replacing it with cultural and inspirational art that shares a positive message.”
Jalil is very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the INVEST program and for the connections he has made already. “I know I need to have a business that is financially sound, but the youth program will add a division to Gemini Twin that is very meaningful work and gives back to the community. The youth will learn to remove the negative graffiti and be taught how they can translate their artistic talent into positive work that feeds their soul,” Jalil expressed.
Both Greg and Jalil expressed that in the INVEST program they have learned to build up a resilience to negative thoughts and never give up on their dreams. Jalil said, “I wasn’t talking about my background before, but I have learned how to communicate about my past and turn past trauma into power. The classroom is a safe place to share your experiences and challenges, and feed off each other to hear positive feedback and constructive criticism. Being accountable for your actions, just showing up and becoming the best version of yourself is one of the best way you can give a positive example to others.”
Both men commented that the INVEST participants in their cohort were selected to have similar backgrounds so they could build on the synergy in the class and motivate each other. And they expressed their sincere gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in this unique experience.
Note: The next INVEST program starts January 27, 2025 and any formerly incarcerated person can apply HERE.