When Jesse talks about home, his story begins in Detroit, in neighborhoods where dreams were fragile and survival was essential. “I grew up mostly on the east side, around Highland Park. I moved through foster care and sometimes stayed with family, but I was always moving from place to place,” he shares. “It was a poor urban community, but that’s where I’m from.”
Jesse's childhood was a patchwork of lessons about what was visible, possible, and real. He aspired to be a basketball player, but the people he saw who were “making it” didn’t play for the Pistons. Instead, they were the ones with fast cars and full pockets, the ones who seemed untouchable. “That’s what I wanted to be,” he says. “Growing up, seeing drug dealers not just surviving but thriving, that’s what success looked like to me.” This honesty comes not from pride, but from perspective. “When you grow up seeing struggle every day, you start to dream about whatever feels close enough to reach,” he reflects. “Back then, that’s what I thought I could do.”
The Blueprint He Knew
Now, Jesse looks back at those early years as motivation for something greater. “That experience taught me everything I needed to know about what I don’t want. I don’t want my children and other kids to grow up like that. I want them to see something different, and this goes beyond just changing circumstances. I had to shift my mindset. I’m breaking that cycle, which means changing how I act, how I work, and how I view myself.”
However, that change didn’t come easy. When Jesse returned home from incarceration, he had a clear vision of what he wanted: steady work, a fresh start, and a chance to prove himself. What he didn’t expect was how many opportunities would remain closed to him. “The job search was tough,” he says. “I applied everywhere, warehouses, oil shops, car washes, anything where I could use my hands. I was willing to take any shift, full-time, part-time, or seasonal. But as soon as they asked about my criminal background, it felt like the decision was already made. I’d see ‘Now Hiring’ signs all over in construction, manufacturing, and retail. I would apply, go to interviews, be a perfect fit, and still get told no. It didn’t make sense. Everyone says there’s a labor shortage, yet people like me are still out here trying to find work.”
The Door That Finally Opened
Everything changed when Jesse's cousin informed him about a seasonal construction job that was hiring immediately. “I had only been home for about eight months, and I needed money to support my family. I was looking for something steady. They called me, interviewed me, and asked me to watch the safety and training videos. By Monday, I was on the job. It was that quick.”
That simple “yes” marked the beginning of a stable job for Jesse. He now works alongside operators and laborers repairing and rebuilding the freeways in Detroit. His days start early and are filled with hard labor: digging trenches, guiding machinery, preparing ground for concrete, and locating underground pipelines. “It’s tough work,” he says, “but I love it. It keeps me learning and keeps me moving.” He has learned to use power tools, read site plans, and adapt to the demands of each day. The physical work helps him stay in shape, and the discipline keeps him focused.
More Than a Season
Jesse understands that his current role is temporary, but he refuses to view himself as seasonal. “To me, stability means consistent cash flow,” he says. “This job provides that for me right now, but I’m already thinking ahead. If it ends, I know I’ve done well enough to be invited back next season, or I can use what I’ve learned to start something of my own.”The plan is already in motion. Jesse is saving money to buy a truck, not just for convenience but to gain independence as an entrepreneur. He explains, “With a truck, I can start a moving business, plow snow in the winter, do delivery work, whatever I need to keep going. I don’t want to wait for someone to hire me; I want to create my own opportunities and opportunities for others like me.”
What he is learning on the job is preparing him for exactly that. “Even though this job is seasonal,” he emphasizes, “the skills I’m acquiring aren’t. I can use them anywhere. They don’t expire. To employers debating whether to hire someone who was formerly incarcerated, I would say give us a fighting chance. Yes, we’ve made mistakes, but don’t judge us on those. Judge us on who we are now, how we show up, and what we do moving forward. A person who never grows remains stuck. And being stuck means being stagnant. We’re not stuck anymore.”
As businesses continue to face worker shortages, Jesse’s story serves as a reminder that a person's talent, grit, and work ethic don’t vanish with a mistake. They simply need a fair chance to shine.
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