From Transitional Work to Workforce Director: Terrell’s Career Climb

Terrell grew up in Los Angeles, navigating a challenging environment characterized by economic hardship, gang influence, and substance abuse. With his mother frequently absent, he struggled to find guidance and stability during his formative years.

These circumstances developed a mindset dominated by anger and hostility.

“I was a selfish, greedy, callous person who only thought of himself, who believed I had to get all I could when I could,” he said.

“And crime was the only tool I thought I had to do that.”

His choices eventually led him into the criminal justice system at age 23. Initially, incarceration did not prompt reflection or change. Instead, he became further entrenched in harmful behaviors and negative influences within prison.

A pivotal moment came when he faced solitary confinement, isolated for 23 hours a day for an entire year. The experience forced him to confront his actions and identity.

“I had been removed from society because I was violent and dangerous, and I was now in solitary confinement for the same reasons, so I had to ask myself if this was who I was and who I wanted to be,” said Terrell.

His reflections led him to recognize a strong desire for positive change, and he set goals to change his future. When he was released back to the general prison population, he pursued them with passion and drive.

His first decision was to separate himself from gang life on the yard by joining a book club and the prison church. Then, he enrolled in the prison’s voluntary education program to get his GED, taking two tests a day. With every test he completed and passed, his confidence in his potential grew, while his initial fear of change diminished.

His time spent studying, reading, and at church introduced him to new and better ways of thinking and new and better people. He joined self-help groups to separate himself from his former lifestyle further and to deal with his addictions and depression, and he found a new cellmate who was also pursuing a path to improvement. His hard work and dedication resulted in his transfer to a lower-security prison.

After receiving his GED, he continued to push forward, enrolling in the college program at the new prison, where professors taught him in person. He succeeded, with flying colors, impressing his instructors and eventually graduating with a degree in communications and an honorary certificate in business marketing and management.

“I always told myself that I was a fraud, that I wasn’t a studious type of person, but I was determined to prove that voice inside of me wrong,” said Terrell.

And he didn’t stop there. After receiving his degree and certificate, he enrolled in a computer technology course. He signed on to work in the prison library, where he developed a love for books and spent six years working among its shelves. Then, in 2020, he was finally up for parole, an opportunity he had been awaiting for 23 years. He believed he was finally ready to prove he could return to the world as a healthy and constructive member of society. But then, just a few days before he was to receive his evaluation, his mother died.

“My mom wasn’t always around, but any understanding I had about doing good growing up, even though I didn’t listen, came from her,” Terrell said.

“When she died, I had to find a new reason to go on.”

The tragedy undermined his focus and confidence; he failed his evaluation, resulting in three additional years in prison. During that time, however, he joined a grief and loss program, began counseling other inmates, and learned to put his hope and trust in himself. In 2024, he was finally released from prison at the age of 54. After 30 years behind bars, he says that freedom was unsettling at first, but due to his extensive work on self-improvement, he was ready to embrace the challenges of reentry and hit the ground running.

“The lifestyle I had developed on the inside, the education I gave myself, it was all preparing me for when I got out,” he said.

He moved into transitional housing, where the staff there introduced him to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). The interim job he acquired there, beautifying highways, allowed him to establish savings and buy a used car from a family member to get him to and from job sites. While he worked, the staff helped him to find a new, more stable career, and the environment at the program reaffirmed his confidence that success and stability were just around the corner.

“To find a staff there composed of women and men who’ve been to prison, and to see it run so smoothly and professionally, it was impressive,” said Terrell.

“And seeing people like me making it happen and living productively made me proud, and I felt hope.”

He didn’t have to wait long for that hope to be validated. Terrell's job coaches at CEO connected him with SLA Inc., an advanced training program offering a pre-apprenticeship in landscaping through a local union. An eight-week program that teaches people the ins and outs of their mission to beautify urban areas through hands-on experience and classroom instruction, SLA Inc. helped Terrell become a state-approved and OSHA-certified apprentice, ready and eligible for well-paid union work. And when he completed the program, SLA Inc. recognized his ability and potential by giving him a job.

“I’m now their Workforce Development Director,” said Terrell.

“I speak with congressmen and council members at city hall to get contracts from the city.”

Since starting in the position, Terrell says that his intellect, drive, and professionalism have contributed to his success at SLA Inc. Most recently, he secured three new major city contracts that he is now personally in charge of overseeing. Additionally, he serves as a mentor and facilitator for other initiates to the SLA Inc. program from CEO.

“I let them know that I understand what they’re going through, the fears they may have about finding a job,” he said.

“It’s a blessing for me because my background enables me to teach, help, and usher them through in a way that makes them more comfortable.”

Thanks to his newfound stability, success, and purpose, Terrell is now looking forward to a brighter future and bigger dreams.

“I have money in the bank, I have a sound mind, and I’m a productive citizen today because of CEO,” said Terrell.

“Now I want to make movies, I want to write, and I want to start a nonprofit organization providing professional clothing, instruction, and training for men who have just come out of prison and need help reintegrating into society.”

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