Vera Institute of Justice

Event registration and breakfast begins at 8:00 am. Program begins at 8:30 am.

Access to postsecondary education for people in prison has the power to change individual lives and entire communities. Please join the Bank of America, Corrections to College California, and the Vera Institute of Justice for a breakfast briefing on the importance and significant benefits to the business community of expanding access to postsecondary education for people in prison. The discussion will frame the national and local conversations on this issue to highlight the implications for your community. Panelists will delve into findings from the Investing in Futures report and the Don't Stop Now report, focusing on the established economic benefits of higher education in prison—in areas such as public safety, employment, and state economy.

The conversation will also bring experienced perspectives from the Cleveland area together to break down the impact and the opportunities for every stakeholder involved including college leaders and employers including:

Cara Brumfield, Senior Policy Analyst, Economic Security & Opportunity Initiative, Georgetown Center on Poverty & Inequality Brandon Chrostowski, Founder & CEO, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute Jennifer Clayton, Deputy Director of Holistic Services, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Margaret diZerega, Project Director, Vera Institute of Justice Matthew Fieldman, Vice President for External Affairs, MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network William Gary, Executive Vice President – Workforce, Community, and Economic Development Division, Cuyahoga Community College Andrew Jackson, CEO, Elsons International Jeneen Marziani, Ohio Market President, Bank of America Jennifer Sanders, Education Director, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Rebecca Silbert, Senior Fellow and Director of Corrections to College, Opportunity Institute Michael Swiger, Executive Director, True Freedom Inc. Cheryl Taylor, Chief Officer - Advanced Job Training & Returning Citizen Initiative, Sinclair College

This is the third in a series of Investing in Futures events, in collaboration with Bank of America and Corrections to College California. It is preceded by events in Los Angeles and Detroit. Stay tuned for upcoming events in Charlotte and Boston.