Meet the 2021 Pivot Fellows

ERNEST BOYKIN III

Boykin considers his time with the Pivot Program to be a tremendous period of growth in his life. In the virtual classroom with his professors and distinguished guest speakers, he learned something new every step of the way. Through Pivot, Boykin interned at LINK Strategic Partners, a strategic communications and stakeholder engagement firm. Boykin is continuing his work with LINK following his internship and continues to pursue his own venture ideas. “A lesson that has really stuck with me has been the Jesuit school of thought about helping the community and working to change the world for the better.”

TAI’ANTHONY CARTER

Carter said Pivot gave him the opportunity to hone his leadership skills and build the self-confidence he needed to combat the stigma around returning citizens. Through Pivot, he began an internship with DICK’S Sporting Goods and was hired in a permanent retail position. Carter also continues to work on his sports vending venture Equipt’d. “I always knew I was smart and that there was something bigger for me, but Pivot gave me the tools to realize that myself.”

LENARD DAYE

Daye’s passion for serving others and his experience as a Pivot Fellow landed him a job offer several weeks before he officially graduated from the program. He works as a mentor for youth in the juvenile justice system, sharing his story in the hope of guiding his mentees in the right direction. “My takeaway from the Pivot Program is that you are somebody versus just returning citizens. There are people that care about your well-being, and you can still have a life after coming home from incarceration.”

KAAMILYA FINLEY

When she started the Pivot Program, Finley was experiencing homelessness. Now, she has secure housing and a job with one of the country’s top consulting firms. Over the course of the year, Finley demonstrated her determination to succeed in the program and in her career. Just days before graduation, she received an offer for a permanent position with Deloitte. “I’ve been afforded the opportunity to no longer live the way that I was living, but to have a new life.”

2021 PIVOT GRADUATE EMPLOYERS

Deloitte

DICK’S Sporting Goods Georgetown University LINK Strategic Partners Negotiation Works New Beginnings Youth Development Center

CHARLES HOPKINS

With the experience and mindset of an activist and organizer, Hopkins was uncertain that a business and entrepreneurship program was right for him. But the Pivot Program gave Hopkins the confidence and tools to create his own vision of what an entrepreneur looks like — and how to serve others in the process. Hopkins interned with Fair and Just Prosecution and plans to continue advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. He is continuing his education through the MORCAGeorgetown Paralegal Program. “Pivot gave me a sense of self-confidence to go into areas that I would otherwise not want to go in because I didn’t think that they would be receptive.”

VICTORIA HUNT

Hunt said the Pivot Program allowed her to envision a career that bridges her two passions: athletics and supporting underserved youth. Starting with her internship with DICK’S Sporting Goods, she’s already seeing that vision become a reality. Her internship led to a permanent position at the company focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Pivot gives you time to really figure out what your gifts and your purpose are to help others and also be successful.”

PASCAL LAPORTE

Laporte said Pivot allowed him to transform from “felon to founder.” His ambition, charisma, and natural entrepreneurial drive led Laporte to intern with Flikshop, a growing company focused on keeping families connected with their incarcerated loved ones. Laporte plans to lead his own startup, Tenpen, which will empower other formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs. “I have surely been able to make a pivot to a new way of thinking, a new path, a new journey.”

MICHELLE MARSHALL

Even before beginning the Pivot Program, Marshall had an interest in finding business solutions to support people affected by incarceration. After interning with Vera Institute of Justice, Marshall is pursuing her entrepreneurship goals through several venture ideas. “No matter how old you are or where you are in your life, there’s always room for growth. It’s never too late to go back to school, and it’s never too late to want to change your life.”

LATASHA MOORE

Moore is passionate about serving others and creating educational opportunities for incarcerated people. While in the Pivot Program, she interned at American Prison Data Systems. In September, Moore joined the Pivot Program staff as a program associate. “I am determined to have a purposeful career that is focused on developing innovative solutions that improve education, job opportunities, and remove barriers for incarcerated individuals and returning citizens.”

DAVID SCHULTZ

Schultz’s graduation from Pivot marks one year to the day from his release from incarceration. He is committed to a career in the nonprofit sector with a focus on criminal justice reform and support for other returning citizens. Schultz interned at the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, and he accepted a permanent position with nonprofit Negotiation Works. “The Pivot experience has been wonderful. It’s been life-changing in the sense that it’s put me in a network and in a career field.”