Reformers Collective
Tori peterson
Foster Care
Mrs. Universe & Founder, Beloved Initiative
Tori Hope Petersen is a former foster youth letting her Abba Father be known through her stories. Tori is a wife, biological mom, adoptive mom, and foster mom. She is a national speaker, writer, and advocate who was recently crowned Mrs. Universe. Last year she founded Bring Beloved, a nonprofit that inspires foster youth to step out of victimhood and into a mentality of victory.
Through this ministry she grants children who are often unseen and unheard opportunities to see that the worst parts of their lives can be use for Good — to glorify God. In the fall on 2022 her memoir “Fostered” will be released with B&H publishing.
Drew Neal
Solutionary
Founder, Solutionary Ventures
Drew Neal's purpose is clear: help leaders and organizations grow by discovering wise and innovative solutions for their greatest challenges. As a Solutionary, reformer, and hybrid leader, his impact reaches across industries, multiple spheres of influence, and across 18 countries over the last 20 years. His entrepreneurial spirit has landed him as the founder of multiple small businesses in consulting, real estate, and public speaking as well as the founder of a non-profit ecclesiastical organization called Gen One in Detroit, MI.
As a strategist, Drew's wisdom and innovation has created courage for mission and purpose to be elevated as equally important to the bottom line. Investing into human capitol and emotional intelligence matched with leadership, grit, and lots of fun create a cutting edge for success in todays ever changing market. Drew's strong value on sustainability has birthed coaching experiences for founders, multiple training courses, and impact-investing opportunities. Being the son of church planters, he had a birds eye view into living a life of faith and purpose. He discovered what was possible when the passion of the local church, the resources of business, and the access of government would all converge. The future is bright. His new company Solutionary Ventures is currently building an ecosystem for start-ups that will unite and synergize his passion for solutions, growth, and funding for entrepreneurs who want to build enterprise around their purpose. Drew and his wife Melissa of 18 years reside in Metro Detroit with their five children.
Brad Cummings
Film & TV
CEO & Film Producer; Windblown Media & Shiloh Road Publishers
Brad is the CEO of Windblown Media, and Shiloh Road Publishers, and carries a passion for "telling compelling stories that unveil God's heart to the spiritually curious." He is one of the co-writers and publisher of the #1 NY Times bestselling novel, The Shack, which has sold over 18 million copies and has been translated into 40 different languages.
He also produced "The Shack" movie for theatrical release by LionsGate with Gil Netter, the producer of The Life of Pi and The Blind Side. He co-authored A Man Like No Other--The Illustrated Life of Jesus, and adapted the award-winning short film, The Butterfly Circus, into a book of the same title. Most recently, he founded Shiloh Road Publishers, teaming up with the award-winning, premier design firm Koechel Peterson & Associates, and served as the General Editor for The Founders' Bible.For the past several years he has co-hosted a weekly podcast entitled, The God Journey, which has an active listenership in over 135 different nations. He is the Executive Producer and screenwriter for a series of animated feature films on the great stories of the Bible. Prior to that, he was a pastor and conference speaker for 12 years, founding one the fastest growing churches in LA, the Malibu Vineyard, served as a short-term missionary in Haiti and Uganda, and has led missions trips to India, Scotland, and Germany. Before entering the ministry, Mr. Cummings served as one of the youngest executives globally for AT&T, and was acknowledged as one of the top salesmen in the nation. He brings with him over 25 years of wide-ranging experience within business, marketing, sales, publishing, merchandizing, film/music production as well as pastoral ministry.
Ferrell Fellows
Real Estate/Community Transformation
Broker & CEO, Kingdom Legacy Company
Ferrell is a Real Estate Broker, MBA, Certified Loan Signing Agent, Certified Tax Accountant, and Notary Public. Ferrell has helped countless buyers and sellers successfully close real estate transactions and has helped facilitate out of state referral closings and relocations to the Dallas, Ft. Worth area. Ferrell has consulted as a specialist for multiple Land Trust and Community Development corporations advocating for economic development in the South Dallas community.
Ferrell regularly volunteers feeding and clothing the homeless residents of south Dallas through various organizations including the International Street Church, Global Fellowship Church, The Human Impact and is actively seeking ways to dismantle systems of poverty through development, advocacy, and policy reformation. Ferrell founded Kingdom Legacy Company as a way to build ownership and wealth strategies for the uncommon investor. After seeing the sub par living conditions for many families, her goal is to provide quality affordable housing for residents creating safe, positive neighborhoods in one of the oldest, most central neighborhoods of Dallas. Ferrell is a wife and mother of two children and intends to successfully make an impact on many households through her development company Kingdom Legacy Company.
Tony Kim
Reformer
Founder, ROAR Academy
Tony Kim and his wife, Jessica Kim served ministries, organizations and government sectors mobilizing, training and addressing the hardest to serve populations and social justice causes and issues for over a decade before moving into full time ministry.
Tony & Jessica founded Renaissance International in 2009 with an apostolic call to train, equip, mobilize and release the church to reach the lost and fulfill their destiny to transform every aspect of society through the power of the Holy Spirit. They believe we are the generation to usher in the greatest harvest the world has ever seen. Tony is also the national director of Harvest International Ministries (HIM) and leads a global relational revival and reformation movement called "ROAR Collective.” They have three children and currently reside in Bakersfield, California.
Gabrielle Bosche'
Motivator
Purpose Company
Gabrielle is one of the most booked Millennial motivators in the world. She has been called the "next generation of motivators" by Tom Ziglar and is a popular TEDx presenter, bestselling author, and co-founder of The Purpose Company. Her work has been endorsed by the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Brian Tracy, Lewis Howes, and co-founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Marc Victor Hansen. Gabrielle has worked with everyone from presidential campaigns, the U.S. Navy and Air Force, and the top brands in the world.
Gabrielle quit her job at 23 to launch her first company, consulting major brands and the government on how to reach Millennials. Her breakout moment came when at a networking meeting she introduced herself as a "Millennial expert" to someone who would end up being her first client (the U.S. Navy). Gabrielle has written 6 books ranging from Millennial motivation, next-generation entrepreneurship, and how to find your purpose. Gabrielle's approach to life, love, and business is the self-deprecating deeply wise and insanely practical solution we need right now. Gabrielle has been featured in major media outlets including SUCCESS, NPR, Sirius XM Radio, Bloomberg Radio, Glamour Magazine, Business Insider, and Los Angeles Times.
William Ford III
Racial Reconciliation
Executive Co-Director - Certified Third Option Facilitator; 818 The Sign
Will Ford III is Co Founding Director of 818 The Sign, and is a Professor at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. As a Department Chair, he oversees the Marketplace Leadership Major. Many know him internationally, however, for his family heirloom passed down through history, and its connection to slavery and prayer for freedom. As a leader in the prayer movement, Will uses this “prayer bowl” (Rev. 5:8) as a catalyst for mobilizing prayer and teaching on prayer, unity, revival and societal transformation.
He believes that it was the prayers of a godly remnant of all races—who were revivalists and abolitionists—that brought revival to America and ultimately ended slavery. Receiving their mantle from yesterday, Will is actively training a new generation to release justice to the most marginalized today.
Priscilla Bordayo
Criminal Justice Reform
Priscilla is a local and National sexual abuse advocate. She has been sought out, as a motivational speaker by numerous community organizations, such as, her Local Law Enforcement, The National Guard, Prisons across the United States, both Public and Private Schools all to discuss her story of overcoming incest and bring awareness through education in order to end abuse. She has been invited to speak before the Senate and House of Representatives. She was apart of creating the “Clean Slate Bill” her first bill, that was signed by Governor Whitmer.
Priscilla has been featured on TCT, Moms Of Miracles, Driven By Women, The Every Day Series, Every Dope Girl, Cover Of Women’s Lifestyle Magazine (2019). She was the 2019 Women of the Year and 2020-10 over the next 10 award winner. She is currently up for the Governor’s award! Priscilla currently works for two non profits called EVE( Ending Violent Encounters) and Crime Survivors For Safety and Justice. CSSJ is her first National position where she is currently working on the Michigan Safer Act that focuses on victim Compensation and rehabilitation for those who commit crimes.
Amanda Lake
Real Estate Development
President of Redevelopment, Jim Lake Companies
Amanda Moreno-Lake has been in the construction and real estate business for over twenty years. She is currently serving as the President of Redevelopment at Jim Lake Companies and as an active general partner in several investments. She has completed the redevelopment of the downtown square in Waxahachie and is currently focusing on the redevelopment of the downtown square in Ennis, Cedar Hill, and Grand Prairie. Aside from real estate and construction, Amanda has owned her own fair share of businesses including a hair salon, western-wear store, trucking company, and is currently working on opening several restaurants.
In addition to Amanda’s business operations and partnerships, she has been part of the DART Board of Directors since 2013, serving as Chairwoman of the Planning Committee. She is also on the Dallas Arboretum Board of Directors, is a Bishop Dunne Ambassador, co-founder of Mammogram Poster Girls, and past Chairwoman of the Board for the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce and the Fair Park Texas Foundation Board of Directors. She was named and nominated again for the Dallas 500 in D Magazine.
Mayor StePhen Mason
Government
Mayor, City of Cedar Hill
Stephen was first encouraged to serve the city by his father, who was very active in the community and served on the Executive Board for the Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering alongside his dad, Stephen was inspired by the way the business community and residents worked together for a greater cause.
Stephen’s focus as mayor is on keeping Cedar Hill safe, clean, and green. He believes that the preservation of Cedar Hill’s green space and natural beauty improves quality of life and creates an environment where families and businesses choose to live, work, and play. Stephen is committed to comprehensive planning for the future of Cedar Hill’s development, infrastructure, and service delivery and is looking forward to completing the projects approved in the 2017 bond program that will provide enhanced amenities and quality of life for all Cedar Hill residents. Stephen holds a Master of Business Administration from the Neeley School of business at Texas Christian University. He is President of Mas-Tek Engineering, which provides geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services. Stephen and his wife have five children.
Alonzo Harris
Real Estate
Co-Founder, 2000 Roses Foundation, Inc
Alonzo Harris of Real Estate Partners, LLC is a Reformer working to transform the world, his community and lives one brick at a time. A long-time resident of Dallas, TX, with over 30 years of Real Estate Development, Investment and Project Management experience; Alonzo has taken to the streets to extend his building and business acumen to community transformation projects, affordable housing and prison reform.
Alonzo is the co-founder of 2000 Roses Foundation, Inc and the recipient of both the Tenth Street Historical District Lifetime Achievement Award-Delancey Street Foundation, San Francisco, CA and the Master Planning Development Award- The Last Freedman Town. His signature project, a Live/Work/Play project is located at Capella Park, a Potters House Church Development. He is currently working to revitalize the South Dallas Bottoms Corridor while serving as a bridge builder to bring like-minded individuals with a passion for the underserved and heart for God together with the resources to effect change world-wide. Mr, Harris is a BUILDER, not of just custom homes and townhomes.
Elizabeth
Tiam-Fook
Reformer & Prophet
Founder, International Young Prophets
Elizabeth Tiam-Fook is the founder of International Young Prophets, an apostolic ministry that is called to serve the “office of the next-generation prophet”. She believes that God is raising up a company of young prophets to impact the nations of the world with the Voice of God.
She leads “We Prophesy!” events in different regions of the United States which focuses on taking prophets into regions to prophesy, pray and worship. Additionally, each year Elizabeth gathers different streams and generations of prophets together for a National Prophetic Summit, which focuses on praying and prophesying over the United States. Elizabeth graduated from Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in Pensacola, Florida with a heart to serve the nations. She is the Next-Gen Ambassador for International Coalition of Prophetic Leaders and is ordained by Christian International (founded by Bishop Bill Hamon). Elizabeth currently resides in Maricopa, Arizona.
Elizabeth Guillen
Community Networking
Liz delights in meeting business owners and community members in Cedar Hill, the entire Best Southwest area, and the world beyond; networking is in her DNA! She enjoys community volunteerism, especially at her church, and is on several boards and teams, both personally and as a representative of Ruiz Financial Solutions, including the Neighborhood Advisory Board for Cedar Hill, Duncanville Chamber of Commerce Board, Leadership Southwest as a Cedar Hill Chamber representative, and Trinity Church’s Prayer Ministry. Liz is actively building her own businesses and enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Cuddles.
Jay Dan Gumm
Prison Reform
Founder, Forgiven Felons
Jay Dan Gumm is the founder and CEO of Forgiven Felons, a non-profit that serves the formerly incarcerated. This ministry was birthed in the heart of Jay Dan while still incarcerated. He saw firsthand how recidivism is a vicious and generational cycle and wanted to be a part of the solution. Jay Dan is also the host of top-ranked Background Check Podcast, where he interviews, people who have risen above their backgrounds including CEO’s, reality TV stars, as well as people who help people with backgrounds like Judges, lawyers, and State Representatives.
Going back into the prisons is also a part of the mission of Forgiven Felons. Jay Dan also owns a small business called Whatever You Need Done in which he helps men with jobs right out of prison. While Forgiven Felons is only a reentry housing program currently, the vision being planned out right now will have vocational trades, social enterprise, social services, leadership classes, and permanent housing for persons and families with felony backgrounds. The mission of Forgiven Felons is to help people with a past realize their future. When he’s not mentoring men who live in the Forgiven Felons transitional house, sharing his story in prisons, or on the phone assisting families with the intricacies of the Texas parole system, Jay Dan spends his days running Whatever You Need Done, being a chaplain for an Amazon Delivery Company, swimming in the backyard with his two girls, or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers to the demise of his Dallas Cowboys loving wife. Jay Dan has also been featured on the Mike Huckabee Show and Forgiven Felons has a documentary playing on Roku and Tubi TV.
Fran Harris
Business
Founder, Black Business University & Electra Beverages
Fran Harris has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC and many other networks and shows as a life, business & marketing coach. Her clients include solopreneurs, CEOs, non-profits, universities and billion-dollar corporations such as Coca Cola, Lockheed Martin, Wells Fargo and 3M. She hosted her own TV series, Home Rules, on HGTV, and is currently a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ESPN's family of networks including Longhorn Network, SEC Network and ACC Network.
Fran is also a former elite basketball player who is an NCAA Champion at The University of Texas at Austin and was a member of the Houston Comets' first WNBA Championship team. She's traveled to more than 30 countries as an athlete, business coach & corporate consultant, and has taught millions virtually and on stages around the globe, on a variety of topics including business, publishing, television, media, marketing, social media, online marketing and yes, sports success. Her Dallas-based real estate development company, Harris Real Estate Partners, develops commercial, residential and mega projects including sports complexes.
Dr. Jaquet Dumas
Education
Founder, All Nations San Bernadino
Dr. Jacquet Dumas is an ordained pastor, successful educator, and encourager of women. She has most recently started women’s seminars and conferences, created to encourage women to shatter the glass ceilings associated with their gender and titles. By doing so, women have been encouraged to go after their wildest God dreams. She is a cherished woman by her family - her husband, Apostle Sherman Dumas of All Nations San Bernardino, and her five children.
Trog Trogdon
Community
Founder, Kingdom Focus Coaching
Trog trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior at five years old and his faith in Jesus has shaped him ever since. After graduating high school, he earned his BBA and MBA from Campbell University in North Carolina. Following his degrees, Trog came to Texas for what he thought was a business opportunity, but the Lord had different plans. For almost twenty years, Trog has served in leadership roles for multiple ministry endeavors, such as being a Cares Team with Apartment Life Ministries, helping plant 1042 Church in Frisco, and being a Discipleship Minister with Christ Church Plano.
Just before launching Kingdom Focus Coaching, he served as an urban missionary and VP of Discipleship with Bonton Farms where he invested his time making disciples. Trog is married to a beautiful woman named Mendi and has three children, Sevyn, Rok, and Truth. If you get to spend time with him, you will often hear him talking about seeking first the Kingdom, losing your life in order to save it, and the importance of discipleship. He is passionate about helping the poor, sharing his faith in Christ, encouraging and equipping people to be all Jesus has called them to be.
Sherman Dumas
Religion
Pastor; Apostle; Founder, All Nations San Bernadino
Apostle Sherman Dumas is the Lead Pastor of All Nations San Bernardino and Las Vegas. His vast experience leading a multi-site church has allowed him to hone in on the skills of building strong, duplicatable church systems that help serve both the new and the mature believer. He has a strong passion to see churches operating in the supernatural with excellence, as well as transforming the cities they serve through impactful outreach and civic engagement. He places great importance on the necessity of both excellence in systems and the power of God. He is the husband of Dr. Jacquet Dumas, and father to five children.
Lexaay
Arts & Entertainment
Singer, Dancer, Creative Artist
Lexaay is an R&B singer, classically trained professional dancer, and creative artist from Dallas, TX (by way of the Midwest). She began formal dance training at 3-years-old and went on to train extensively in classical and contemporary styles. Born with a love for music, she Penned her first song at age 7; continuing on to record several demos. She is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where she double majored in Dance and Strategic Communication.
It was there she began her professional career; dawning the stage in original works by Dawn Marie Bazemore and T.Lang. Highlighting her career by taking center stage at the acclaimed Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Lexaay also attended Booker T. Washington HSPVA in Dallas, TX where she also majored in dance. In 2015, she was featured on Devy Stonez’s debut album, Rolling Stonez. Lexaay has since been featured and collaborated on projects with many local artist. She released her first solo single and video, “No Rest” in Summer 2020. Following up with her anticipated debut EP, Wild, But True in February of 2021.
sean Dunn
Media
President, Groundwire
Sean Dunn loves Jesus with all his heart and has been serving Him in full-time ministry for the past 33 years. He began serving in local church youth ministries, and in 1997 started traveling full-time as a speaker and author. After praying and studying trends and culture in search of a way to reach people who don’t want to be reached and won’t step foot in a church, the strategy for Groundwire was born.
As the founder and President of Groundwire, Sean has combined his calling as an evangelist with his gifting as an innovative entrepreneur. He is focused on creatively and effectively communicating God’s Word, Love, and Purpose to every young person. Through his leadership, Groundwire has grown to be one of the most influential and efficient evangelistic outreach ministries in the US, leveraging media and technology in order to share the love found in Jesus Christ with youth and young adults. The ministry saw 116,437 commitments to Christ in 2020, with a goal of one million professions of faith in North America by the end of 2022.
mayor rachel
proctor
Government
Mayor, City of Desoto
Texas-bred entrepreneur, Rachel L. Proctor, has revolutionized the way people lead in business and public service, and she has a history of serving her city of Desoto, Tx.
Ms. Proctor is the Owner and Administrative Director of the Neighborhood Christian Learning Center of Dallas, Inc. NCLC of Dallas has been owned and operated by Rachel’s family for nearly 30 years. A self-proclaimed market research junkie, Rachel has hit seven-figure sales marks as she’s built a versatile and trusted learning resource hub for aspiring and successful business owners alike. Dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills needed for success, Rachel provides free business training on concepts including branding, budgeting, profitability, productivity, and more. With an emphasis on real-world skills, accessible technology, and holistic learning, she helps students pinpoint their unique ideas and turn them into profitable, life-changing business ventures. Rachel is a two-time published author as well as a host of multiple live events to help women entrepreneurs get their start in business and leadership.
jason stockstill
Business/Venture Capitalism
President & CEO, Tangible Trading Co.
Jason grew up under the leadership and ministry of his dad, Larry Stockstill, who pastored the largest church in Louisiana. After high school, he started to feel the call to something different than what his family was use to and found himself in the world of business finance and venture capital. After starting and successfully funding two of his own startups which he still runs, he strives to help other entrepreneurs navigate the ferocious waters of raising capital for their business. There is a million things that can go wrong and very few things that can go right when it comes to venture capital.
Jason strives to help others quickly learn what has taken him years of learning, hundreds of books, academic journals, thousands of hours of market research , and patience to understand. Besides owning two companies, Jason also served as the COO of a large portfolio company within a family office in Southlake. He has extensive experience with all types of investment options and has built an extensive network of capital partners. Tangible Trading Co. is an international exporting and investment vehicle soon to launch a consumer facing application. Multiply Marketing is a media department supplementation for large churches/ministries with 1500 + members.
richard miles
Criminal Justice Reform
President & Founder, miles Of Freedom
The summer of 1994, Richard was wrongly arrested and convicted of murder and attempted murder. Richard was 19 years old and lost 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division, fighting for his life, innocence, and freedom. While incarcerated, Richard excelled utilizing the limited resources available in prison. After losing his direct appeal, Richard sought education as his outlet and obtained an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Trinity Valley Community College along with multiple vocational certifications.
Richard was released October 12, 2009 on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct, faulty scientific evidence and tainted identification. In June of 2012, Richard allocated a considerable amount of his compensation from the State of Texas to start the nonprofit, Miles of Freedom. “Miles” is an acronym for (Motivating Inspiring Law-abiding Enthusiastic Successful). Today the mission of Miles of Freedom has grown to provide holistic support for individuals, families and communities impacted by incarceration.
Jailynn smiley
Foster Care
Jailynn Smiley is no stranger to Foster Care & Adoption having spent almost three decades as a Foster & Adoptive Family Recruiter in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Jailynn has worked for several Child Placing Agencies including Child Protective Services and current serves as the Director of Foster Family Recruitment. The Lord has allowed Jailynn to share with Audiences from 1 to 10,000 the need for more loving, committed families to pour into His children and who have a desire to serve His children.
Diogo esteves
Business
Founder, Strategy Group Global
As founder of Strategy Group Global, Diogo leads a team responsible for helping families create effective financial strategies, so they can become financially independent and live the life of their dreams, 100% funded by passive income. Prior to founding Strategy Group Global, Diogo, who has been licensed in ten different areas within the financial services industry in the US, spent most of his time working in the fields of insurance, investments, mortgages, and real estate.
Based on the experience he was able to acquire along his journey, Diogo believesthat it is possible for anyone, with the right people, resources and strategies, toreach absolute financial independence in 7 years or less. With focus and clarity, theimpossible becomes possible. The possible, becomes probable and that’s where themagic happens.
John Bates
Business
CEO, John Bates Ministries
John Bates is a speaker, author, entrepreneur and serves as the lead pastor of Freedom Fellowship Int’l. in Waxahachie, TX. John has been in active ministry in multiple capacities since 1986. After serving in various church staff positions, he held a ten-year pastorate in Corsicana, Texas before becoming lead pastor of Freedom in 2003. In addition, he has a heart for the nations to see the world impacted with the gospel. Traveling to foreign countries for evangelistic work has been a constant in John’s life.
He has conducted ministry in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, South America, and the Caribbean. He has now been to 63 nations and has planted 9 churches located in Egypt and Honduras. He is a graduate of Southwestern A/G University and has obtained a Master’s degree from A/G Theological Seminary. As an author, he currently has three books written and is finishing his fourth book, “You are What You Eat” a book on how to apply the fruit of the Spirit to your life. His three other books are, "Inner Hearing", "Clear the Stage" and "Spread the Fire" which all are available on amazon.com. John is married to his lovely wife Shelli and has two beautiful children,
Michael L. Ware
Law
Attorney, Law Office of Michael L. Ware
Mike Ware is a native Texan; born in Temple and raised in Fort Worth, he graduated with honors from the University of Texas with a degree in philosophy. He then graduated from the University of Houston Law School in 1983, where he was research editor for the Houston Law Review and the Houston Law Review's Texas Rules of Evidence Handbook. After law school, he returned to Fort Worth as a law clerk for the Honorable David O. Belew Jr., United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, from 1983 to 1984.
He then began his private practice, specializing in criminal defense, and has been board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990. In 2006, he co-founded the Innocence Project of Texas, which helped launch the next segment of his career as the Special Fields Bureau Chief for the Dallas County District Attorney's office from 2007 through 2011. While working in the Dallas County DA’s office, Mr. Ware helped establish and was head of the nation’s first Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). The success achieved by the Dallas County Conviction Integrity Unit under Mr. Ware’s leadership has made it a model emulated by other District Attorney’s offices nation-wide. In July 2011, Mr. Ware resumed his private practice based in Fort Worth. He has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been voted a "Texas Super Lawyer” by his peers both as a defense attorney and as a prosecutor. In 2014 and again in 2020, Mr. Ware was selected as the Percy Foreman Lawyer of the Year by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association. In 2018, Mr. Ware was honored with the Judge Norman W. Black Award from the LGBT Law Section of the State Bar of Texas for his representation of the San Antonio Four, which was the subject of an award winning and Emmy nominated documentary, “Southwest of Salem”. Mr. Ware currently maintains a small private practice, he is an adjunct professor at Texas A & M University School of Law, and he has been Executive Director of The Innocence Project of Texas since 2016.
Leah Metzler
Criminal Justice Reform
Chief of Staff, Second Look Texas
Leah’s journey into criminal justice reform began when she read an article about a woman serving life without the possibility of parole for a first time drug offense. She began corresponding with her and was happy to see President Obama grant her clemency in 2015. Inspired by the advocacy work she witnessed she began to advocate for federal prisoners on behalf of CAN-DO, a grassroots organization that advocates for clemency for all nonviolent drug offenders. Leah was able to witness many more clemencies before President Obama left office.
Leah learned about the plight of juveniles in Texas after meeting a woman whose son was locked up for a crime he committed at 17. A member of Epicenter since its inception, Leah testified before the legislature in 2017 and advocated for the Second Look bill in both 2017 and 2019. Leah is a board member of The Giddings Community Resource Council and involved at the Giddings State School where she mentors youth.
Carl Sherman
Legislature
Texas State Representative
A man of strong religious faith, Rep. Sherman currently serves in the role of Senior Pastor in the Church of Christ. Out of his faith grew a desire to serve people through roles in government. Elected to serve as a Member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2019, Rep. Sherman proudly represents the citizens of House District 109. Rep. Sherman listens intently to his constituents and seeks solutions to their most challenging issues. He has been instrumental in promoting numerous bills on matters ranging from the Botham Jean Act to electronic bids for competitive bidding proposals. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, House Corrections Committee, House Administration Committee, and the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection created in 2019 by the 86th Texas Legislature.
He has been instrumental in promoting numerous bills on matters ranging from the Botham Jean Act to electronic bids for competitive bidding proposals. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, House Corrections Committee, House Administration Committee, and the Texas Commission on Judicial Selection created in 2019 by the 86th Texas Legislature. Nicknamed Mr. Hope, he hosted two Hope Summits highlighting social justice as it relates to the judicial process, law enforcement/policing, prison reform, and probation and parole. Prior to his election to the State House, Rep. Sherman took a strong and active role in local government and community engagement. His greatest joy comes from spending quality time with his family and five adorable grandchildren.
The D.O.C.
Arts & Entertainment
Rapper, Songwriter
The D.O.C. is widely regarded as one of the most skilled songwriters in the hiphop and rap genre. A native of Dallas, Texas, the artist born Tracy Curry began his music career as a teenager. In 1989, he released his solo debut, produced by Dr. Dre and remembered as a vital piece of West Coast Rap history. The D.O.C. was in a near-fatal automobile accident in California less than six months later, one that forever altered his vocal cords.
He worked to recover his voice, writing songs at Death Row, contributing background vocals, giving a lot of his time to Snoop Dog and others, and chasing after the world, to try and fill the void left by the trauma of the injury. He felt that his career was ruined, and it caused him deep pain every day for many years. In 2005, he had a child with Erykah Badu, who he says made him feel safe and at home. He encourages collaboration and legacy building to make a difference in the world, as well as leading by example through showing compassion and promoting education. His “this is real life,” “I’m not perfect; I’m just trying to do my best as God leads me” attitude is a breath of fresh air.