Finally, I prepared a document to initiate the conversation with my resources in the community. One set of circumstances just seemed to build on another to present an opportunity and the result is the evolution of leadership to executive leadership. Someone has to look at this issue from the executive leadership perspective and asks, "What can we do?", and be willing to take a risk where others will not for the sake of change and growth. With the issues of mass incarceration in the United States it is evident that we lock up everyone while expecting change, and after decades of fighting a losing battle in the drug war, we should relieve the taxpayers of this burden and take a different approach to those who have issues with drug use. This is not to say that we should promote drug use, but if a first-time, nonviolent drug user wants to change their life, then shouldn't we set them up for success instead of taking their citizenship away and sentencing them to a life sentence of stigma, blocked employment opportunities, housing, and education?  

 

Artifact 5 is a business proposal that addresses program outcome #6.

I put together a business proposal to partner with drug treatment centers and halfway houses in the Memphis community to provide income, skills training, and leadership development to people who are convicted, first time, non-violent, drug offenders. My thinking is that “Instead of just walking away from my business, I can offer skills training in carpentry, painting, flooring, sheet rock work, and basic small business skills.” Although I am not meant for contracting the rest of my life, I can set up a partnership between my for profit business and local nonprofit businesses to help some of the men and women who are making an honest attempt to get past their mistakes. Although this business proposal is in the beginning stages, I have constructed a working document and begun discussions with some of my contacts to see where this could fit. I’m only one side of the conversation, so the application of this partnership in the real world is complex and full of challenges. Ultimately, I can take the assets that I currently possess and reconfigure them for a greater social purpose. I am still going to leave the contracting business behind, but all along the way, I have received clues that have influenced me to fill this need. The Del coursework, experiences I’ve had along the way, and the people I have talked with helped to shine a light in what seems like the obvious choice.