Justice Champion Spotlight: Second Chance Hiring Alliance
Featuring SCHA Members, DC Central Kitchen, Calloway & Co., and Lillian’s Southern Box Catering
Second Chance Hiring is not just a business effort — it involves the whole community. Companies that connect with local peer-to-peer business networks and community-based organizations can gain expert guidance to strengthen their hiring practices, tap into overlooked talent, and build wraparound supports to help justice-impacted employees thrive.
One such network is the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) in Washington, D.C., led by the nonprofit Council for Court Excellence. SCHA is a coalition of local employers and employment support providers working together to expand job opportunities for justice-impacted individuals — sharing best practices and cultivating fair workplaces. RBIJ proudly serves as a Core Group Member.
We heard from the SCHA and representatives from three of its members — Dr. Ja’Sent Brown, DrPH, MSW, Chief Impact Officer at DC Central Kitchen; Erin Calloway, CEO and Fundraising Counsel of Calloway & Co.; and Kenya Jenkins, Founder and CEO of Lillian’s Southern Box Catering — on how collaboration empowers communities and drives sustainable growth.
Second Chance Hiring Alliance
To start, can you tell us more about how the Second Chance Hiring Alliance’s approaches this work?
By strengthening relationships and facilitating collaboration between employers and the organizations that work directly with justice-impacted job seekers — and by raising awareness around the importance of Second Chance Hiring — SCHA believes we can significantly increase the numbers of justice-impacted individuals who are successful in securing sustainable-wage, career-trajectory employment.
We connect D.C.-area employers to justice-impacted job seekers, job readiness and workforce development programs, D.C. community-based organizations, and D.C. government agencies that serve returning citizens. The SCHA focuses on educating employers on the benefits and importance of Second Chance Hiring while centering the voices of those who are impacted by the justice system.
From left to right: Brooke Pinto, Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember; Misty C. Thomas Zaleski, Executive Director, Council for Court Excellence; Brian L. Schwalb, D.C. Attorney General at the “Talent Beyond Barriers” event.
How do these efforts benefit businesses and communities alike?
Second Chance Hiring means less recidivism and stronger communities. Stable employment is a crucial factor in reducing re-arrest and re-incarceration rates. In fact, individuals with criminal records who find steady employment are significantly less likely to return to prison and can provide for their families. Ensuring people can rebuild their lives and contribute to society saves vital public resources and fuels economic growth.
This work also addresses workforce shortages and expands the talent pool for businesses. With over 70 million Americans nationwide — and 1 in 7 individuals in Washington D.C. — having arrest or conviction records, inclusive hiring strategies allow industries to tap into motivated, capable workers.
Beyond helping meet recruitment needs, Second Chance Hiring also fosters a positive work culture and boosts company performance. Second chance employees are often loyal to their employers and perform as well as or better than others in their roles. Overall, a diverse workforce, enriched by individuals with different life experiences and perspectives, leads to increased creativity and innovation across the organization.
Can you share a few standout projects that illustrate the SCHA’s impact and work in the community?
Last April, we co-hosted “Talent Beyond Barriers: A Business Exchange on Second Chance Hiring” with some our Core Group Members the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC) and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice. This exciting event featured panels, expert speakers, and technical assistance and coaching for D.C.-based business owners and employers looking to hire justice-impacted workers. There was also time for networking and a reception with other attendees — including business leaders, employment professionals, policymakers, justice-impacted residents, and workforce development programs.
From left to right: Elisa M Ortiz, Deputy Director; Gene S. Downing and Aayushma Bastola, Policy & Education Associates, Council for Court Excellence’s SCHA team.
This past March, SCHA and our partners at GWBCC co-hosted a webinar releasing SCHA’s latest publication, “The Workforce Solution: D.C. Employer’s FAQ for Second Chance Hiring.” This valuable resource provides answers to questions business owners and employers have about the legal requirements, financial incentives, and protections available to them as they expand their applicant pools through Second Chance Hiring.
Broadly speaking, building and maintaining strong partnerships with our incredible network is our biggest success!
DC Central Kitchen
How does Second Chance Hiring align with DC Central Kitchen’s mission?
DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) has long been a house of second chances, combating hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. We firmly believe in the transformative power of a job, and that everyone deserves the chance to share in the dignity of work while contributing to our community. Food is the tool we use to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities by providing hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed.
DCCK Culinary Job Training Program Graduates.
Across industries, employers are increasingly prioritizing practical expertise and certifications over traditional four-year degrees. How is your organization’s skills-based Culinary Job Training Program preparing students for success?
DCCK's acclaimed Culinary Job Training Program (CJT) has helped more than 2,300 individuals find their pathway to a new career over the past three decades. Over the course of the 14-week program, our students learn the fundamentals of cooking — from basic knife cuts to mother sauces to fabricating whole proteins — and leave the program with a culinary certificate along with other important certifications that separate our graduates from others during the job search process.
Additionally, CJT students work on soft skills, like teamwork, communication, and trust, throughout the program to address the traumas and environmental issues that helped create some of those barriers that have hindered their success for so long.
Do you have any success stories of Culinary Job Training graduates that you would be comfortable sharing with us?
We're proud of all of our graduates for trusting the process and seeing the program through to completion. More than half of DCCK's current staff of 320 are graduates of our Culinary Job Training program with a number of those staff members serving in leadership roles, including two of our culinary instructors who work with our students every day.
There are hundreds of success stories we could share. One that comes to mind is Antonio W., who came to the program after 15 years of incarceration. After graduation almost six years ago, he came to work at the Kitchen and has worked his way up to be one of our most trusted managers at our social enterprise cafe in the lobby of our headquarters at the Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs & Justice. A small slice of his story is included in this piece at the 4:40 mark.
DCCK staff at one of the cafes in the Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs & Justice. Antonio W. is fourth from right.
Given your work as a conduit between talent and employers, what advice would you give businesses who are considering Second Chance Hiring?
Do it! Be patient. Give them the opportunity to fail forward, as much as possible. Be one of the few people in that person's life who believe they can succeed when given the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes.
Calloway & Co.
What does Second Chance Hiring look like at Calloway & Co. and what originally inspired you to embrace this approach to finding talent?
At Calloway & Co., Second Chance Hiring is a foundational element of how we build our team. Our team members are independent contractors who work with me on a flexible, project-based basis, often with varying hours and responsibilities. We intentionally seek out candidates who have been impacted by the justice system and offer them meaningful opportunities to contribute, supported by structured onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing guidance.
This is not just a business strategy — it’s a personal and spiritual commitment for me. As a Catholic, I take seriously the call to witness to the incarcerated and to support those reentering society. One of my earlier roles was in-house at a reentry nonprofit, where I saw firsthand the obstacles justice-impacted individuals face and the transformative power of meaningful work.
That experience opened my eyes to how Second Chance Hiring not only benefits individuals but also enriches workplaces and communities. We recognized that traditional hiring practices often exclude talented, motivated people who simply need a fair chance —it’s about understanding the person, their story, and their potential.
Erin Calloway, CEO and Fundraising Counsel, Calloway & Co.
What are some of the benefits and success stories you’ve experienced with Second Chance Hiring and what are some of the challenges? How have you pivoted to overcome them?
We have encountered real challenges, particularly around widespread misconceptions in the business community about Second Chance Hiring, as well as significant societal stigma attached to individuals with justice system involvement. Many assume this hiring approach carries excessive risk or lowers standards, which simply isn’t true. Additionally, some second-chance employees may need extra support adjusting to the norms of a formal workplace.
As a seasoned business leader, I view it as a responsibility to lead by example —especially when it comes to Second Chance Hiring. Many people don’t fully understand that involvement with the justice system or having a record doesn’t always involve lengthy incarceration. Even misdemeanors —sometimes for minor offenses — can result in jail time, and in many cases, people are impacted by the justice system without ever being convicted or receiving a fair trial. There’s a common but misguided assumption that everyone who ends up in jail is guilty, and that simply isn’t always true.
I strive to create a workplace culture — among my contractors and collaborators — that is grounded in support, structure, and clear expectations. This not only helps our team members succeed, but also proves that Second Chance Hiring, when approached with care and discernment, strengthens teams and fully aligns with the highest ethical and professional standards. That conviction only deepened while I was completing my Juris Doctor, where I saw just how complex and, at times, unjust the legal system can be.
Erin Calloway (center); Aisha Merrit, Chief of Staff, Development Consultant, Calloway & Co. (right); with partner The PUSO Foundation (Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others).
How has joining SCHA and connecting with other second-chance employers helped you strengthen your workforce?
Joining the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) has been a real gift. It’s given me the chance to connect with other employers who truly understand the value — and the challenges — of hiring justice-impacted individuals. Being part of that community has helped me learn from others’ experiences, share ideas, and access practical resources that have strengthened how I approach this work. It’s been encouraging to know I’m not doing this in isolation, and those connections have helped me continue to grow a thoughtful, resilient, and diverse team.
Lillian’s Southern Box Catering
Why did you begin advocating for Second Chance Hiring practices? Was there a particular moment or experience that drove you to get involved?
Lillian’s Southern Box Catering was founded to serve more than just elevated, Southern-inspired comfort food — it was built to advance equity, dignity, and second chances. My previous experience as a public health practitioner led me to work across justice systems in Baltimore City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., supporting individuals impacted by incarceration. I completed discharge planning in New Jersey for returning citizens and continue to support D.C. residents transitioning from shelters, helping them secure housing stability and employment.
From working in prison-based drug treatment programs to coordinating hiring events with the Justice Department, I saw how often people are excluded from opportunity because of their past, not their potential. Through Second Chance Hiring, Lillian’s Southern Box Catering creates meaningful jobs — and hope. Our company blends culinary excellence with workforce development, sustainability, and social impact. With every meal served, we prove that food can do more than nourish — it can heal, restore, and open doors.
Kenya Jenkins, Founder & CEO, Lillian’s Southern Box Catering.
Tell us about your experience joining SCHA and how has it helped you on your Second Chance Hiring Journey?
Joining SCHA has been a transformative part of my journey, connecting me with resources and a network of businesses and organizations that are also dedicated to inclusive hiring and systemic change.
One of the most impactful connections came through the DoorDash Accelerator, where I met a fellow D.C.-based chef and returning citizen with a thriving catering business. We recently collaborated on a music festival, where I shared a catering opportunity to help highlight his brand. I gladly extend the same support to others.
These partnerships reflect what Second Chance Hiring is truly about — community, opportunity, and shared growth. It is not just business, it’s family.
As a local business leader, can you share examples of how you have personally used your voice to advance justice?
I continue to use my voice — and my business model — to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive society and workforce. This mission has opened doors to speak on meaningful platforms and support projects at home and abroad. I’m a proud member of RBIJ’s Workforce & Justice Alliance, where I connect with other justice-minded businesses and discover new advocacy opportunities. I share business resources, funding opportunities, and tools for growth on social platforms, targeting both early-stage entrepreneurs and returning citizens.
Locally, I had the honor of speaking on a panel at the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Second Chance Month Town Hall on the economic benefits of record expungement and support of passing Clean Slate Maryland. I was also invited to serve as a resource vendor with the University of Maryland Medical Center, and to partner with Home Rule Music Foundation’s Sunday Jazz Brunch, where our social impact and inclusive hiring practices align. This fall, I’ve been invited by Sharing Education UK to speak on justice reform and business development initiatives aimed at disrupting the prison pipeline for young adults in the UK and Ghana.
Interested in learning more about Second Chance Hiring, don’t hesitate to reach out — we’d love to connect. Get started on your hiring journey today with customized advice from RBIJ’s Inclusive Hiring team.