Three categories of heroes — those who endure, those who made it, and those who showed up. Together they are the content engine that makes the mission visible, human, and impossible to ignore.
Individuals currently incarcerated doing extraordinary things despite their circumstances — earning degrees, mentoring younger inmates, leading Bible studies, maintaining dignity. Their stories exist in every facility in America.
Strategic Purpose
These stories destroy the stereotype before the ask is ever made. A person who believes incarcerated individuals are irredeemable will not give $25/month. A person who has read about a grandfather inside a maximum-security facility who has mentored 40 younger inmates — that person's heart is open.
Formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully navigated reentry and are now employed, housed, contributing, and thriving. The 25+ documented Broken Champions success stories made specific and public.
The Testimonial Arc
Every story follows the same arc: who I was when I walked out → what I walked into → who showed up → where I am now. Each video ends the same way: "I walked out alone. Now I'm building. Find your Dream Team at MeetMeHalfway.com."
Supporters — wealthy, influential, and platform-rich individuals who publicly associate with the UMattery mission. Their inclusion is not primarily financial. It is amplification.
The Core Ask
"We don't want your money. We want 60 seconds of your voice asking your people to become Dream Team members. If 0.1% of your audience responds, you just gave 2,000 people a reason to show up at a prison gate."
These individuals have documented public connections to prison reform, reentry advocacy, Christian faith, or Second Chance employment.
| Athletes | Warrick Dunn (homeownership charity), Ray Lewis (faith-based platform), Jim Brown (lifelong prison reform advocate) |
| Music | Chance the Rapper (faith-based, Second Chance commitments), Lecrae (Christian hip hop, prison ministry), Kirk Franklin (gospel, justice, massive church network) |
| Actors | Dwayne Johnson (Second Chance employer), Common (prison reform advocate, Oscar winner), T.I. (advocates publicly for formerly incarcerated) |
| Pastors | TD Jakes (Dallas, prison ministry history), Andy Stanley (North Point Atlanta, business communities), Tim Keller legacy network |
| Faith Influencers | Jefferson Bethke (4M+ YouTube subscribers), Propaganda (Christian hip hop, prison ministry), Jackie Hill Perry (spoken word, justice voice) |
Are You a Hero?
Whether you're inside, outside, or ready to show up — your story matters. Contact us to share your journey or join the campaign.
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