FunTimes Magazine

Prison walls contain the body, not the mind, and Darrell Alston can confirm that. While growing up Alston definitely had a business sense; he started selling drugs as a teenager. Eventually, the law caught up with him and he ended up doing time in Graterford Prison. While in prison, Alston said his Mom told him if he wanted to be successful he had to start his own business. He said inside the prison gym one day he noticed a mural of boxer, Bernard Hopkins.

George James is the Program Director of the Master’s in Couples and Family Therapy Program offered in conjunction with Thomas Jefferson University. James specializes in helping couples improve the quality of their relationship, reconcile conflicts and overcome intense situations such as affairs, lack of communication, parenting struggles and much more. He also works extensively with professional athletes, adult and young adult men on various issues including defining manhood, career and work-life balance.

Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award- winning journalist who has been featured nationally on NPR’s Morning Edition, CNN Headline News and Essence Magazine. Jones is currently an award-winning columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and morning host for Praise 107.9 radio in Philadelphia. In addition, he is a blogger and frequent on-air commentator for NPR-affiliate WHYY.

Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, is co-founder and President of the Black Men at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, Inc., at their School of Social Policy and Practice, and is professor of race relations at West Chester University. He is also the Director of Recovery at the Red Cross House for the American Red Cross Eastern PA Region. Lassiter has been a member of the board of trustees for the Community College of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Prison System and has served on the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males.

Dr. Kenneth Scott leads a social enterprise that is working to redevelop North Central Philadelphia. He serves as president/CEO of The Beech Companies, which is regarded as a leader in community economic development.