Miea joined the North Carolina Justice Center in September 2016 as the Second Chance Alliance Engagement Coordinator. She brings a wealth of knowledge regarding mass incarceration and the roadblocks returning citizens face as they are released from prison. Her passion
as a social justice advocate is to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by the criminal justice system by increasing awareness and challenging the status quo. Miea serves on the steering committee of the Capital Area Reentry Council. She is a board member for the School of Conversion, an organization who works for beloved communities that unlearn habits of social division and is the Chair of the Christian Community Development Association mass incarceration task force. Miea received her undergraduate degree from Shaw
University and a Master’s in Social Work from North Carolina State University.
Chuck Galli’s qualifications will be presented as a narrative. He got off hard drugs of his own volition after thirteen years of living antisocially and illegally by his wits. He says he was fortunate to have been arrested during that time only once and for a petty crime of little consequence (Denver Colorado, 1961), however he did spend 79 days in Denver County Prison.
Andre’s mission is to help children develop healthy strong relationships that allows them to reach their full potential. To ensure that every young person has the supportive relations they need to grow and develop into thriving, productive & engaged adults. He shares his story about growing up in Raleigh without a father figure an his time in prison.
Demetris Burke was born in New York, New York but was raised by his mother and grandmother in Bertie County. Labeled by the justice system as a habitual felon by the age of 20, he was convicted of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell and deliver and received probation. Mr. Burke continued to participate in the drug gang and was eventually arrested for trafficking crack cocaine. And was sentenced to four years in the NC Department of Corrections.
On August 15, 1996, Daryl Atkinson began serving a prison term with the Alabama Department of Corrections for drug trafficking. Prior to that time, he lived a completely selfish life. He did exactly what I wanted to do, when he wanted to do it, and who he wanted to do it with. In hindsight, he thought his selfish behavior would bring him the happiness and peace that he so deeply desired but it only brought him misery and pain. He indulged in drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviors to try and fill a void that he felt deep within. Nothing worked, no matter what he tried and believe me he tried a lot, he always ended up completely spiritually, mentally, and physically bankrupt.
