.jpg)
By Aliyah Tyson
Talking to Talasha, one of the first things she shares is how proud she is of her children. She glows when talking about her daughter, a high school student who earns straight A’s and performs as a majorette in the school band, as well as her 17-year-old son, who is actively pursuing his own goals and finding his path forward. Today, she is focused on rebuilding a stable foundation for her family and setting her sights on a future in corporate leadership.
Growing up on the north side of Flint, Michigan, Talasha always had an innate drive to lead. As a young girl, she was naturally drawn to constructing ideas, and taking charge of neighborhood childhood games, directing the rules and stepping up as captain.
“I had dreams of being in business,” she remembers. “When I was a little girl, I used to put things together and run my own show. I always knew my leadership ability would lead me to run either my own business or a company.”
However, life brought unexpected detours. Entering federal prison was an eye-opening moment, marking her very first experience with the correctional system. While incarcerated, she realized how quickly the outside world continues moving while everything inside stands still. Rather than letting that time consume her, she used the isolation to reflect, read, and develop the coping and emotional skills she wished she had learned earlier in life.
When she finally returned home, she encountered a reality that many justice-impacted people face: a severe lack of realistic reentry support.
“To be truthful, coming home wasn't easy,” Talasha shares. “The transition was tough. I don't feel like we have many realistic reentry programs these days—it's like using a metal detector on the beach to find what you need. You really have to dig.”
For formerly incarcerated mothers, reentry comes with a unique double challenge. Beyond finding work and housing, there is the delicate work of repairing family bonds while taking on full responsibility for their children. Children keep living and growing while a parent is away, and rebuilding that connection requires patience, humility, and fight.
She knew that to protect her family and keep her children on the right path, standing still was not an option. Determined to rebuild her life on a solid foundation, Talasha connected with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Michigan. For her, the organization served as a vital bridge during a difficult transition, offering the structure and jump-start she needed to navigate society again. Through her own drive and the support surrounding her, Talasha secured employment at Bridgewater Interiors. Now approaching a full year with the company, she thrives in an environment that offers real stability and room for growth.
But securing a good job was only the beginning of her ambition. The true turning point came when she decided to go back to school, enrolling in online courses for business management and human resources.
When asked what inspired her to return to school as an adult, her answer came without hesitation.
“My kids,” Talasha says. “I had to do something with my life so they could see it. Kids emulate what they see. If they don't see you trying or breaking the pattern to do something different, what are they going to do?”
Stepping into modern digital coursework after years away from school was intimidating, but studying alongside her teenagers transformed the energy in her home. Education became a shared family experience. Her children cheer her on, offering lighthearted encouragement and technical support whenever she spends hours navigating her laptop.
“Whenever I get stuck navigating the software or formatting assignments on the computer,” she laughs, “they'll jump right in and say, 'Here, let us show you how to do it so you can finish up and we can leave the house!' My kids are so dedicated to studying and helping me bridge that tech gap, they are so smart and intelligent.”
That commitment to growth extends beyond academics. Intentional about breaking intergenerational cycles, Talasha prioritized mental health, taking the critical step to enroll both herself and her children into therapy to process past trauma and build healthy communication.
“We spend a lot of time keeping things to ourselves and just pushing forward,” she shares. “Breaking that cycle starts from the top down. You have to uncover the root of the problem and work through it.”
Today, as a CEO participant working full-time and earning her credentials, Talasha is actively constructing the future she envisioned as a little girl in Flint. Her advice to other justice-impacted parents who are hesitant to pursue education or make a change is simple and direct.
“Just do it,” Talasha says. “Try it. Your biggest barrier is yourself. It's all about what you put into it. You should want to build something better, you've already come up from the bottom.”
Stay connected—sign up for our newsletter to learn how CEO supports justice-impacted individuals through career building, advocacy, and policy change. Check out more stories on our blog or donate to support economic mobility.
