From the article: “At 19, Bilal Al-Raed has lived a life that defies the odds and inspires hope in others.

“Bilal’s a testament to the power of resilience and the capacity for transformation,” says Cole Williams, CEO and founder of the Delta Project. “His story is one of triumph over adversity. Having spent the majority of his teenage years incarcerated, Bilal intimately understands the challenges faced by youth in similar circumstances.

The Delta Project is a Grand Rapids nonprofit that helps youths in the juvenile justice system.

Al-Raed was honored with the At Potential Award at the Delta Project’s inaugural Gratitude Concert on May 15, which spotlighted the unsung heroes who are helping at-risk youth reach their potential.”

Hosts Cole and Joel talk with Devetta as she shares her transformative journey—a tale of resilience, community, and the power of support systems.

Cole and Joel dive deep into a passionate discussion about foster parenting, juvenile justice system, and the marginalization of people of color in parent-child dialogues.

Cole and Joel sit down with Stacy McGinnis, a retired superintendent of the juvenile Detention center in Grand Rapids with over 30 years of experience in the juvenile justice system.

Cole and Joel dive into the challenges faced by young fathers and how they are supported.

Learn more about the work that Cole is doing with Jason Smith and the Juvenile Justice Task Force.

Renée Cummings returns to Grand Rapids to re-engage with the community and begin mentoring students from NexTech HS

His Story Her Story Their Story Series

Chelsea Carter writes for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business about three Black-owned, West Michigan nonprofits that are creating pathways to opportunity for boys and young men of color through a new, collaborative initiative.

By Gabrielle Phifer

Counter-cultural in both content and format, each Conversations Video provides an intimate window into the potential of young men trapped in a cycle of incarceration.