STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

BEST APPROVED PICTURE 2
BEST APPROVED PICTURE 4
BEST APPROVED PICTURE 3

BEST has 17 men and 54 women who have been released. At this point, only five men and seven women have been reincarcerated. BEST grads are at a 83% success rate!! This is far below the average recidivism rates in Tennessee, saving taxpayer dollars, creating tax payers, and restoring families in our communities.

Carl K. (Cohort 1) - Living in Knoxville area and has been given a time slot to be DJ D.O.C (Dependent On Christ) on Jammin' 99.7 (WJBE). Listen on Sundays (starting February 3, 2019) at 1:00 pm ET to some awesome Christian Hip Hop music. Check out WJBE to stream his show. Listen to his first broadcast here: https://youtu.be/MlnkgomryQ4

Tiffany F. (Cohort 4) - Released mid-May '18, has started her business, Totally Polished Cleaning, and has regained custody of her son. Word has it that she's now employing 3 helpers to fulfill her customers' demand! She visited Cohort 5 and 6 to share her story.

Terry "TY" (Cohort 1) - Lives in Florida, enjoying working as a barber, giving back in the community as he can. He hopes to open his own shop and school.

Ashlee S. (Cohort 2) - She appeared at a session about BEST at the National Prison Summit on 10/26/18. Check out her video by clicking here. She's working as a Restorative Justice Case Coordinator with Raphah Institute helping juveniles build better futures for themselves. She spoke to Cohort 5 about her experiences postrelease.

John "Wes" M. (Cohort 1) - Released and living back home in Chattanooga.

Darrian E. (Cohort 1) - Released and back in Memphis; working on cars again.

Karin D. (Cohort 3) - Released! She's back with family and working at Puckett's - Leiper's Fork; has started Scrubs, her cleaning business!

Tammy "Tamikyo" F. (Cohort 3) - Has been pursuing her business plan and auditioned for The Voice; back in Memphis.

Kristina G. (Cohort 4) - Has been released and is back in Knoxville! She's excited for football season to resume. She is starting up her social media consulting business, Kreative Dreams Marketing. Married!

Tisha W. (Cohort 3) - Has finished her transitional living time and is back with family.

Michelle S. (Cohort 2) - Has moved to Lebanon area and is married as of 1/26/19. Is starting online business.

Timothy "Doc" O. (Cohort 1) - Is the proud father of TWINS!!

Treacy L. (Cohort 2) - Released in August 2018, is living in Connecticut.

Tracy B. (Cohort 1) - Married in June 2018, is working 2 jobs and starting up his Queen Bee Cleaning business and working in the family K & T Catering business. He visited Cohort 5 with his bride to share his experiences postrelease. K & T Catering provided the food for the BEST Cohort 5 Graduation at TPFW. Amazing!

Kay N. (Cohort 4) - Living in Knoxville area, working fulltime and launching her business Angelic Bowtique online.

Kelly H. (Cohort 2) - Continues to work steadily, gaining the credentials to start her business "The Nail Joint" and gathering more information  to prepare to start up the salon. Doing nails.

Anthony D. (Cohort 1) - Working fulltime for Reladyne and enjoying the living in a nearby apartment after spending over a year with a 1 hour 45 minute commute to and from work...DAILY...by bike and bus.

Selena D. (Cohort 3) - Enjoying grandbaby.

Mary B. (Cohort 3) - Released! Hope to hear more from her soon.

Nicole M. (Cohort 4) - Released! Working hard to get settled back in the Nashville area. 

Lori M. (Cohort 4) - Released and enjoying being near grandkids again; in AL.

Ginger O. (Cohort 3) - Released and enjoying seeing her kids again.

Renee M. (Cohort 3) - Is off paper! Awesome!

Tiffany T. (Cohort 3)  - Released! Expecting a bundle of joy.

April McF. (Cohort 3) - Released!

Jasmine L (Cohort 3) - Released!

Karissa D. (Cohort 4) - Released! Enjoying her boys!

Cindy R. (Cohort 4) - Released! Doing hair again!

Beth M. (Cohort 4) - Released!

Gwen S. (Cohort 4) - Released!

David E. (Cohort 1) - Released!

Jessica L. (Cohort 4) - Released!

Von K. (Cohort 1) - celebrated 5 years of freedom on 7/11/20!!

Kelly J. (Cohort 5) - Released! Preparing to start business!

Sheila L. (Cohort 5)  - Released! Working on starting business!

April G. (Cohort 5) - Released!

Angela R. (Cohort 2) - Released!

Candace B. (Cohort 3) - Released! 

Christina H. (Cohort 3) - Released!

Christine T. (Cohort 2) - Released! Has baby daughter!

Christopher C. (Cohort 1) - Released!

Douglas W. (Cohort 1) - Released!

Earice R. (Cohort 1) - Released!

Haley L. (Cohort 3) - Released! Back in East TN.

Karen W. (Cohort 2) - Released!

Katie A. (Cohort 2) - Released!

Khalid A. (Cohort 1) - Released!

Madalynn C. (Cohort 3) - Released!

Mary G. (Cohort 5) - Released! Back with family.

Rose S. (Cohort 2) - Released! Back with family,

Sandra M. (Cohort 3) - Released!  Married 2019.

Chris T. (Cohort 1) - Released! Back in TN.

Susan S. (Cohort 3) - Released!  Married 2020.

Tammy C. (Cohort 3) - Released!

Tonya S. (Cohort 2) - Released!

Brandi C. (Cohort 6) - Released! Running a shop in Murfreesboro.

LeeAnn S. (Cohort 6) - Released! Back in East TN.

Kendra A. (Cohort 6) - Released! Back in Cookeville area.

Roneisha N. (Cohort 5) - Released! In Middle TN.

Michelle B. (Cohort 5) - Released!  In Middle TN.

Khamnoi V. (Cohort 5) - Released! Back in Chattanooga.

Kristal M. (Cohort 6) - Released! In Chattanooga.

Belinda G. (Cohort 5) - Released! Near Clinton.

Jennifer F. (Cohort 2) - Released! Back in Chattanooga.