Inmates to Entrepreneurs Launches National, Virtual Course Open to Anyone with a Criminal Record

Raleigh, NC, July 24, 2020Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a national nonprofit that teaches people with criminal records how to start and grow their own businesses, announced today its first live, virtual 8-week entrepreneurship course available to participants nationwide. The course starts on August 4.

The live course, sponsored in part by Morgan Stanley, is free of charge and open to anyone with a criminal background who is interested in entrepreneurship.

“The nationwide teaching of the Inmates to Entrepreneurs course has been long in the making and through the success of our existing programs, we are more than optimistic that we can reach many future business owners and leaders,” said Lawrence Carpenter, chairman of Inmates to Entrepreneurs. “It is key that society provides a way for the formerly incarcerated to have an opportunity for change and to become productive citizens. What better way than through controlling their own destiny through entrepreneurship,” he added.

In the past three years, the organization taught entrepreneurship to more than 4,500 individuals in correctional facilities and through its online courses. With a course graduation rate of 77 percent, graduates have started businesses that include landscaping, event planning, catering, cleaning services, and more.

Inmates to Entrepreneurs is the longest-running program of its kind. It was founded in 1992 by entrepreneur Brian Hamilton in an effort to reduce the rate of recidivism in the United States by providing a path to financial stability and success.

“We are thrilled to provide the virtual course across the country,” said Charlie Bradley, CEO of the Brian Hamilton Foundation. “Business ownership is one of the most reliable ways that people have been able to work themselves up in society. Our goal is to bring the opportunities of entrepreneurship to more people through practical, simple, and clear instruction. It’s needed now more than ever,” Bradley continued.

The live, virtual course will meet Tuesday nights starting on August 4 from 6 to 7:30 pm ET for eight weeks. To register, visit https://inmatestoentrepreneurs.org/program/national2020/.

About Inmates to Entrepreneurs

Inmates to Entrepreneurs assists people with criminal backgrounds in starting their own businesses. Our goal is to reduce the rate of recidivism in the United States by providing an alternative path to financial stability and success. Founded in 1992, it is the longest-running program of its kind. To learn more, visit inmatestoentrepreneurs.org.

Media Contact

Jackie Drumm
jackieD@brianhamilton.org
(551) 206-2353

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