As a 2024–2025 John Gardner Public Service Fellow, I had the opportunity to work at the Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley, where I contributed to the Abundance Project—an ambitious research initiative focused on equity in public investment across California. For someone like me, a formerly incarcerated student turned policy advocate, this year was about more than research. It was about building bridges between personal experience and public systems that too often overlook people like me.
The Possibility Lab is committed to partnering with governments and communities to reimagine how policies can be designed with equity at their core. Through the Abundance Project, our team explored how local and state-level policies can better support marginalized communities—especially when it comes to housing, infrastructure, and economic mobility.
My role focused on analyzing housing-related legislation and equity frameworks in environmental and infrastructure development. I entered this fellowship as someone who had once been excluded from many of the institutions I now work within. During my time in prison, I never imagined I’d one day help shape policy conversations at the highest levels. This fellowship affirmed that people with lived experience not only deserve a seat at the table—they bring insights that can lead to more just and effective policies.
Having Dr. Amy Lerman as my mentor was another highlight of the year. Her guidance helped me grow as a researcher, writer, and policy thinker. More importantly, she encouraged me to stay rooted in the communities I care about while navigating academic and policy spaces.
This fall, I’ll begin a Master of Public Policy at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School. My long-term goal is to develop reentry housing models and advocate for policies that ensure formerly incarcerated students can succeed in higher education. The Gardner Fellowship gave me the clarity, tools, and support to pursue this vision.
To future fellows: This fellowship is a chance to not only explore a career in public service but to reshape what public service can look like. Don’t be afraid to bring your full story into your work. That’s where the impact starts.