In 2015, De’Vonte’ Parson was facing a life sentence behind bars. Raised in poverty, labeled a lost cause, and cycled through schools and detention centers, he was no stranger to the system. But what the system didn’t expect was that De’Vonte’ would fight back—not with violence, but with purpose.

Locked in a cell with limited hope, he fired his lawyer, studied the law, and beat the life sentence that was designed to bury him. During his six-year incarceration, he started mentoring other incarcerated young men, using honey buns and soups as currency to spark change. He challenged them to read, set goals, and prepare for a different kind of future—a future rooted in self-determination and second chances.

When De’Vonte’ walked out of prison, he didn’t leave the vision behind. He carried it with him and transformed it into Pro Se Potential—a justice-informed, youth-centered movement dedicated to mentorship, reentry, resource navigation, and life-changing support for youth and young adults who are navigating systems they didn’t create.

Since launching in 2021, Pro Se Potential has served over 250 youth through culturally relevant mentorship, healing-centered programming, and strategic partnerships. It has become a beacon for second chances—proving that transformation is not only possible, but powerful when community leads the way.

Pro Se means “on one’s own behalf.” That’s how we started. But today, we don’t stand alone. We stand with youth. We stand with systems that are ready to do better. And we stand with communities hungry for change.

Because when you unlock potential, you unlock possibility.