Share Your Story

After serving her sentence and remaining crime-free for more than 30 years, Kimberly Stutson continued to face barriers to employment because of her record. Today, she is sharing her story to help expand access to second chances and explain why Oklahoma's Clean Slate Act gives her hope for the future.

Bill Wallace founded Tomorrow's Promise Foundation in 2017 with the mission of empowering youth by providing access to programs that enhance life skills. After being tried as an adult and sentenced to prison as a juvenile, Bill transformed his life through determination and hard work. Today, he leads Tomorrow's Promise Foundation, shaping the next generation of community leaders.

Erica thought she knew the (justice) system she was working in… until she had to learn more about it from a true insiders’ perspective after both her parents were sentenced. Her story is an example of how records reach beyond the person who carries them, and what it means to love someone who lives with a record.

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By moving to a big city, Kenneth thought that he’d be able to find a well-paying, steady job and then move up from there. Instead, because of his record, he was faced with 40 interviews that resulted in 40 rejections. After finally landing a job, he still faced barriers to housing, getting life insurance, and more.

Naesha’s story touches on the stigma that surrounds people who have records. She talks about how the process of seeking record relief isn’t just financially burdensome and time-consuming — it’s also an emotional journey, which is one of the many reasons why automated record sealing is so important.

Destiny’s story showcases how important it is for people with records to find open doors instead of endless barriers. After overcoming addiction, homelessness, and a past filled with trauma, she still felt pulled down by the weight of her record — until she was presented with an opportunity for a job that changed the course of her life.