Jonathan "Jabee" Williams

This project addresses the interconnected crises of incarceration, unemployment, and community violence in Oklahoma City by integrating workforce development with community violence intervention. With Oklahoma’s incarceration rate among the highest in the nation and thousands of unfilled skilled trade jobs, the initiative builds a trauma-informed, culturally rooted pipeline that trains and employs justice-impacted individuals in high-demand trades. By combining credible messenger engagement with paid apprenticeships, mental health supports, and employer partnerships, the model transforms credible messengers into credible earners. This dual approach aims to reduce recidivism, close labor gaps, and create lasting pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity across Oklahoma communities.