By Stanley Andrisse
I grew up in Ferguson, Mo., but Baltimore is where I built my second life. Years ago, I walked out of prison carrying a 10-year sentence on my back and very little hope for the future. Today, I walk into Howard University College of Medicine as a newly tenured professor.
To my knowledge, I am the first formerly incarcerated Black man in U.S. history to earn tenure at a medical school. That journey—from a prison cell to the halls of academic medicine—was not a straight path. It was made possible by faith, family, mentors and a community that refused to let my past dictate my future.
Baltimore has been at the heart of that transformation. It’s here that I founded From Prison Cells to PhD (P2P), an organization that helps justice-impacted people pursue higher education and leadership roles. It’s here that I’ve seen countless men and women prove that their worst mistake does not define their destiny.
Tenure is more than a personal milestone. It is a door opening. True equity means not only being admitted into classrooms but also into the rooms where decisions are made. When people directly impacted by incarceration have a seat at the table, institutions—and communities—become stronger, more just and more humane.
Baltimore has always been a city of resilience. My story is one thread in that larger tapestry of grit, faith and determination. I hope it reminds us all that redemption is real, and that the future of Baltimore depends on how fully we invest in second chances.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.