INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Education and Workforce
FROM HARD TIME TO BIG TIME
I
t was a lifetime of shortcuts taken that ultimately landed Kevin Rainey in prison
PEP is based on the idea that prison inmates
— former gang leaders, drug dealers and
as a convicted felon. Now the owner of
even those with violent offenses — have
a successful and growing transpor-
untapped, yet misdirected, potential. Their
tation business, Uptown Transportation,
entrepreneurship skills were learned the
Rainey likens his former approach to life
hard way and were built on sheer hustle.
to making bad decisions in traffic.
By directing this potential toward positive,
self-sustaining initiatives in ethical busi-
“Always looking for the shortcut became
ness practices, former offenders can find
my way of life,” he remembers. “I have
themselves working hard toward a much
owned my own transportation company
better life for themselves and their families.
it’s traffic or business, shortcuts don’t get
you ahead. Just like when you’re driving
and trying to get around faster and you
end up thinking, ‘I should have just stayed
on the course and stayed on the path!’
That was my life before this program.”
Self-realization like this is one
of the most important aspects
of a program that is taking
prisoners and helping them give
themselves a second chance at a
successful life.
The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) is a
non-profit organization launched in 2004 that empowers inmates to strive for total life transformation
through an education process led by top business
and academic talent. This innovative program connects the nation’s top executives, entrepreneurs and
MBA