We were honored to host Michael “Knot” Palmer at our latest speaker series. His powerful story sheds light on the transformative power of education and personal growth within the criminal justice system.

Michael, a British Jamaican from the Boogie Down Bronx, was the first to received two life-plus-20-years under harsh crack cocaine laws. Despite this unjust sentence, Michael’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and transformation.

While incarcerated, Michael became a paralegal out of necessity and pursued education, enrolling at Newport Business Institute with a major in Business Organization. He’s now just 18 credits away from an Associate’s Degree. But Michael’s growth didn’t stop there – he also became a cook, physical trainer, mentor, life coach, and public speaker. After 34 years inside, he was freed by The First Step Act.

Perhaps Michael’s most profound transformation came through finding his spiritual self, which he credits with enabling him to become a better person and recognize his greatest asset: the ability to give himself to others.

This spiritual awakening led him to apply for the Justice-in-Education (JIE) program at Columbia University, seeking further educational opportunities.

Today, Michael is the CEO of Valor Venture, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mentorship, guidance, empowerment, and support to veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals. His ultimate goal is to be a conduit for these often-overlooked communities, helping them navigate the numerous adversities they face while rebuilding their lives.