Uncornered Photo Documentary Project Photo Guide

Political Leaders:

Mayor Marty WalshI am not defined by my alcoholism, but by my recovery. It gave me a second chance to rebuild my life. My recovery and the support I received along the way UNCORNERED me and gave me the opportunity to live out my dream of being Mayor of the greatest city in America.

Congresswoman Ayanna PressleyTrauma is a barrier to learning - to individuals reaching their full potential. As a trauma victim myself, I ran for office partly because I wanted to save other victims of trauma – victims that didn’t even know they needed saving. It was through creating space for their voices that I became UNCORNERED. “

Law Enforcement Leaders:

William Gross, Boston Police Commissioner I was a newly minted cadet in the neighborhood I called home; the black kid in a white force and a cop in a neighborhood distrusting of the police. Stuck between two worlds, I could have given up, but I heard my grandmother’s words. “Know your history son, people of color paved the way for us.” And with this, I could do the same for others. So I put on the blue and headed out into my black neighborhood, UNCORNERED.

Steven Tompkins, Sherriff, Suffolk County Growing up my mom struggled with alcohol. One day I came home to find some local alcoholics partying at her expense. I decided in that moment to do something. We were able to get my mom sober and my sister in a safe place. Through that action I became UNCORNERED.

Boston Uncornered Students:

Brittany Baldwin, Boston Uncornered Student After months of neglecting my health and abusing drugs and alcohol I caught pneumonia and fell into a coma. Within six months of coming out, I lost two of the most important people in my life, my boyfriend and my mother. Losing them was my Uncornered moment. When you lose everything you love, you have to find something to fight for. So I fight for my children who keep me grounded.

Paul Burns, Boston Uncornered StudentI spent five years in prison. Every day I pictured what it would be like to go home and who would be standing on the other side of those doors. The day I was released, the gang wasn’t waiting - only my brothers. That reality check UNCORNERED me.

Alex Diaz, Boston Uncornered Student I didn’t care if I lived or died. I went to prison and missed the birth of my first-born daughter. When I got, out, I promised to never miss another day of her life. My daughter saved me from myself, my daughter UNCORNERED me.

Kismauri Pena, Boston Uncornered Student One night this guy took me out to dinner…just dinner. He didn’t want anything in return – I didn’t have to give a piece of myself away. That small gesture showed me that I deserved more and I could be more. That moment UNCORNERED me.

Raul Morales, Boston Uncornered StudentMy mother gave up her parental rights when I was young. After being shot at multiple times I met a street worker who introduced me to my advisor Will. He cares about me in a way that I never had before. He UNCORNERED me, and for that I’m grateful

l.Quaknesha Garvin Johnson, Boston Uncornered student I grew up seeing my family members and friends being incarcerated and not understanding why. By my second arrest I was facing 20 years and had almost given up, until I heard the quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” That began my UNCORNERED journey.

Boston Uncornered College Readiness Advisors:

Elias Pereira, College Readiness Advisor (CRA) On my second bid, years after my first, I saw the same dudes, still locked up doing the same things as when I was just a youngin’. That’s when I realized couldn’t be a lifer with nothing to look forward to. I wanted my own life and became UNCORNERED.

Luis Rodrigues, College Readiness Advisor (CRA) Lying in the hospital after being shot 10 times and hearing my mother’s cries, I finally understood the impact of my decision on others, and in that moment I chose a different life and became UNCORNERED.

Francisco Depina, College Readiness Advisor (CRA) Growing up I was known as the bad kid. One day a neighbor caught me about to commit a crime. I ran. Later he sat me down and talked to me about the person I could be. He saw something in me, and he helped me see it too. He UNCORNERED me.

Will Dunn, College Readiness Advisor (CRA) Sitting in court hearing the words “over and after” and knowing that at 17 I was looking at 40 years in prison, I realized nothing is worth giving up your whole life for. At that moment my mind was made up to change, to Be UNCORNERED.

College Bound Dorchester Leaders and Staff:

Mark Culliton, Founder and CEO, College Bound Dorchester I was living in San Francisco, lost and had forgotten who I was. My father got very sick and I came back to be with him. In those last months together he reminded me of who I was and all that was possible. His path to dying UNCORNERED me.

Michelle Caldeira – College Bound Dorchester Senior Vice President As an immigrant from Guyana, we moved a lot – five times before I was 12. My family of seven lived in a one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. Though poor, my parents support meant I never felt poor. I am UNCORNERED thanks to them and their sacrifices.

Conan Harris, College Bound Dorchester Senior Vice PresidentDespite playing sports and having a loving family, at a very young age I found myself incarcerated physically and mentally. One day I fought another inmate and was sent to the hole. When I eventually called home and heard the disappointment I felt ashamed. I have been UNCORNERED by the fear of ever hearing that disappointment in my mother's voice again.

Lealah Fulton, College Bound Dorchester Staff As a victim of gun violence I know how it feels to spend years being angry at your assailant and not understanding how or why this happened to you. The opportunity to be close to those who both perpetrated and are victims of this violence deepened my understanding. So as I sat in a courtroom with the men who had shot me and let go of that anger; that act of forgiving was my UNCORNERING. (This is too good to shorten.)

Business Leaders:

Miceal Chamberlain, MA President of Bank of America My family had to deal with tragedy when my brother and I were involved in a devastating house fire as children. I was rescued, but my brother was not. The memory of my brother and the loving support I received from family and friends inspired me to live life to the fullest, and UNCORNERED me.

Linda Dorcena Forry, VP Diversity and Inclusion & Community Relations, Suffolk Construction Despite being a straight A student, I was unprepared for college and lost in class, feeling stupid and not worthy. Then I had the courage to talk to my professor who helped me remember my strength and ability. His intervention UNCORNERED me.

Jim Rooney, President and CEO, Boston Chamber of Commerce The Southie I grew up in, you were defined by your corner or bar. Thankfully my Mom and Dad offered alternative paths for me and I was able to define myself and be UNCORNERED .

Karen Kaplan, Chairman and CEO, Hill Holliday When I entered the workforce, men often started two or three levels above women with the same experience and education, so I was grateful to start as the receptionist. I became UNCORNERED when I made myself “CEO of reception.” Fast forward 35 years, and now I’m CEO of the agency.

Paul Francisco, Chief Diversity Officer, State Street Corporation Moving from Honduras at 17, I was unfamiliar with the language and a neighborhood with gang activity. Fortunately, I was surrounded by mentors, extended family, teachers and coaches. They embraced me and wrapped me in love. I am Uncornered because they expected more of me. They helped me go from the corner of Magnolia Street, to Boston University, to the NFL, and to State Street.

Media and Sports:

Andrea Kramer, NFL Hall of Fame Broadcaster Several years into my career I was told I wouldn’t be hired to host a show because I was a woman. The rejection was demoralizing. I channeled my frustration into hard work, so I could overcome the obstacles and achieve more. The experience UNCORNERED me and I went on to greater accomplishments than I ever thought possible, including my induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Callie Crossley, WGBH Host When I graduated from Wellesley no one would hire me. I was scared. But my Father’s tough love gave me the courage to buck tradition and go straight to the station manager at my local TV station. I got the job. The support of good people UNCORNERED me.

Claude Dielna, Defender, Portland Timbers Growing up in Paris there was the easy way and the hard way. The easy way was to hang out on the streets and get in trouble. The hard way was to fight for what you wanted. I chose the hard way and achieved my dream to play professional soccer. That UNCORNERED me.