Importance of investing - Whether building community, creating mechanisms for survival, or innovating collective Afro culture, the heartbeat and rhythm of Blackness will be found. While my commitment to investing is important; I am also invested in reframing our economic power and experiences because they are directly impacted by discrimination, sexism, marginalization, and poverty. Building wealth and having financial literacy will reduce some of the harms we as Black people experience and will ultimately counter how the conditions of poverty erase our families and bloodlines. 

 Hi everyone!! I am one of the three founders of Team Freedom IL, and now a member of Melanin Money Trees. I was born and raised on Chicago’s southside. I am the eldest of three siblings, brothers who I love dearly. I have been here since 2005 due to being held accountable for two co-defendants. I’ve moved to four institutions in these 16 years, taking my experiences and knowledge to grow mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. 

 I'm a Chicago native, mother, and activist and currently in the Northwestern Prison Education Program, and an advocate for restorative justice with Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Moran Center's restorative justice team. I am currently a student enrolled in Blackstone Career Institute's paralegal program and is a certified dog groomer. She holds a culinary degree from Lake Land Community College and works as a co-director for the Look At Me production with the Women's Justice Institution. 

 My name is Elbonie Burnside. I am 38 years old currently serving a sentence of 35 years. Although I did some things to get where I am, I have done many things and continue to do great things to get to where I want to be. I was born in Chicago, Illinois and have a dream of making The New York Times Best sellers list. I would like to write for tv pilots and turn the books I have written into tv series or movie productions after release. My vision with #TeamFreedomIL grew over the years. 

As a black woman experiencing incarceration for over 18 years, I have witnessed families struggling to pay lawyers and/or take care of family members. Investing is a way to create financial security and build wealth therefore creating an avenue for me to help others. I am an activist & advocate for women's rights. Currently enrolled in the International Christian College Seminar Theology Degree Program. I am a poet and writer who has directed the online production Look At Me raising awareness about Domestic Violence sponsored by the Women's Justice Institute.