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Our team has the subject matter, design, and technological expertise necessary to effectively and conscientiously bring technology to the reentry space.

Derrick Nkosi Cain, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, NY, graduated from Bard College and The New York Theological Seminary. He was the Director of Client Services at the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund for the past 5 years, working alongside advocates and elected officials for systems change. Derrick Nkosi is from the impacted community, having experienced incarceration, his lived experience and professional accomplishment has inspired his commitment to systems change. Derrick specializes in advocacy, criminal justice training and organizational development.

Mike Rowe joined Touchdown NYC in February 2022. He has a keen desire to assist justice impacted people and their families. Mike has worked for Cure Violence Global as a Training and Technical Assistance Consultant, and served briefly as the Men’s Empowerment Program Manager with the Center for Court Innovation (CCI) at the Harlem Community Justice Center. Previously, Mike worked at Common Justice as a Harmed-Party Case Coordinator before being promoted to HealingWorks Community Director. Before that Michael served as a Community Health Navigator at St. Luke’s Hospital’s Coming Home Program assisting people recently released from jail and prison to traverse the healthcare system. Michael began his social service career at Exodus Transitional Community under the tutelage and mentorship of Mr. Julio Medina, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Exodus Transitional Community. Michael provides technical support and training to organizations as well as designing and facilitating groups on topics including but not limited to trauma, healing, leadership, and healthy masculinity. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies from Bard College and a Master of Professional Studies from the New York Theological Seminary.

Julie Pedtke is a designer and researcher focused on social equity. She has partnered on participatory projects with public housing tenants, ran workshops with youth on Rikers Island, and led user research on inclusive urban development at Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs. She was a member of Brooklyn Eviction Defense, a grassroots network fighting housing insecurity during Covid-19, where she developed an emergency hotline for tenants and coordinated a network of volunteers. She now works as a Design Researcher at Coforma.

Jonathan Andujar served 13 years in prison. Coming home and getting his life back together was no easy task, but with support he managed to get on his feet. He now works in the medical field, so he is no stranger to helping others. His role now is to help others navigate their way out of confinement and to explore the new world - the unknown as he likes to call it.

Robert Morris was born in Harlem, New York. He earned a degree in Business from Arizona Western Junior College, and a degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. He has a passion for working with justice-involved youth and adults, helping them to make informed decisions in school, work, or whatever they desire to accomplish. He has worked in the juvenile justice system for the last 15 years as a mentor and advocate, as well as facilitating workshops to foster healthy relationships and homes.

Dexter Nurse is a native of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Dexter is currently the Afro-Caribbean Community Mobilizer at Repair the World. Prior to that Dexter worked as the Senior Client Services Associate at the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, and as the Post Release Coordinator at the New York Immigrant Freedom Fund where he served as a case worker and organizer for both social justice platforms. Dexter's role was to help formerly incarcerated individuals navigate the reentry process. Dexter is deeply engaged in criminal justice reform and has mentored for the Youth Assistance Program at the Department of Corrections where he served two decades. Dexter hold his BS in Behavioral Science from Mercy College and is currently a board member at Azeela Bloosom, Musicambia, Creative Times, and Carnegie Hall's Musical Connections Program. Dexter understands the hardship and frustration associated with reentry, which is why his passion lies in serving, advocating, and assisting formerly incarcerated folks through this painstaking process.

Marietta Iris Viera is a native New Yorker. Having been directly impacted by federal supervision and later navigating release from Rikers Island, she has worked in the community doing outreach and harm reduction, and also advocating for women in times of crisis dealing with agency interventions. She now aims to impart her experience to returning citizens to help them discover their destiny that is free from incarceration and reunites them with their family and the community, in a future that has no limitations. She also brings a platform of health and wellness that is essential as returning citizens.

Desire Brazell is a Certified CCA who works for the Center For Urban Community Services providing an array of supportive services to marginalized communities. Desire has worked on Rikers Island for the past 15 years where she provides support for individuals preparing to be released. Desire now works in the community providing governmental benefits and additional support for returning citizens and community members in need. She also started the Rashawn Brazell College Fund which provides college tuition to students in need. Desire has committed her life to providing agency and support to individuals in need, social justice, fairness, and inclusion for marginalized communities and returning citizens.

James [Afrika] Royall is Brooklyn born and bred. James has been involved with the Criminal Legal System (CLS) for Bi-cades, whether being exposed to crime generative factors that torrent the Inner Cities or directly imperiled by the 27-year lived experience. A proud graduate of Syracuse University, James has directed Transitional Services and Prisoners for Aids Counseling and Education. James is a “Journey Person” with the New York State Department of Labor for Counseling. James has also coordinated and developed numerous therapeutic and self-help programs and is very passionate and hands-on in the Reentry Community. He currently serves as Senior Reentry Advocate at Brooklyn Defender Services Reentry Unit.

Nawanna Snipe Tucker is a native New Yorker, a published author, and graduate of University of Phoenix, New York Theological Seminary, and Raising Our Voices Kin. She has worked with various agencies in the criminal justice area, utilizing her skills and knowledge in the forgotten communities. Nawanna is also a community leader with Releasing Aging People in Prison (RAPP).