Today we’d like to introduce you to Hakee Mitchell.
Hi Hakee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I believe that my story began as a 9 year old boy who felt like my 5 year old baby sister was my responsibility to protect. I also had an older brother who was only 1 1/2 years older than I was and who was always it seemed in competition with me. One particular day while my mom was at work and we were home alone as usual. A pretty girl walked by our apartment building and me and my brother raced to be the first one to talk to her. Not realizing that we left our baby sister in the apartment alone with one of our neighbors son from across the hall. When I realized my mistake I rushed to get back to my sister and found the little boy on top of her humping on her. Of course they had clothes on, but the scene was enough for me to feel as though I had failed to protect her. Fast forward 12 years later my sister had a baby and her boyfriend was becoming more and more abusive. Finally after about three years of them having a violent relationship I finally had enough and without thinking I assaulted him. I was convicted of 1st degree assault with an ACA. I was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corruption. After serving my time I was released and two years later I started ACOPP to help children maintain a relationship with their incarcerated parent. I developed this passion from me not having a relationship with my own children who were 3 and 1 when I got locked up.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No it has not been a smooth road. After starting ACOPP I worked hard to grow my organization with little support from my family and childhood friends. I was blessed by a few strangers who guided me to obtain my 501 c3. After I received the tax exempt status I received push back from other organizations who didn’t want to touch the issue of incarceration. After a few years of grinding my gears I was led to do a fundraiser with Busch Stadium at the St. Louis Cardinal games. Instead of just fundraising on the weekend I turned it into a business and fundraised for all 82 home games. However even though I had finally secured a financial foundation. I still was presented with push back and minimal support. Still I persevered and acquired a 4 family building on the North side to start my community center. I also received push back from the neighborhood and received envy, jealousy and negativity from the guys in the hood. But still I stayed and prayed for peace and protection. Several years later through many trials and tribulations I transitioned into helping some of the guys in the neighborhood obtain employment. I started Second Chance Services LLC. and begin helping homeless individuals, those who had substance abuse issues and felons coming home from prison. My reward for all of my efforts was being robbed and shot in my knee right in front of my building as I was leaving for work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although my passion was helping children who had incarcerated parents and also helping individuals with a Second Chance at finding their purpose in life. I am proud of my accomplishments as a poet and author. I have been featured in several poetry books and have even written one myself. Its entitled, “To Be SEEN, but NOT TOUCHED” What sets me apart from most is my drive to help fallen humanity strive to be better than what society has deemed them as.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about our city is the tenacity and individual drive of most people here to be the best that they can be. What I like the least is that most people want to obtain greatness at the expense of others. We lack Unity and Compassion for one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.acopp4change.org and www.secondchancestaff.com
