In The News

December 2022

Giving Day at Atelier Beauté CHANEL

The LOHM had the honor of hosting an exclusive #GivingTuesday event at Atelier Beauté CHANEL in NYC. The event was filled with beauty, sisterhood, and our EPIC vision to End Poverty and InCarceration of women and girls globally. Each guest had the opportunity to hear the stories of phenomenal women who have been impacted by incarceration while enjoying makeup touchups and a special fragrance journey.

Founder and CEO Dr. Topeka K. Sam was among the distinguished guests and shared her appreciation for Fondation Chanel's support. “Fondation Chanel has been an incredible partner of The Ladies of Hope Ministries since 2017,” said Dr. Sam. “ When you look for partners, supporters, and collaborators within your work you want to always make sure they have shared and aligned values and Fondation Chanel does exactly that."

The night continued with stories of inspiration and testimonies of the impact The LOHM has made. “I was blown away by the vision of The LOHM from the beginning,” said Halimah Washington. “I completed the first Faces of Women Imprisoned cohort where I learned that my story is a privilege to hear. I have also participated in The LOHM’s Doula Initiative and I am expanding my birth worker resume with the help of The Ladies of Hope Ministries.”

The attendees also had the pleasure to hear from women who are key leaders in our #RemissionNow campaign which is focused on ending lifelong restitution. Tonya Pierce, a clemency applicant, shared her experience with having a high restitution amount and the work being done through the #RemissionNow campaign.

This beautiful and extraordinary night concluded with a powerful prayer circle of women uplifting and empowering each other.

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The Athlete's Foot and Adidas S.E.E.D School Partner with The LOHM

The Athlete’s Foot (TAF) and Adidas School for Experiential Education in Design (S.E.E.D.) host the Soles of Hope event at the TAF location in New Orleans on November 20, 2022. The event benefited women of Hope House NOLA and their families.

Cherese Thornhill, Design Director of S.E.E.D at Adidas, led a sneaker customization workshop. “We are really looking to uplift women in the community and this is one of the events that is going to be kicking us off in that effort,” said Thornhill.

Each attendee had the opportunity to design their own pair of sneakers, allowing them to have a one-of-a-kind pair of Adidas. The event also shed light on footwear customization and the meaningful career opportunities that are available for women to become a part of the footwear design industry through the S.E.E.D program.

“Partnering with The Athlete’s Foot and Adidas S.E.E.D school is really a dream come true. Many people don't know this but when I was released from federal prison in 2016, I walked out in Adidas wedges,” said Dr. Topeka K. Sam. “This is truly a full circle moment of bringing things together and being able to provide these opportunities for my sisters and their children. I couldn’t have asked for anything else.”

“From The Athlete’s Foot we understand that your past does not determine your future and we are all so much more than who we appear to be on the outside. Know that you have the support of The Athlete's Foot family for sure."

Cassidy Dansberry, Marketing Coordinator for The Athlete’s Foot

Watch Event Recap

Global Women’s Summit: The Reality of Women Behind Bars

The LOHM Founder and CEO, Dr. Topeka K. Sam, recently joined Robin Guvhan, Senior Critic at Large for The Washington Post and Colette Peters, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Colette Peters to have a vital discussion around the state of incarcerated women for the Global Women’s Summit.

When asked what is driving the increase in the incarceration of women, Director Peters advised it was due to crimes that are fueled by alcohol and drug addiction. “Many women incarcerated suffer from mental health issues,” said Director Peters. “Self-medicating through drug and alcohol addictions is often the path that leads to criminality.”

“90% of the women incarcerated have also suffered from some type of early childhood trauma or sexual trauma or violence,” added Dr. Sam. “Because of that, they self-medicate with drugs and alcohol which leads to prison or jail.”

Dr. Sam and Director Peters also spoke on the topic of the First Step Act and how they have joined forces to ensure that it is being implemented.

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AFP Turkey Drive

The LOHM’s Angel Food Project (AFP) in partnership with Kota Alliance hosted a turkey giveaway on November 22, 2022. The drive provided 125 families with 20-pound turkeys. AFP furthered its impact by bringing 10 turkeys to families in a Brooklyn shelter. “Bringing the turkeys to the shelter was impactful. Many of the residents were women and their children,” said Annie Reynoso, AFP Program Manager. “It was all smiles when I arrived and truly filled my heart.”