Introduction
These personas were collectively developed by local justice policy, advocacy, and community leaders and District government agency representatives during Understanding Lived Experience of DC‘s Justice-Impacted Emerging Adults, hosted by the Justice Policy Institute and Thrive Under 25 coalition.
At this event, participants learned more about DC’s justice-impacted emerging adults through interview data and worked together to create a persona – an individualized representation of one segment of DC’s justice-impacted emerging adults based on what they had learned. Personas were validated for accuracy with the Young Men Emerging unit at the DC jail.
We would like to introduce you to the following personas:
Brandon
Young father, wants to finish school
Donté Benjamin
Wants a good job and to survive
Hope
Young mother, wants stability
Calvin
Wants to go to college and stay alive
Delonte
Aspiring entrepreneur and homeownerThe goal of these personas is to better anchor our collective understanding of these young people.
Download full personasLearn More
Each persona was developed in alignment with the developmental framework from the Emerging Adult Justice Project at Columbia University’s Justice Lab.
Level 1: Transforming our Understanding of Emerging Adults
Safety
Physical safety in programs and community
Sense of mental well-being and safety
Belonging
Connection to people and community
Feeling of being valued and part of community
Identity & Values
Connection to own culture and identity
Sense of personal goals and values
Competency
Sense of developing strengths and skills
Ability and belief in ability to reach goals; knowledge of skills & strengths
Contribution
Sense that have something to offer
Belief that can change things for the better
The following chart is designed to provide additional information to complement what is found on each of the persona cards and further complete the picture of these young peoples experiences.
The Data Behind the Personas
In 2023, the Justice Policy Institute and partners conducted interviews of justice-impacted emerging adults in residence at the DC jail, the Young Men Emerging unit of Central Treatment Facility (CTF), the Youth Services Center, and those in the community who had been formerly incarcerated. See participant list.
Interviews focused on current life situation, identity and values, competency, contribution, safety, and belonging. See sample quotes. These quotes were used to inform the development of the personas at the Understanding the Lived Experience, DC Justice-Impacted Emerging Adults event held in February 2023.
Draft personas were shared with the Young Men Emerging Unit at CTF as a validation check. These young people affirmed the content and repeatedly noted, “This is exactly my story except for one or two details.” Responses from the Young Men Emerging mentees were used as quotes in the “Looking Closer” section of the personas.
Acknowledgements
Our deep gratitude and appreciation to all those who helped bring this project to fruition, especially:
- StrategyForward Advisors, who envisioned and prepared these personas, specifically, Dr. Julie Johnson, Raymond Rodriguez, Andy Sherman of Can of Creative on design, and Colleen Pawlicki of Troy Street Services on editing.
- Education Design Lab, who facilitated persona development activities at the Understanding Lived Experience event.
- Ovid Gabriel, of copewithart LLC, whose artistic vision created the faces of each persona.
Lastly, special thanks to our partners, the Thrive Under 25 Coalition and Free Minds Book Club, who contributed to this project from concept to data collection to final product.
Additional Facilitation Questions
Safety
What do Brandon, Donté Benjamin, Hope, Calvin, and Delonte think will make them safe? How to help them achieve this?
Contribution
How can Brandon, Donté Benjamin, Hope, Calvin, and Delonte connect to available resources in ways that are helpful? What opportunities can be created to increase their ability to contribute to their community?
Identity and Values
What can be done to build on Brandon's, Donté Benjamin's, Hope's, Calvin's, and Delonte's existing supports to enhance their sense of identity?
Competency
What are Brandon's, Donté Benjamin's, Hope's, Calvin's, and Delonte's strengths? How can these strengths and existing supports be paired to enable them to reach their education and career goals?
Belonging
What can be done to address Brandon's, Donté Benjamin's, Hope's, Calvin's, and Delonte's frustration and build on supports to enhance their sense of belonging?
Request a set of persona cards
Please complete the following form to request having a set of persona cards mailed to you. Cards are only available to those within the DC region and will only be available while supplies last.