 By Michael "Mickey" Saine II Every September feels special, but this one carries a weight and excitement that’s hard to put into words. Over four powerful days, we’re not just gathering for events—we’re coming together to celebrate a movement of resilience, education, and hope. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. Every time I reflect on what’s happening in our community, I’m reminded that we are living in a moment where second chances are not just defended—they are being celebrated. For me, this isn’t abstract—it’s personal. I’ve been system-impacted for just under a decade, and being part of P2P has given me space to rebuild, contribute, and use my voice in ways I never thought possible. To now stand here, not only as someone who has benefited from these efforts but also as someone helping to share the stories and build momentum—it’s humbling beyond words. The Rise Up Conference (Sept. 9–10) has always centered justice-impacted voices. Then, for the first time ever, the Rise Up Summit (Sept. 10–12) brings together leaders, visionaries, and changemakers to connect ideas with action.
Being accepted for the opportunity to attend the Rise Up Summit this September is an incredible honor. To join other voices in imagining and shaping the future of this conference—and of our shared mission—is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. That feeling is amplified knowing the Summit will be held at the University of Maryland, the very campus where I earned my Master’s degree. Walking back into that space in this new role is a powerful reminder of how far second chances can take us. I’m preparing to join the P2P family of PhDs in the near future, and the thought leaves me in awe. Life has a way of taking unexpected roads. I trained to be an ethical pentester, ready to dig into the technical world of cybersecurity—but my path turned, and now I work in media, building websites, crafting blogs and newsletters, producing videos, and amplifying voices through social media. It’s not where I thought I’d end up—but it’s exactly where I’m meant to be. That’s the beauty of second chances: they open doors we didn’t even know existed. At P2P, we work tirelessly to amplify voices but the truth is that if we tried to document every journey of transformation in this community, we wouldn’t have a book—we’d have an encyclopedia of courage, determination, and new beginnings. Every story is a testament to resilience and hope. We will continue everyday to work towards documenting those stories of change, resilience, and hope! In another opportunity to gather and talk about those stories, on Sept. 12, we’ll gather at the PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in Baltimore—a space that humbles me deeply. Thurgood Marshall, the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, began his journey in those halls. Walking into the PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center reminds me that, like him, we can challenge systems, lift others, and create lasting change—lessons that inspire me as we work to expand opportunities and second chances for those around me. In that same space, at the P2P Annual Achievement Celebration, we’ll celebrate our P2P scholars, launch our groundbreaking book Breaking Chains, Building Futures, and come together as a community determined to keep moving forward. That’s history speaking to us. That’s legacy reminding us what’s possible. And what moves me most: so many of the people walking into these events have shed the label of felon—a label meant to confine—and stepped into new identities as leaders, parents, mentors, and dreamers. That’s what makes me proud to be part of this work. That’s what makes me hopeful for the future we are building together. This isn’t an advertisement. These conversations matter. These gatherings matter. And you—your presence, your voice, your belief in second chances—you matter most of all. Standing inside a building tied to Thurgood Marshall’s legacy, we are reminded that history isn’t just what we inherit—it’s what we build, together. This September, we honor the past, lift up the present, and shape the future. I couldn’t be prouder—or more grateful—to rise up alongside you.
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