In Conversation: Justice, Reintegration & the Power of Second Chances

How do we begin again—individually and collectively—in a society that so often denies the possibility of transformation?

Join FLOK for an intimate evening with Dr. Topeka K. Sam—visionary activist, founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries, and one of the nation’s most powerful voices in the movement for justice reform and women’s reintegration. In dialogue with FLOK founder Karen Mehiel and entrepreneur and educator Nicole Daedone, this gathering will explore the radical potential of second chances and the responsibility we share in making them real.

This conversation will open up the often-unseen realities of life after incarceration—what it truly takes to return and rebuild, from housing and employment to emotional healing and financial stability. We’ll explore how race, gender, and privilege shape access to second chances, and how cultural movements have both illuminated and complicated the pursuit of justice. Moving beyond awareness, the dialogue invites tangible ways to get involved—through mentorship, advocacy, hiring, and community-rooted support. Together, we’ll also consider the urgent need to reform the systems that remain, while holding space to imagine a more just and human future.

ABOUT DR. TOPEKA SAM

Dr. Topeka K. Sam is a trusted consultant, speaker, and visionary entrepreneur. She is the Founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (@TheLOHM) and leads multiple ventures, including EPIC Financial PBLLC, TKS Ventures LLC, Faces & Voices Inc., and MyFRSH financial services—all created to address trauma and support emotional well-being.

Since her release from federal prison in 2015, Topeka has grown both her nonprofit and business initiatives, while also serving on the boards of The Marshall Project, Operation Restoration, Pure Legacee, and the United Justice Coalition. She is a strategic advisor for RBIJ and HARP.

Topeka previously hosted The Topeka K. Sam Show on SiriusXM and is now developing TV and film projects as an Executive Producer, inspired by her mission to transform the narrative around women’s incarceration. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Essence, New York Times, Rolling Stone, and more, and she has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, The Tamron Hall Show, and The Today Show.

A TEDx presenter and frequent keynote speaker, Topeka continues to be recognized for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of women and families impacted by the criminal legal system.

ABOUT NICOLE DAEDONE

Nicole Daedone is an educator and entrepreneur who co-founded OneTaste, a company that taught a meditation practice focused on female sexuality. She currently faces federal charges which critics have characterized as prosecutorial overreach targeting women with forward thinking ideas on empowerment. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Daedone continues to advocate for both the liberation of women, and bringing fairness and dignity to those caught in the criminal justice system.