Colie Levar Long, born and raised in Washington DC, truly embodies the transformative impact of second chances. When he was 18 years old, he was convicted and sentenced to life without parole. During his incarceration, Colie became an author, publishing Drama City, a fiction book loosely based on his life. He also served as a mentor for incarcerated youth at the Young Men Emerging Unit of the DC Jail. After serving 26 years, Colie was released from incarceration. Building on his passion about criminal justice reform, Colie secured a Justice Reform Fellowship with FAMM. He currently works as a Program Associate at the Georgetown Prison and Justice Initiative, where he supports program administration, returning citizens, and Prison Scholars at the D.C. Jail. Committed to empowering marginalized communities, Colie also continues to pursue work on behalf of justice-involved individuals through various roles as a writer, speaker, and advocate. Colie’s story was featured in the 2023 documentary, District of Second Chances, which explores DC’s Second Look Act, a law that provides the possibility of a reduced sentence for individuals who were under 25 at the time of their crime and who have served at least 15 years of their sentence. Colie’s belief in Negotiation Works’ programs and goals stems from his views that empowering individuals to resolve conflicts and advocate for themselves is pivotal in addressing systemic injustices and fostering community stability. Colie’s embodiment of the Negotiation Works mission is his unwavering dedication to change and empowerment.