Meet the Founders
THE JACKSON'S
Sylvester Jackson
Sylvester Jackson leads Believers for Change with a mission to break cycles of injustice and empower communities. Drawing from lived experience, he drives
mentorship, reentry support, and advocacy, ensuring second chances lead to lasting transformation.
STRUGGLE
I was born and raised in poverty, turning to the streets of Chicago at a young age where I learned the art of survival. I embraced the gang life, drug life, and hustling life, leading me into a darkness so deep that very few make it out. In my pain, anger, and struggles, I turned against God, blaming Him for the choices I had made.
For years, I battled mental health challenges, which eventually led to an extended stay in a mental health facility in 2005. Just two years later, in 2007, I was incarcerated—a consequence of the life I had been living.
REDEMPTION
What seemed like my lowest point became the turning point of my life. The 10 years I spent in prison from 2007 to 2017 freed me from the 28 years of mental imprisonment I had been trapped in. It was there that I found clarity, healing, and redemption.
Through all my trials and tribulations that nearly claimed my life, I learned one thing for sure—two things for certain: God's Grace and Mercy are real, and forgiveness—both of others and of myself—is the key to healing.
Lavansa Jackson
Lavansa Jackson drives Believers for Change’s programs and outreach, ensuring justice-impacted individuals and underserved youth receive mentorship and support. As Executive Director, she leads with passion and resilience, using her experience to uplift others and create lasting change.
INCARCERATED
At 16, I was arrested and detained in the county jail until I turned 19. Prosecuted as an adult, I was sentenced to 16 1/2 years in federal prison for refusing to cooperate against a drug kingpin. My teenage years were spent behind bars, shaping my understanding of the systemic challenges faced by justice-impacted youth.
ADVOCACY
After serving my sentence, I completed 3 1/2 years of parole, finally gaining full freedom at 38. Instead of harboring resentment, I chose to educate myself on racial injustice and advocate for the rights of children of color. My mission is to prevent others from experiencing what I endured, using my story to inspire change and reform.