Inside a small, secure gymnasium and beneath a basketball hoop, Raven Blackwing pitched her business, Raven\u2019s Haven, to two coaches seated in matching plastic tan chairs.<\/p>\n
Blackwing told the two other women she is starting a \u201csomatic breath work\u201d company, where she \u2014 and eventually a staff of other formerly incarcerated women she trains \u2014 would help clients process trauma and stress through breathing and movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m asking for $20,000 in seed funding to finalize my branding and domain, and create marketing materials, such as a website, and complete certification programming along with curriculum development,\u201d said Blackwing, who was convicted of multiple felonies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really asking for your support and healing the health \u2014 and therefore lives \u2014 of those around us,” she continued, \u201cthrough my dedication and fierce drive. Because, again, with a superhero name like mine, how could I not create the space to safely transform?\u201d<\/p>\n
The two coaches clapped and cheered. Coach Marisa Johnson, a local business owner, said it gave her chills. But what\u2019s one way Blackwing could improve?<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think that I could make it not sound so polished,\u201d Blackwing said. \u201cIronically, I\u2019ve noticed in this that some of the feedback has been, \u2018You kind of lose me a little bit.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c100% disagree,\u201d said the other coach, Dr. Sidni Shorter, president and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce. \u201cYou delivered because you brought you to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Tanner Moulton | NinetyEight) Dr. Sidni Shorter (center) and Marisa Johnson (right) listen to an “entrepreneur in training” give a business pitch at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 10, 2025.<\/p>\n
(Tanner Moulton | NinetyEight) A business coach hugs an “entrepreneur in training” as she practices her business pitch at the Utah State Correctional Facility on Thursday, July 10, 2025.<\/p>\n
Blackwing and the 17 other incarcerated women in that gym were learning how to pitch a business as \u201centrepreneurs in training,\u201d or EITs \u2014 the first cohort of women sponsored by Defy Ventures to come from the Utah State Correctional Facility. A class of men graduated earlier this year, and July 10 was the last day of the women\u2019s competition. <\/p>\n
They were also learning to pitch themselves \u2014 and to believe in what they are selling \u2014 so they can one day find work far from what landed them behind bars in the first place.<\/p>\n
Anecdotally, the majority of business owners start a business \u201cbecause they have to, meaning that nobody will employ them,\u201d said Tim Cooley, director of entrepreneurship at the Governor\u2019s Office of Economic Opportunity.<\/p>\n
That is especially true for formerly incarcerated people, he said. Plus, in Utah, those inmates will be coming into a \u201cvery open ecosystem of entrepreneurship.\u201d That\u2019s why Cooley, who participated as a coach for the men\u2019s cohort, said this program is \u201cextremely valuable.\u201d <\/p>\n
Still, many participants will not start their own business. And that\u2019s OK too, said CEO and president of Defy Ventures, Andrew Glazier.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe use entrepreneurship not because we think everyone\u2019s going to start a business. We know that entrepreneurship is hard, whether you\u2019re formerly incarcerated or not. ..,\u201d Glazier said, \u201cBut we know that for most people coming home, they\u2019re going to need to get a job and get settled.\u201d<\/p>\n
This training, he said, will help them do that.<\/p>\n
What is Defy?<\/p>\n
(Tanner Moulton | NinetyEight) Kimberly Cruz Romero speaks at Defy Venture’s business pitch competition at the Utah State Correctional Facility on Thursday, July 10, 2025.<\/p>\n
Defy Ventures\u2019 curriculum runs seven months. Cohorts study from four books and attend classes twice a week, said John Jackson, the executive director of Utah\u2019s program. <\/p>\n
There are no barriers for entry based on a person\u2019s age, education or severity of conviction, Jackson said, but they need to show they\u2019re committed. That starts with a 28-page application. <\/p>\n
Once accepted, they will be booted if they miss two classes, if they are not following prison rules or are not doing the coursework.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a high standard, not because we\u2019re being strict; not because we\u2019re being mean.\u201d Jackson said. \u201cBut because when you get out and you don\u2019t show up for work, guess what happens? You lose your job.\u201d<\/p>\n
It all culminates in a business pitch competition \u2014 for a chance to win money and resources toward starting a company once they leave prison. Then, a graduation. For some, like Blackwing, it is the first time they will wear a cap and gown.<\/p>\n
Throughout the program, Jackson said, participants confront their pasts, their \u201cself-limiting belief\u201d and learn new coping strategies. They also learn how to harness the skills they already have \u2014 what Jackson called a \u201ctransferable skillset\u201d \u2014 to build a better future.<\/p>\n
(Tanner Moulton | NinetyEight) John Jackson, executive director of Defy Ventures Utah, speaks to “entrepreneurs in training” and their volunteer coaches during the business pitch competition at the Utah State Correctional Facility on Thursday, July 10, 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomebody who sold drugs, they\u2019re a great salesperson. Somebody who was a gang leader, right \u2014 you can translate that into leadership skills of managing people,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve just done it the wrong way for a long time, but the skillset is valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s program started with 35 people, Jackson said. Throughout the course, at least two women were released. Ultimately, under 20 made it to the July 10 graduation, including a few inmates \u2014 such as Jodi Hildebrandt<\/a> \u2014 who Corrections officials did not allow The Salt Lake Tribune to speak with.<\/p>\n