We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Coy Poitier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Coy below.
Coy, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission the drives your brand?
My mission is to encourage people that have criminal convictions, low self-esteem, or other personal issues by sharing my personal stories of failure, disappointments, and loss.
I went from my dream of being the Lake County Sheriff to being arrested and convicted of a crime I didn’t commit. Young and alone, I never fought the charges or stood up for myself. and have lived as a convicted felon for over 20 years.
After launching Felony 2 Freedom, a positive and encouraging speaking conference for people with prior convictions, I realized I was called to this life and I’m honored to share my accomplishments with others on how they can also live productive lives.
Coy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Coy Poitier (/’pwa:tier/), a successful and passionate community leader, award-winning film director, urban farmer, musician, motivational speaker, and certified master gardener.
In 1999, I was arrested and in 2000 I was convicted of a felony. I remember the judge telling me “you’ve messed up your life” and at that time I believed him.
In 2007, I moved to Dallas County with my wife and children to assist my mother’s church, Fresh Anointing Worship Center, as Minister of Music and Christian Education Director.
This is when my new life began.
I love to share my story with people who suffer from low self-esteem, self-doubt, and or have criminal convictions. I personally suffered from all of these and it affected every part of my life.
Below is a list of accomplishments since starting over in my 30s:
In 2011, I graduated from KD Studio & Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts.
In 2012, I became an award-winning Film Director – Cowboys of Color; A Multi-Cultural Legacy (5X Award Winning Documentary). Film on display in Texas Auxilary museum in Lancaster Texas and in archives at Dallas Public Library.
In 2014, I became the executive director of FAWC Conservatory of Arts and Sciences, a 501c3 youth mentoring public charity. The nonprofit started an urban farm in 2019 where we give gardening lessons to the community.
In 2020, I became a certified Dallas County Master Gardener through the Texas A&M AgriLife Ext. program. I’m also a member of the Dallas County Master Gardeners Association and recently became part of their speaker’s bureau.
In January 2022, I was elected to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency Urban County Committee in Dallas County where I serve as chairman of the board.
Other accomplishments between 2009 – 2022:
Appointed to the Dallas County Historical Commission by County Judge Clay Jenkins. (Present)
Appointed to Mayor’s Task Force on Confederate Monuments for the City of Dallas by Councilman Adam McGough.
Selected to the Baylor Scott and White Resident Council Board Member. (Present)
2018 Blake Anderson Public Service Award.
National Geographic Educator Certification.
Native Landscape Certification – Level 1.
Dallas County Medical Reserves Corps.
Dallas CERT.
Appointed to City of Lancaster – Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Tree Board. (Former)
Appointed to City of Dallas – South Dallas / Fair Park Trust Fund Advisory Board. (Former)
I share these accomplishments to show others that “You can achieve if you believe”.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What is helping to build my reputation is my ability to work with almost anyone and my love for people.
People know genuine people and I pray they feel my desire to inspire and encourage them from our first meeting.
As a motivational speaker and consultant, I love to share relevant and sometimes personal information with the audience to show I have an understanding of what they go through. My charges may not be as serious many times but I try to find common ground where I can be helpful to them.
It’s about establishing a good relationship that will continue for years.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want Felony 2 Freedom to become the TED X for people with criminal convictions that desire to do great things in their communities. Stories on how they are giving back, moving forward, and encouraging others to do the same.
A platform to remind them that they are not convicted felons but “Somebody” with a felony conviction.
We are looking forward to “Felony2Freedom” Conference in June 2022
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coypoitier.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coylpoitier
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coy.poitier
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coypoitier
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/coylpoitier
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCzB6inFCW-MkhScZrI1fdSw
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=coy+poitier&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS928US928&oq=Coy+&aqs=chrome.3.69i59l2j69i57j69i59j69i60l4.4016j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8