May 2025 – Silke Endress International Women Media Forum

Healing, Hope, and Homecoming Take Center Stage at Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Annual Conference

The conference fulfilled its promise: to raise awareness, build community, and create real solutions to the barriers that justice-involved women and girls face every day. As one attendee shared, “This isn’t just a conference. It’s a movement.”

Healing

Hope

Redemption

Justice

Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney

“We want women to know that we are here for them; we got their back”

The Untold Stories of Justice-Involved Women and Girls Conference

Landover, MD — The Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Department of Reentry Services and Community Partnerships, hosted the second annual Untold Stories of Justice-Involved Women and Girls Conference on Wednesday, shining a powerful light on the lived experiences of women impacted by the criminal justice system. This year’s theme, “Healing, Hope, and Homecoming,” resonated deeply throughout the event as panelists, public officials, advocates, and formerly incarcerated women came together to spark dialogue, share stories, and strategize for a better path forward.

Held at Jericho City of Praise, a space filled with compassion and purpose, the 2025 conference focused on the complex and unique challenges justice-involved women face—particularly around motherhood, trauma recovery, family reunification, and reintegration into society. Judith S. Danso, Esq., Chief of Staff for the State’s Attorney’s Office, served as the poised and passionate Mistress of Ceremony, guiding attendees through a moving and impactful agenda.

One of the most powerful sessions, “Parenting Behind the Wall,” featured panelists currently incarcerated, speaking candidly about the emotional toll of raising children from prison. The panel, simulcast live to reach women “behind the walls,” underscored the strength of community and the importance of supportive family circles to bridge the gaps.

Among the key voices was Leslie Johnson, former wife of Prince George’s County Executive and now Director of Reentry Services in the State’s Attorney’s Office, who shared a glimpse of her journey of redemption and the importance of second chances. Her leadership in helping formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives brought a message of hope and real-world strategy to the conference.

The event concluded on an uplifting note with a Motivational Moment from Candice Dillard Bassett, actress, new mother, and Executive Director of National Women of Achievement, Inc. Her remarks celebrated the strength of women and challenged attendees to keep pushing for equity and inclusion in reentry services.

State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, the visionary behind the conference, emphasized the ongoing need to center women’s voices in justice reform efforts. “Too often, these stories go unheard. Today, we not only listen—we act,” she said. The conference fulfilled its promise: to raise awareness, build community, and create real solutions to the barriers that justice-involved women and girls face every day. CeCe Cole, Editor-In-Chief, Silke Endress International shared, “This isn’t just a conference. It’s a movement.”

Photo credit: CeCe Cole, CEO, Silke Endress International

Ken Harvey Turns the Page (and the Mic): NFL Legend Launches Comedy Career for His Birthday at Arlington Drafthouse

Who says linebackers can’t tell a good joke?

This past weekend, #57 himself, the formidable, fan-favorite Ken Harvey — tackled a new stage: the Arlington Drafthouse. But instead of blitzing quarterbacks, he was blitzing punchlines.

Harvey, a retired Pro Bowl linebacker of the Washington Redskins, kicked off his stand-up comedy tour aptly titled “It’s Never Too Late”, with the cheeky subtitle, “It Ain’t Over: Defying Your Age, Defining Your Dreams.” And honestly, the man still got it.

The sold-out show was a cocktail of comedy, confessions, and courage. Harvey, in his signature cool-meets-humble vibe, told stories that danced between locker room legends, midlife musings, and the universal truth of facing fears. Spoiler: The scariest thing for him wasn’t tackling, let’s say, Jerome Bettis — it was standing under a spotlight, with burgundy velvet curtains, a mic and no helmet.

The show, subtitled “It Ain’t Over: Defying Your Age, Defining Your Dreams,” marked a bold new chapter for Harvey, who’s no stranger to reinvention. After years of delivering bone-rattling tackles, writing inspirational books, and mentoring others off the field, Harvey stepped onto a new kind of stage—this time, to entertain with punchlines instead of pass rushes.

“As I’ve gotten older and turn 60, this is kind of my moment,” Harvey said. “In life you start reflecting…you look at things from a different perspective.” Harvey began to tell his humble story of dropping out of high school and the journey that led him to the NFL.

The night was packed with stories—some funny, some heartfelt—all centered around Harvey’s message: it’s never too late to start something new. He riffed on everything from the aches of getting older to behind-the-scenes NFL moments, weaving humor with personal insight in a way that made the crowd both laugh and reflect.

The audience was filled with longtime friends, teammates, and family members who cheered him on just as they had during his days on the football field. But this time, the applause came not for sacks and stats—but for honesty, vulnerability, and pure comedic timing. For Harvey, this isn’t just a tour. It’s a message: Reinvention is possible at any stage of life.

“It’s Never Too Late” is more than a catchy tour title. It’s a philosophy Harvey embodies. His performance wasn’t just a birthday celebration; it was a testament to the power of reinvention and the importance of embracing every moment, no matter your age or how many chapters have already been written.

For those in the audience, the takeaway was clear: Life doesn’t end when the jersey comes off. Sometimes, it’s just beginning—with a mic in hand and a joke in your back pocket.

Photo credit: CeCe Cole, Silke Endress International Media