WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

My Person of the Week put Proverbs 29:18, Hosea 4:6 and Job 42:2 in his mission statement. Sounds inspiring? Well, he’s not your traditional born-again Christian, and the kind of business he owns isn’t what you’ll expect from a Christian either.

We’ll get to his business later. First, let’s get into the fact he used three powerful scriptures in his mission statement for his prison, The R.I.C.H. Family Corrections. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he,” Proverbs 29:18. Founder and owner of The R.I.C.H Family Corrections, Alphonza Mabry, said, “I did time in prison and in order to survive, whatever vision you had to make money legally is gone by the time you get out. And when you’re out of prison, you’re not truly free, because they have a chain around your mind and spirit. Then you have to deal with $2,000 probation fees and other financial obligations that has you bound to the system. That causes a lot of ex-offenders to lack a positive vision.”

The R.I.C.H Family Corrections is incorporated and registered with the state of North Carolina. Mabry’s focus is on drug dealers and ex-nonviolent offenders. “The war on drugs allowed the world to look at the perception of black and brown people as super predators, having them do a bunch of time for petty drug charges. Knowing they are the over populated people in prison, I wanted to focus on creating an opportunity for them. We shouldn’t put all of the focus on rehabilitating the drug users, but let’s also help the drug dealers. Selling drugs is a lifestyle. It’s not about popularity or fun. When you grow up in these streets, it’s the only way a lot of us learn how to provide for our families. R.I.C.H Family Corrections will teach them how to create financial freedom legally before they walk out of prison. That’s what I have now, financial freedom, and I’m very blessed and proud of my accomplishments. It’s makes it easy for me follow the laws and stay legit!”

He does believe there’s a need for prison, but only if it’s making a difference. “We’re going to have our people putting in 100 hours a week taking online courses. That’s 400 hours a month. Getting that kind of knowledge keeps you from being blind and bound to the prison system, which is known to be a form of slavery.” He said JOB 42:2 inspired that vision: “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”  Mabry said he’s the best research on how to run a successful prison system for black and brown people. His mission is to eliminate mass incarceration in America through self-development and financial education.

Alphonza was facing 65 years in prison on drug charges, but with prayer and a promise to God, he only did two years. “I promise God if he shows me what he wants me to do, I’ll do it. So, I want to provide others like me with the tools and resources to where they will have confidence and a vision, so they’ll thrive financially and not have to rely on the government’s system for assistance.” He said that was inspired by Hosea 4:6: “My people perish for a lack of knowledge.”

“Most people who rely on the government don’t know about the resources that’s available to them. So, we must teach them how to better themselves from a financial standpoint, and not going up the street hoping John Smith gives them a job. We’re also going to build their confidence in our facilities. When I got out of prison, I didn’t know if I was more afraid of when I got locked up or when they released me. The system takes away your confidence, Busta. They open up the gates and send you into a world and life, and you don’t know what’s going on. And this happens every day. When I got out of prison, I didn’t have any confidence until God came into my life and then introduced me to a brotha that taught me how to create financial freedom for myself. I’m a firm believer that you can’t help somebody unless you experienced what they’re going through, or went through. So, what my friend did for me, I’m paying it forward and doing it for others. My prison is about building the courage that ex-offenders can make it legally in America when they’re released.”

Alphonza is currently talking with several architects and investors and should have the R.I.C.H Family Corrections up and running very soon. I will keep you posted.

Alphonza Mabry was born and raised in Eden, N.C. He relocated to Washington, D.C. for five years, but returned to Eden due to the passing of his father. Through all of his trials and tribulations, he landed on top. Along with the R.I.C.H Family Corrections, he’s also the proud owner of a very successful Hemp business, The R.I.C.H Flower LLC.  The Hemp plant is a cousin of the marijuana plant and is an essential component of medical marijuana. “Most of my clients use it for depression, as a muscles relaxer, anxiety, and migraines. Because of the success of my business, I’m able to employ over 20 black and brown young men and women. Some are ex-nonviolent offenders who were unemployed for years. God has been truly good to me and it’s my job to reach out and bless those that the system has turned their backs on.”

For more info, contact Alphonza Mabry @therichflower.com.