Founder's Story

Kenyatta McCloud is the Founder and Executive Director of Taming My M.E.S.S. Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering justice-impacted women and girls through mentorship, emotional wellness, and supportive reentry services.

With over 18 years of experience in reentry and workforce development, Kenyatta has devoted her career to supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration back into their communities. Her work has focused on mentorship, workforce readiness, emotional support, cognitive development, and successful reintegration.

Kenyatta serves as a subcontracted Pearson VUE GED Testing Administrator for the 4th Judicial Circuit and is certified as a facilitator for Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and Thinking for a Change (T4C), evidence-based cognitive behavioral programs used within correctional and reentry settings. She is also an NCCER Core Instructor and holds certifications including Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Through her experiences working inside correctional institutions and within the community, Kenyatta recognized the need for relationship-based support that extends beyond basic resources. This led to the creation of initiatives such as Project M.E.S.S., the Rebuilding Me Curriculum, the Taming My M.E.S.S. Reentry Journal, and the Empowerment App — all designed to promote healing, accountability, emotional growth, and long-term success.

Kenyatta also serves as the newly elected Chair of the Northeast Florida Reentry Coalition, where she collaborates with organizations, stakeholders, and community leaders to strengthen reentry support services throughout Northeast Florida. She also a committee member of the National Association of Reentry Professionals (NARP), continuing her commitment of advancing reentry advocacy collaboration, and professional development nationwide.

Founder’s Message:

“As Founder of the Taming My M.E.S.S. Foundation, I can sleep peacefully knowing another woman is safe after release. Not everyone has family support, and sometimes a successful transition starts with simply knowing someone cares.”

— Kenyatta McCloud

Founder and Executive Director, Taming My M.E.S.S Foundation

Chair, Northeast Florida Reentry Coalition