Founder's Story

Kenyatta McCloud serves as a Reentry Navigator and Workforce Mentor, providing guidance, support, and advocacy to individuals navigating the transition from incarceration back into the community. She works alongside justice-impacted women and girls to identify barriers, connect to resources, build confidence, and develop the tools needed to move forward.

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

Kenyatta serves as a subcontracted Pearson VUE GED Testing Administrator for the 4th Judicial Circuit and is certified to facilitate Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and Thinking for a Change (T4C), evidence-based cognitive behavioral programs utilized in 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 understanding led to the creation of initiatives including Project M.E.S.S., the Rebuilding Me Curriculum, the Taming My M.E.S.S. Reentry Journal, and the EmpowerHER App—designed to promote healing, accountability, emotional growth, personal development, 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 is also a committee member of the National Association of Reentry Professionals (NARP), continuing her commitment to advancing reentry advocacy, collaboration, and professional development nationwide.

Founder’s Perspective

“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 & Executive Director, Taming My M.E.S.S. Foundation
Chair, Northeast Florida Reentry Coalition