Forgiveness is the practical work of a more humane justice system.

A professional barber and a battle for forgiveness — Sheba Williams is the founder of the Institute of Forgiveness. She uses her skills, training, and lived experience to change the juvenile and criminal legal systems in Virginia.

After spending years as a barber stylist, Sheba decided to use her barbering and cosmetology training to make a difference in the juvenile and criminal legal systems. She began a mentoring and trade program in 2016 after founding Nolef Turns Inc. — a nonprofit that works to reduce recidivism by supporting and advocating alongside those with court and justice involvement.

Because the barbering program is the most successful trade offered in Virginia's Department of Corrections, Sheba made the decision to use her barbering training as a tool to help others with self-employment skills — learning what is necessary to become licensed and pass state-certified testing, how to maintain financial independence, and most importantly, to provide PRE-Entry services for youth experiencing trauma that could potentially lead them into the juvenile or criminal legal systems through the mentoring program.

Partnering youth with those of learned and lived experience opens them up to opportunities of success and deters young people from entering the legal system.