How ReConnex Is Helping Lead Charlotte’s Reentry Revolution Through Co-operative Ownership

In Charlotte, a powerful movement is underway to transform the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals and ReConnex is proud to be part of that change. Our recent feature in The Charlotte Observer spotlighted the efforts of local organizations that are helping returning citizens rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship. Among these, programs like City Startup Labs’ ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) are offering second chances by equipping participants with the tools to launch and sustain their own businesses.

Launched through City Startup Labs, ReConnex is a direct result of a long-standing commitment to reentry entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Our work is rooted in the belief that people deserve more than just a second chance. They deserve meaningful pathways to contribute, create, and thrive. Many of our team members are graduates of REEP and continue to embody its core values: resilience, innovation, and community uplift.

Elsworth Usher and Mustaffa Jenkins (pictured above) are among four employee-owners of ReConnex

These initiatives are more than just business training—they represent a shift in how society views rehabilitation and opportunity. As more stories emerge of individuals turning their past into purpose, Charlotte is becoming a model for what’s possible when we invest in people, not just programs. At ReConnex, we’re committed to continuing this work—bridging gaps, breaking cycles, and building futures through tech and community-driven impact.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article304437271.html#storylink=cpy