Celebrate MLK's legacy and his unique tie to Temple B'nai Abraham as we hear from Al-Tariq Witcher about the impactful work of Essex Together (of which TBA is a founding member) in promoting criminal justice reform.

Al-Tariq Witcher, senior organizer at Essex Together, is an accomplished advocate, entrepreneur, and community leader who overcame a troubled past to become a beacon of hope and empowerment for those impacted by the criminal justice system.

Born and raised in Newark, NJ, he excelled academically until mischievousness and substance abuse derailed his life and led to over 20 years in prison. While incarcerated, Al-Tariq became a paralegal and dedicated himself to fighting for the rights of his fellow prisoners and their families. Since his release in 2011, he has earned a degree in Paralegal Studies from Essex County College, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, with a minor in Legal Studies, from Rutgers University. He has held various positions in social services and transportation, but his true passion is entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for Returning Citizens.

Al-Tariq is a co-founder of the Returning Citizens Support Group, a peer-to-peer mentoring program that provides support and resources to those impacted by the criminal justice system. He is also the Associate Director for Rutgers Re-entry Opportunity Programs for Entrepreneurship in Newark (RE-OPEN), which provides entrepreneurship training and support to at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals.

As an organizer with New Jersey Together, Al-Tariq works with a diverse coalition of religious and nonprofit organizations to address issues such as gun violence and affordable housing. 

Al-Tariq's philosophy is simple but powerful: "Once part of the problem, now part of the solution!" He is committed to using his experiences and expertise to positively impact his community and beyond.