Justice and Substance Use Alabama Summit

Stephen Hill – All Locations

Birmingham – Danny Trejo 

Danny Trejo has developed a prolific career in the entertainment industry with a hard-earned and atypical road to success. From years of imprisonment to helping troubled youth battle drug addictions, from acting to producing, and now on to restaurant ventures, Trejo’s name, face, and achievements are well recognized in Hollywood and beyond, but it is his continuous role as a devoted father of three and an intervention counselor that bring him the most satisfaction. Trejo has starred in dozens of films including DESPERADO, HEAT, the FROM DUSK TIL DAWN series, CON AIR, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, SPY KIDS, MACHETE, and MACHETE KILLS.

On the television side, Trejo had recurring roles on SONS OF ANARCHY, KING OF THE HILL, BREAKING BAD, and THE FLASH, among others. In the 3rd season of AMERICAN GODS, Danny played the character of “Mr. World”. Most recently, he can be seen in the role of Rancor Keeper in THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT airing on Disney+.

Trejo has starred in and voiced various popular video games like CALL OF DUTY, FALLOUT, GRAND THEFT AUTO, and DEF JAM. Additionally, Danny has voiced characters in the animated films STORKS, THE BOOK OF LIFE, MAYA AND THE THREE directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, and Universal Pictures’ MINIONS 2: The Rise of Gru, released Summer 2022.

Danny’s colorful life and prolific career are chronicled in the bio-documentary INMATE #1 released in 2020. He also released his fearlessly honest memoir TREJO: MY LIFE OF CRIME, REDEMPTION, AND HOLLYWOOD in July 2021.

Trejo’s expanding restaurant empire includes Trejo’s Tacos & Cantina, and Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts, with a fifth restaurant opening in downtown Los Angeles soon and will expand internationally starting with a location in London in early 2024. His entrance to the literary world was sharing his love of food in the release of his first cookbook TREJO’S TACOS: RECIPES and STORIES from LA. His companion book, TREJO’S CANTINA, a book about cocktails, snacks & amazing non-alcoholic drinks from the heart of Hollywood was released in April 2023.

Mobile and Prattville – Kemba Smith Pradia

Kemba Smith Pradia is a domestic violence survivor and nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform whose story of resilience and redemption drew national attention to mass incarceration and the war on drugs in the 1990s. Often described as the “poster child” for challenging the rise of lengthy sentences for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders, Kemba’s case was featured on numerous television programs and in major publications. After being sentenced to 24.5 years for a nonviolent drug offense tied to her abusive boyfriend, she endured a highly publicized legal battle before receiving executive clemency from President Bill Clinton in 2000, after serving 6.5 years in prison. Since then, Kemba has worked alongside civil rights and criminal justice organizations, The White House, state officials, and international bodies. She has testified before Congress and the United Nations and previously served on both the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and the Virginia Parole Board under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.
Her dedication has earned her numerous awards for transforming her life and courageously advocating for incarcerated individuals, survivors of domestic violence, and young people. She is a leading voice on issues including voting rights, drug policy, prison education, reentry, clemency, probation, domestic violence, and the incarceration of women.
Kemba has also been corporately sponsored by Verizon, Walmart, Travelers Foundation, Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Gulfstream, and Capital One to share her story before diverse audiences nationwide.
Kemba holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP. Her story continues to inspire youth, women, students, and professionals across disciplines to be champions for social justice and to value their ability to be the change we need to see. She is the author of her memoir Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story and executive producer of the award-winning film KEMBA, now streaming on BET+.
In 2024, Kemba was named an Equity in Action Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania while also leading an impact campaign tied to her film. On January 19, 2025, President Joe Biden granted her a full pardon—nearly 25 years after her release.
Ultimately, Kemba believes that every experience offers a lesson. For decades, she has drawn on her own journey to lead with authenticity, inspire change, and teach others.

Damon West – Huntsville 

Damon West, an influential figure in the realms of resilience and transformation, boasts a rich professional background that shapes his impactful keynote speeches. Holding an M.S. in Criminal Justice, he has worn numerous hats – from being a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas to working in the United States Congress. His journey led him to the corporate arena, working for institutions like United Bank of Switzerland (UBS) as a stockbroker. However, a life-altering encounter steered him onto a different path, one that involved battling addiction, a prison sentence, and ultimately, a remarkable comeback.

Damon West is the acclaimed author of “The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change.” The Wall Street Journal bestseller was listed by Forbes as a must-read in 2020. This pivotal work encapsulates his journey from a Texas maximum-security prison to a life of inspiration, likening personal growth to a coffee bean transforming water. His expertise in transformative change has found resonance with global giants like Walmart, AIG, and Chick-fil-A, as well as sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Damon West’s story of redemption, grit, and determination continues to inspire audiences worldwide. His captivating keynotes, infused with real-world experiences, empower organizations to navigate adversity, drive change, and foster resilience. As a sought-after speaker, Damon West’s insights inspire individuals and teams to discover their own potential for positive change.

Statement of Need – The growing prevalence of substance use disorders among incarcerated individuals highlights a critical need for education and enhanced understanding among professionals working within the justice system. Many individuals in this system struggle with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders yet face significant barriers, including a lack of resources and inadequate coordination with care providers upon release. As noted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, these challenges prevent access to essential SUD treatment and continuity of care, ultimately resulting in a high rate of recidivism. Most individuals return to their communities without the necessary treatment, which often leads to a relapse into substance use and further encounters with law enforcement. Therefore, there is a need for initiatives like the upcoming summit, which will provide valuable insights into the work of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, Community Corrections, and Peer Support Specialists. By addressing these issues, we can work towards reducing stigma and improving outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders within the justice system.

Learning Objectives – After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the role and value of cross-sector collaboration between justice agencies, public health organizations, and social services in addressing substance use and justice involvement.
• Analyze how integrated services, such as PEERs and behavioral health professionals, contribute to long-term recovery and a reduction in recidivism.
• Explain the components of trauma-informed Crisis Intervention Training and demonstrate how it can be integrated into justice system practices.
• Evaluate current diversion and substance use treatment programs within the justice system, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
• Assess the impact of stigma on individuals with substance use disorders in the justice system and propose strategies to reduce its effects.

NBCC – The Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education at The University of Alabama has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. This program is approved for 5.50 credits. ACEP No. 7285. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The University of Alabama is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

ASBSWE – The University of Alabama is an approved provider of continuing education by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (Provider #0290). This training offers social workers 5.50 contact hours.

APOST – Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission credits, if approved by your agency head. This training offers 5.50 APOST credits.

CLE – This training has been approved by the Alabama State Bar for 5.50 credits of continuing legal education.

CRSS – This training has been approved for 5.50 continuing education credit hours for Certified Recovery Support Specialists.