About
Dr. Naia Wilson spent roughly three decades in urban education working to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, leading a Boston high school to national honors.
Now directing housing-justice work at Justice 4 Housing following her own journey through the criminal justice system, she joined the White Collar Conference panel on healing through supportive community.
At the White Collar Conference
Naia Wilson described the web of support that formed around her after she became justice involved: the White Collar Support Group, which she found online, and family, friends and people of many faiths who prayed with her and filled the courtroom at her sentencing. She talked about learning to accept help as someone used to giving it, and about her work advocating for people who are denied public housing because of their records.
“This was the first time that I was actually saying, I need help. I was reaching out and I was able to accept it.”
Watch at 18:19
“In order to find it you have to allow it in.”
Watch at 29:28
“You have to let people know that you're open and vulnerable to accepting the help.”
Watch at 30:18
Chapters
- 0:00 William Sansing introduces the panel
- 1:13 Father Joe on becoming a police officer and Bergen County sheriff
- 11:25 Father Joe on the family that stood by him
- 13:14 Dr. Naia Wilson on the support around her after a wire fraud charge
- 18:28 Naia Wilson on her work in housing advocacy
- 20:50 Portia Louder on federal prison and coming home
- 23:34 Portia Louder on loneliness after release and finding support
- 27:38 William Sansing on his first night in prison
- 29:08 Letting community in
- 33:12 Closing thoughts on a judgment-free community
With Portia Louder, William Sansing (moderator) and Fr. Joseph Ciccone
Join us in fall 2027.
The fourth annual White Collar Conference is planned for fall 2027, virtual on Zoom and open to all.