As we enter 2025, we’re excited to introduce some new members of the Fortune community!  

Last summer, Reggie Chatman joined the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP) as its Director of Public Policy. We spoke with Reggie to discuss his first few months at The Fortune Society.  

Upon entering his new role, Reggie was excited to give back to his community. A long-time supporter of Fortune, he was already familiar with our services. He looked forward to working alongside leaders like President and CEO Stanley Richards and Senior Vice President Dr. Ronald Day.  

“Fortune’s work relates to criminal justice policies that have impacted my life and the community I come from,” Reggie said. “I thought, why not get involved in work that directly impacts my life and the lives of people I care for? If we want to do better in society, we need to work on a ground level.” 

Reggie joined the DRCPP after receiving his MPH in Epidemiology and Health Policy and Practice from Columbia University. He brings a wealth of knowledge to his role and offers a unique perspective as he aims to address our participants’ concerns.  

Approaching his work through a public health lens, Reggie considers the social determinants of health that can directly affect our participants. He emphasized the importance of understanding how environmental factors like access to housing, food, education and health care can impact someone’s health and well-being.  

“Almost everything is related to public health,” Reggie explained. “For example, I recently submitted written testimony to the New York City Council regarding issues they had with families not being notified when someone was injured or if they died while incarcerated, and I presented injury prevention as a public health issue. Going forward, this information can help us establish policies and procedures in the facilities to create a safer environment and avoid these problems in the future.” 

As Director of Public Policy, much of Reggie’s work involves educating the Fortune community. He hosts information sessions at the Castle or at our Supervised Release Program (SRP) office in the Bronx about Clean Slate, Fair Chance for Housing and other legislation.  

In October, Reggie moderated “Bridging the Gap: Unlocking Digital Life Skills for the Justice-Impacted Community,” a webinar in collaboration with Fortune’s Digital Equity team. The webinar highlighted many of the challenges system-impacted people face while learning to navigate technology, including self-checkout, tap-and-go payment systems and mass transit. Reggie drew from his lived experience to lead the discussion with a unique understanding and sensitivity.  

Reggie also sits on several coalitions, working on legislation such as Fair Chance for Housing and the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act. They discuss the campaigns and how to proceed with educating the population. During these discussions, Reggie often references his lived experience, providing insight on implementing specific legislation and how it may impact the community.  

“We talk about the goals, impacts, and nuances of different legislations,” Reggie explained. “I’m able to bring my lived experience as a formerly incarcerated person and insert my perspective into things. When I approach these discussions with my community in mind, I can say, ‘Hey, maybe it doesn’t work that way we should think about it this way.’” 

In just a few months, Reggie has become a vital member of the Fortune community. His public health background and lived experience have proven invaluable as he continues to connect with and educate participants.  

We look forward to seeing how Reggie continues to grow in his role this year!