Experience the Power of Artistic Expression
Get lost in the emotions and stories behind each piece on display
Discover What it's like to be 'More Than'
Our Vision
At LEAP, we believe in the power of transformation and the restoration of human dignity. Our More Than Project is a testament to the idea that we are all more than our past and any label society may impose. We've embarked on a journey to bring about positive change, particularly for formerly incarcerated women.
Our Artists
Within our gallery, you'll encounter a rich tapestry of emerging and established artists. Our passion extends to presenting formerly incarcerated women in a new and empowering light. Through art, we continue our commitment to reshaping perceptions and recognizing the inherent value in every individual, transcending societal labels.
Our Exhibitions
Join us on a journey through a diverse array of exhibitions that unfold throughout the year. These showcases not only highlight the remarkable works of our artists but also curate shows that delve into themes and ideas, spotlighting the strength and resilience of formerly incarcerated women. Our exhibitions serve as a platform to challenge perceptions, inspire change, and foster meaningful connections among visitors, encouraging engagement with the art and each other.
Our Team
Jessica Younts | Project Principal
Devin Coleman | Communications | Photographer |Videographer
Devin Coleman | Communications | Photographer |Videographer
Jessica Younts serves as a consultant for nonprofits assisting with strategic planning and organizational management. She currently serves as Executive Director for Florida Justice Center a nonprofit criminal legal aid organization that provides free and low-cost legal services to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. . Jessi
Jessica Younts serves as a consultant for nonprofits assisting with strategic planning and organizational management. She currently serves as Executive Director for Florida Justice Center a nonprofit criminal legal aid organization that provides free and low-cost legal services to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. . Jessica is also co-founder of Justice Impact Alliance (JIA), an organization led by individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Through the research, programs, and policy collaborations of justice-impacted leadership, JIA has introduced several initiatives targeting inequities within legal, education, housing, and employment systems.
Jessica is also co-founder and Director of Women’s Reentry Network a nonprofit organization that provides peer support to women and families who are and/or have experienced incarceration.
Jessica served as VP of FRRC from incorporation in 2011 until 2021 and served as the Fines & Fees Program Director from 2019- 2021. She was involved with the drafting and ultimate passage of Amendment 4 in Florida, which eliminated the lifetime ban on voting for people with felony convictions and instantly re-enfranchised over 1.45 million people with past felony convictions. After legislation was passed that attempted to limit the reach of Amendment 4, Jessica developed and implemented FRRC’s Fines & Fees Program which paid close to $30 million towards people’s fines and fees and helped over 30,000 people.
Jessica holds a JD and Ph.D from Nova Southeastern University, and a BS from St. John’s University and serves as a Board Member for the National Justice Impact Bar Association.
Devin Coleman | Communications | Photographer |Videographer
Devin Coleman | Communications | Photographer |Videographer
Devin Coleman | Communications | Photographer |Videographer
Devin D. Coleman is an author, public speaker, and single father advocate whose work embodies the art of turning tragedy into triumph.
He values the power of expression and narrative development which inspired him to study and pursue the art of audio, visual, and written storytelling.
He currently serves on The Nurse-Family Partnership, Flo
Devin D. Coleman is an author, public speaker, and single father advocate whose work embodies the art of turning tragedy into triumph.
He values the power of expression and narrative development which inspired him to study and pursue the art of audio, visual, and written storytelling.
He currently serves on The Nurse-Family Partnership, Florida Expansion Advisory Committee, Power of the Parents in Child Protection Advisory Panel, Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions as the Parent Lead Consultant, the Florida Institute of Child Welfare at FSU as a Researcher and member of The GROW Center Advisory Committee, the National Adoption Association as a Consultant, the American Bar Association's Stop Overreporting Our People (STOP) National Advisory Board, and the Education Development Center as Family Leadership Coach. He’s also obtained several certifications from the National Fatherhood Initiative all of which have created opportunities to speak and facilitate workshops at various events across the country.
Partnering with organizations that serve fathers, his mission is to empower them with the tools and resources necessary to unlock their full potential and achieve greatness.
Devin currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his 14-year-old daughter and is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2024.
Contributing Artists
Sara Bennett | Photographer
Sara Bennett | Photographer
Sara Bennett | Photographer
After 18 years as a public defender, SARA BENNETT turned her attention to photographing women with life sentences, both inside and outside prison. Her work has been widely exhibited in solo shows, including at the Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, OR, Photoville 2018 and 2019 in Brooklyn, NY, and 2023 Rotterdam Photo, and in group shows, incl
After 18 years as a public defender, SARA BENNETT turned her attention to photographing women with life sentences, both inside and outside prison. Her work has been widely exhibited in solo shows, including at the Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, OR, Photoville 2018 and 2019 in Brooklyn, NY, and 2023 Rotterdam Photo, and in group shows, including MoMA PS1’s Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, The Museum of the City of New York’s New York Now: Home, and the Blanton Museum of Art’s Day Jobs. Her work has been featured in such publications as The New York Times, The New Yorker Photo Booth, and Variety & Rolling Stone’s American (In)Justice.
Nancy DeNike | Photographer
Sara Bennett | Photographer
Sara Bennett | Photographer
Nancy DeNike.
I love photographs. They say things that words have a hard time expressing. They capture a moment and preserve our memories. I used to take pictures for a living. portraits, social events, corporate projects and magazine spreads. Photography has been rewarding to me in many ways, but my work for causes that I believe in ha
Nancy DeNike.
I love photographs. They say things that words have a hard time expressing. They capture a moment and preserve our memories. I used to take pictures for a living. portraits, social events, corporate projects and magazine spreads. Photography has been rewarding to me in many ways, but my work for causes that I believe in have been the most meaningful to me personally. LEAP is one of those causes. I myself was sentenced to five years at Homestead Correctional Institution, so it is very personal. Now I am blessed to be working with LEAP and ladies who are starting over in life. Documenting new memories and healing the old ones through photography is my purpose right now.
MK Howell | Artist
Sara Bennett | Photographer
MK Howell | Artist
MK Hollowell is a self-taught abstract artist and a navy veteran, exited the navy in Jacksonville Florida who has spent over 30 years depicting themes and concepts in acrylic paintings by way of canvas and large-scale murals. Her focus is on creating painted “stories” which she shares either through commission or personal curated artist p
MK Hollowell is a self-taught abstract artist and a navy veteran, exited the navy in Jacksonville Florida who has spent over 30 years depicting themes and concepts in acrylic paintings by way of canvas and large-scale murals. Her focus is on creating painted “stories” which she shares either through commission or personal curated artist pieces. MK has participated in the annual and public exhibits including the Ritz theatre “Through Our Eyes” and first ever all Black Women Artist exhibit Downtown Library Jacksonville Florida and who’s piece entitled “God’s trombone” has opened the Ritz gallery tour for the past 12 years. MK Hollowell volunteers her skills to paint for non-profit youth organizations to inspire young artists and MK does art sessions for Jacksonville City Violence Reduction Team as well as art sessions for the community at Edward Waters University. Artist MK continues to use her Artistic skills to inspire and aid others in self-healing and using art in self-exploration.
ARTIST STATEMENT MK” Hollowell
To this day I am still fascinated with seek and find or “I Spy” hidden picture books. There’s something intriguing about finding each image that is so strategically camouflaged in the pictures. This fascination along with a lifetime of hearing and contemplating commonly heard colloquialisms and axioms is where my unique style of artwork derives from. I paint with both sides of the coin in mind, in hopes to provoke, I paint perspective. It is in fact the value of perspective that brings about change, enlightenment, hope, courage, and triumph. A statement that I hold dear is that “In a War, there are many battles.” It is the victory over each of life’s battles that cultivate strength and recognized purpose. The discovery of one’s purpose is what keeps us living and thriving with a constant green light a “Perpetual Go.”
In my work I present a compilation of numerous images that intertwine and relate to the theme presented and promote the possibility to see things differently. I paint artistic visual challenges that free, enlighten and stimulate the heart and mind. My mission is to display my artistic abilities in a way that elicits deep journeys through thought and opens the imagination to deeper levels of consciousness. I intend to leave a legacy, a landmark of inspiration of choice, and an example of spiritual freedom. My personal philosophy is the 3 I’s “I Intentionally Inspire.” And I do this in my paintings by depicting the value of perspective through acrylic medium and canvas. I hope to motivate movement and growth in thought, word, and action through experiencing my work, my world! I marry images and bold color to emphasize the importance of each variable in the equation, nothing is insignificant in perspective, and all is to be considered to draw a summary. The question remains, how do you see it?
Participants
Krystle Culbertson | Participant
Krystle Culbertson | Participant
Krystle Culbertson | Participant
Krystle Culbertson.
Krystle is a proud graduate of the LEAP (Ladies Empowerment and Action Program) Class of 2021, welcomed into LEAP transition house March 2022 .She is currently enrolled in Human Services and Addiction Counseling at Miami Dade College, where she is deepening her commitment to community service and support.
Krystle s
Krystle Culbertson.
Krystle is a proud graduate of the LEAP (Ladies Empowerment and Action Program) Class of 2021, welcomed into LEAP transition house March 2022 .She is currently enrolled in Human Services and Addiction Counseling at Miami Dade College, where she is deepening her commitment to community service and support.
Krystle say’s “my most significant accomplishment to date is securing full-time employment as a Research Assistant at the University of Miami.” In this role, she is involved in research projects that directly impact her community.
In addition to her full-time role, Krystle also serves as a part-time Case Manager at LEAP. She is certified by the NRWC as a Reentry Specialist, demonstrating her dedication to helping others transition smoothly back into society.
Outside of her professional commitments, Krystle is a small business owner. She founded Sunkissed Crystals by Krystle LLC, where she creates handcrafted jewelry. Making jewelry is her therapeutic outlet, and she finds great joy in seeing others appreciate and enjoy her unique pieces. A percentage of her sales monthly go to LEAP as a donation.
Tanaine Jenkins| Participant
Krystle Culbertson | Participant
Krystle Culbertson | Participant
After giving 10 years of her life to the Florida Department of Corrections, Tanaine Jenkins has dedicated her voice to shining a light on the Second Sentence that Returning Citizens face once they are released from confinement. Tanaine is the best-selling author of From Prison to President: 7 Ways to Succeed in Your Sec
After giving 10 years of her life to the Florida Department of Corrections, Tanaine Jenkins has dedicated her voice to shining a light on the Second Sentence that Returning Citizens face once they are released from confinement. Tanaine is the best-selling author of From Prison to President: 7 Ways to Succeed in Your Second Chance, the President of Everything I Am LLC, the CEO of The Loc’d Line, a member of Florida Department of Corrections Advisory Board, a 2022 TEDx Jacksonville speaker and the recipient of the 2024 Johnnie Barrnett Harrison Award presented by the National Association of Reentry Professionals. She has also been featured in Forbes, on the CW Channel and PBS. Through her company, Everything I Am, Tanaine has helped hundreds of returning citizens and justice involved individuals find their 'Why' and learn the power of self-forgiveness. Tanaine is currently the Florida State Organizer and the Director of the Florida Safety Coalition for REFORM Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that is geared toward probation and parole reform. To date Reform Alliance has passed 18 bills in 11 states creating a better pathway to freedom for justice impacted individuals.
Quiana Malone | Participant
Maritza Solorzano | Participant
Maritza Solorzano | Participant
Quiana Malone. With a profound belief in the power of perseverance, is a force for positive change in her community. Hailing from Jacksonville, she is a graduate of A. Philip Randolph and Harvard Kennedy School. As the Senior Regional Manager for Color Of Change, she continues to make a significant impact.
Quiana's commitment extends beyon
Quiana Malone. With a profound belief in the power of perseverance, is a force for positive change in her community. Hailing from Jacksonville, she is a graduate of A. Philip Randolph and Harvard Kennedy School. As the Senior Regional Manager for Color Of Change, she continues to make a significant impact.
Quiana's commitment extends beyond her professional role. She actively not only founded but contributes daily to organizations like 1Step Up Inc., Dear Black Girl LLC, and 2ND Level Homes. Recognized for her work, she graced the pages of 'Essence Magazine' and was featured in 'Guardian Magazine' as an established former Returning Citizen.
An accomplished author, Quiana has published 'I Forgive You' and 'PIVOT,' offering wisdom and inspiration. She is also building maternity homes and affordable housing on the Northside of Jacksonville, accompanied by the pioneering "Dear Black Girl" program. Quiana has been recognized as one of the top 20 under 40 in FL and recently completed the Jim Moran Institute for Non-Profit.
Maritza Solorzano | Participant
Maritza Solorzano | Participant
Maritza Solorzano | Participant
Maritza Solorzano.