I am a graduate of Rutgers-Newark School of Criminal Justice. I majored in Criminal Justice and I minored in Social Justice. I am a Braven Fellow, a member of the HLLC and NJSTEP communities, and an intern at YAP. I have 10 years of experience as a jailhouse lawyer/paralegal. I am an advocate for prisoners’ rights and I am a champion of equal rights and due process. I enjoy working with at risk youth and young adults and I look forward to a career where my talents can be put to good use helping the voiceless. I want to bring about change in the criminal justice system and in the lives of youths that are at risk of dropping out of school and becoming involved in crime in our community.

Al-Tariq Witcher is an accomplished advocate, entrepreneur, and community leader who has overcome 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. He is a youth mentor with Rise2gether, a program that empowers young people to be leaders in their communities. He serves on the Hudson County Advisory Board for the Reduction of Gun Violence.

In 2015, Al-Tariq launched Around the Clock Property Management, LLC, which focuses on developing and managing affordable housing for Returning Citizens in Essex County. He has since developed three multi-family houses and manages several other properties. He also co-founded Second Chance Developers LLC, which aims to build safe, affordable, sustainable housing for system-impacted individuals and create opportunities for Newark residents to build wealth through homeownership.

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 make a positive impact in his community and beyond.