Kelton Packard O'Connor (he/him)

Kelton O’Connor is an incarcerated person who writes about the modern day asylum, the friends he has made in these places, and a range of public policy issues. He is a co-founder of Earth Equity, a food policy organizer, and the creator of Earth Equity's Diabetes Justice Workshop curriculum – a course designed to help incarcerated people explore links between healing foods and healing the planet. He is also the author of the Right 2 Heal (R2H) Strategy, a food justice proposal he was invited to submit as part of an advisory report to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s current prison reform project.  

Kelton is generating scholarship related to the role of meaningful work in anti-recidivism. His activism focuses on systems that heal both people and ecology. He is working to connect incarcerated people and people in reentry to career paths that increase opportunity for self actualization, community formation, and discovery of life mission. Presently this includes work in the area of ocean stewardship and public advocacy. Kelton is particularly passionate about programmatic design and the advancement of Food Is Medicine systems.

To learn more about his views on this subject, please read the R2H Strategy

Demond Lewis (he/him)

Advocacy is a one bone capone. When you advocate for yourself, you advocate for people like yourself. 

I’m from Perris, California, been down 21 years, got 109 years for shooting someone in the leg. Most of my ill deeds were products of ignorance. Juvie was my high school. Instead of an education and pro-social habits, I learned anti-social street tactics and violence. It is only now, at the age of 50 that I have caught up and learned how to get along in normal, pro-social ways. Now that I know more about myself, I’m ready to live for my community. Ironically, the system that prepared me to live a new life also promised to never give me a shot at that new life. 

I joined up with Earth Equity because this group was made for folks like me. Earth Equity gives us a chance to share our thoughts with the world and make a difference.  

More About Me 

I’m a former gang member, a proud father of three, and a grandfather of four.  

My hero is my son. In his 28 years of life without me being present he has managed to stay out of prison, be a father to his children, and break the cycle of violence I brought him into.  

My favorite food is turkey lasagna. My favorite book is Tales from the Bricks by Maurice Kelly – a brother from Imperial Courts (a housing project in Watts) who I did time with in Centinela. My favorite movie is “Dances with Wolves”. 

In my spare time I like to use conversation to draw out people’s unique perspectives.

Direct Contact: Demond Lewis - CDCR# J68030  -  Cell 3-W-71

Sergio Argueta Jr (he/him)

I joined Earth Equity because I want to be an ocean steward. I fell in love with the ocean by watching shows on PBS for the last 12 years of my prison sentence. We don’t have internet in here, so PBS is actually one of the better ways to get current information and continue to learn. Nature shows and NOVA are my favorites so I know how important it is for us to heal and protect our kelp forests.

I’m a 38-year-old from Red Bluff, California. I’m serving a life sentence for an assault and battery I committed in 2011. Shortly after coming to prison in 2013, I got clean and sober. In 2021, I officially cut all ties to my former gang life. If I get a second chance at freedom I will continue my education and pursue a career restoring kelp forests and working with ocean wildlife. I am an asset to the cause of ocean stewardship because I’m good at networking with other people and organizations, and this is a mission that just needs to get done. Maybe most importantly, I bring passion and dedication. This is going to be a lifelong fight so we have to be committed. My commitment is to keep getting good grades and become a marine biologist.  

More about me

I love heavy metal and rock music. My favorite bands are Korn, Metallica, and Slipknot, but to relax I listen to Taylor Swift. I am passionate about my family, animals, and the ocean.

Contact me via email: Earth Equity Inside

Robert Kuikahi (he/him)

I am a 47-year old Hawaiian-Mexican from Southern California who is incarcerated for a gang-related shooting I committed in 1996.

People ask about the moment my life changed, but sometimes it’s not a single moment. Sometimes it’s just a slow painful process called growing up. For me it was the weight of my bad deeds that wore me down gradually over years.

I’ve spent 13 years making amends now and I joined Earth Equity because I want to participate in a culture that is doing something for the world. Exploring new perspectives is something I’m committed to, and through Earth Equity I can help others do the same.

Strengths that I bring to the table: creativity, humor, and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone. 

More About Me

My passions are art and reading. For me art is a positive way to vent and a way to connect with other minds. When someone sees your art, and you see that they understand it that is a great reward.

I started out drawing with pencil, ink, and paint. Then a friend asked me to turn one of my paintings into a doll. That’s how I got into 3D art and, against all odds, became an artisan doll maker. My favorite genre of literature: everything.

Direct Contact: Robert Kuikahi - CDCR# K64520  -  Cell 5-W-22

Trevor Jackson (he/him)

My dream is to fix our education system. We have to teach environmental justice to all children. And let’s put more love into this. Love is how we stop violent crime one child at a time. But since the system won’t get fixed anytime soon, we got some clean up to do. For now I’ll just do what I can to teach these unloved bastards as they pile through the prison gates… those that are willing.

More About Me

I am a 42 year old native of Mendocino. I am proud to say that my hometown still has some wooden sidewalks and some locals still ride their horses to the bar. I have been in and out of lockup since I was 12. If it was not for the love of my daughter I wouldn’t have had the courage to learn how to spell and write so late in life. I would not have done the moral inventory that changed my life.

I’m an avid outdoorsman and stunt driver.

Direct Contact: Trevor Michael Jackson CDCR# BE9877  -  Cell 2-W-32

Anthony Gomez (he/him)

I’m a 27-year old from Madera, California, who has been incarcerated since I was 18 due to my involvement in a drive by shooting. Upon witnessing the shooting, even prior to being arrested, I knew I was done with gang life and violence of any kind.

When I changed my life I discovered my passion for giving back to others. I’m involved in advocacy and nonprofit work so I can help other young men escape the mentality I was once trapped in. I want to help others find the self-worth and purpose I have found.

Some strengths I bring to Earth Equity are a receptive communications style, a commitment to building trust, and experience working in group settings with people from diverse backgrounds.

More About Me

I am now serving a 21-year sentence. When I got to prison I signed up for youth offender programs, youth mentorship programs, and everything else they let me sign up for. I am currently a student of Mt Tamalpais College and a ProjectManager for Forward This – an incarcerated film crew that works to change narratives related to incarceration. I am proud to say that through this work I have found my calling as a film maker and I am now studying cinematography and journalism.

I am a confident advocate and organizer but in my private life I am shy and introverted. In my spare time I work out. To relax I listen to emo-style rock. I don’t believe in heroes but I admire anyone who utilizes their success to uplift others.

Direct Contact: Anthony Gomez - CDCR# BB4536  -  Cell 5-W-29

Kevin Bruce (he/him)

In-Reach Coordinator

I'm a writer, musician, artist, advocate,  and ally to all. In 2018 (after 35 years inside) I paroled to San Francisco and began working for a fair chance background check company. Two weeks later, I won the Explorer In Residence grant from the California Clean Energy Fund. Through these endeavors, I was able to connect with visionaries empowering social and alternative justice approaches.

I currently collaborate with EE Inside (Earth Equity's Incarcerated Advisory Board) to ensure that the leadership and needs of incarcerated people are central to our work. I also work with nonprofit groups like the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, Urban Alchemy, United Playaz, Initiate Justice, Code Tenderloin, District Commons, The Last Mile, and many more. Sometimes, I go back into prisons to co-teach an immersive course on Entrepreneurship. Lastly, I co-founded the Second Life Project's first community house, Sigil, which houses and supports post-transition long term offenders and young professionals. 

In Prison, my most prized accomplishment was the 22 years I studied and practiced law, in pro per, as a ‘Jailhouse’ lawyer. The most noted case I brought was against Folsom State Prison and their attempt to ban literature to justify their confiscation of Dungeons and Dragons books. This published case, (supported by DnD creator, e. Gary Gygax’s testimony) enriched the community inside.