As a justice involved individual with 29 years of lived experience in the Illinois Department of Corrections, Michael Cannon spent many years striving to transform his life into becoming the best version of himself. Contemplating solutions on how to cure the ills of society and improve the quality of life for men, women, and youth in disenfranchised communities, Michael utilized his directly impacted experiences to develop restorative programs to holistically address the societal problems and needs of the underserved. Undergoing his restorative transformation, Michael found his purpose and calling in life…uplifting fallen humanity.

As Vice President of Two Roads, Michael was instrumental in helping to establish the first-of-its-kind Restorative Justice Program in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition to helping to establish the organizational formation, programs and operational protocol of Two Roads with President Ricky Hamilton, and organizing and co-hosting workforce development job fairs and summits, Michael is the co-creator and Chairman of GOT JOBS AMERICA, a holistic workforce development initiative created and developed by Michael and Ricky.

Michael and Ricky’s identical passion and complimentary talent together evolved into a friendship and business partnership as Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of C.A.N.D.O.R. Enterprises NFP (Creating A New Destiny [through] Opportunities [and] Restoration) , GOT JOBS AMERICA, Restorative Reentry Housing Corp., and other social entrepreneurial ventures.

Michael is currently 1 of 2 Reentry Navigators for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is the public workforce system in Chicago and suburban Cook County, the largest public workforce network in the nation. As Reentry Navigator, Michael is instrumental in redesigning the Reentry system for Cook County and Suburban Cook County and implementation of the Reentry program for Cook County, “The Reentry Navigation Initiative: The Road Home Program”.

Michael is a member of the Cook County Re-entry Coordinated Council, a broad diverse group of local decision-makers and criminal justice stakeholders whose goal is to restructure Cook County’s fragmented re-entry service system. Michael’s first-hand experience in correctional settings, as well as his extensive employment and volunteer experience in the field of reentry services, has allowed him to serve as a Reentry Advisor and Content Expert in shaping recommendations for Cook County with regard to reentry services.

Michael’s leadership in workforce development and unique perspective from his own lived experience with reentry led to his current membership of the Illinois Reentry Council of the Illinois Justice Project where he Co-Chairs the Employers/Upward Mobility Work Group. The IRC brings together those who intend to create an equitable and effective process for people leaving prisons and jails to support them in their return to the community. Members are determining a long-term strategy to design an improved system and support its implementation. The Council has six workgroups that are critical to advancing the design and implementation of a strong reentry system that focus on various elements of successful reentry and a supportive reentry system.

Michael is also currently an Advisory Committee Member for the Illinois Education Justice Project’s Reentry Guide Initiative at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he has made many valuable contributions to the publication and distribution of its reentry guide, Mapping Your Future: A Guide to Successful Reentry, which is used by thousands of people who are released from Illinois correctional facilities and distributed by many IDOC counselors and social workers.

Michael is also a current member on the Governing Board for the “Campaign to End Permanent Punishments” (Fully Free Campaign) at Heartland Alliance. There are over 48,000 collateral consequences across the United States that act as barriers for people who have a criminal record. Through legislative systemic policy change to repeal or amend the laws, the Fully Free Campaign seeks to dismantle the 1,189 Illinois laws that deny or restrict access to employment, education, and housing that are barriers for life for returning residents who have paid their debt to society.

Michael is also involved in numerous other social causes as a member of the Far South Chicago Coalition (FSCC) and a member of the Far South Community Action Council (FSCAC) Chicago Public Schools, where he received the 7th annual Black History Month 2021 recognition as Community Leader for his generosity and countless hours of devoted service to the community.

Michael’s passion for the holistic uplifting of fallen humanity is reflected in his words, actions, and deeds as he strives to make the world a better place.