Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Book Launch, Celebration, & Fundraiser

Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Book Launch, Celebration, & Fundraiser

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 10:00 PM EST

6:00 - 7:00: Meet and Mingle Cocktail Hour

7:00 - 8:00: Welcome and Keynote (Dinner served)

8:00 - 9:00: Discussion with the Authors and Awards

9:00 - 10:00: Music, Dancing, and Games

Location: PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, Baltimore, MD

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center’s Congressional Assembly Space as we celebrate the release of P2P's groundbreaking new book: Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Pathways to Redemption, Education, and Excellence.

This evening is more than a book launch — it’s also the Annual Achievement Celebration for From Pr*son Cells to PhD (P2P) and our biggest fundraiser of the year. Together, we’ll honor the accomplishments of justice-impacted leaders, recognize our incredible P2P Scholars, and rally support for the future of our mission.

Date & Time: Friday, September 12, 2025 | 7:00–10:00 PM Cocktail Hour begins at 6:00 PM

Location: PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, Baltimore, MD

Evening Highlights:

• All-inclusive buffet dinner & open bar
• Keynote address by William Freeman
• Breaking Chains, Building Futures discussion panel
• P2P Awards Ceremony
• Live podcast recording of Breaking Chains
• Music, dancing & celebration
• Inspiring donation opportunities to directly support P2P Scholars

The Book: Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Pathways to Redemption, Education, and Excellence 1st Edition

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Chains-Building-Futures-Redemption/dp/139432104X

This is a free event to ensure accessibility to all members of our community. However, we invite and encourage donations to support the mission of P2P.

Suggested Donation Levels:

• $25 – Includes a signed copy of Breaking Chains, Building Futures (supports 1/20 of a P2P Scholar Award)
• $50 – Signed book + P2P bookmark (supports 1/10 of a Scholar Award)
• $100 – Two signed books (supports 1/5 of a Scholar Award)
• Other – Give what you can to support justice-impacted scholarsSponsorship Levels

Help us transform lives by becoming a sponsor. Every $500 provides a P2P Scholar Award to support a justice-impacted student’s educational journey.

• Bronze Sponsor – $250 Benefits: 2 signed books + recognition at the event + supports half of a P2P Scholar Award
• Silver Sponsor – $500 Benefits: 3 signed books + recognition at the event & website + supports 1 P2P Scholar Award
• Gold Sponsor – $1,000 Benefits: 4 signed books + recognition at the event, website & social media + supports 2 P2P Scholar Awards
• Platinum Sponsor – $5,000 Benefits: 5 signed books + recognition at the event, website, social media, and in press releases + supports 10 P2P Scholar Awards

Location, Location, Location!

As with all that we do at P2P, we are very thoughtful with the vendors and partners we work with. Our caterer is a formerly incarcerated local person of color that we have worked with for over 10 years. He's the best in Baltimore! And the location of the event is soon to be designated a national historic site for its national impact on the civil rights movement.

Historic Significance of P.S. 103. The Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center at P.S. 103—formerly the Henry Highland Garnet School—is where Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall began his formal education and, decades later, where Congressman Elijah E. Cummings also studied and later helped champion its transformation. This venerable 1877 school in Baltimore’s Old West Baltimore Historic District has recently been restored as a thriving community hub. In recognition of its legacy—shaped by these towering figures in civil rights and public service—Congress has introduced legislation to designate P.S. 103 as a National Historic Site.

About P2P

From Pr*son Cells to PhD (P2P) is a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of justice-impacted people through education, mentoring, and advocacy. Founded by Dr. Stanley Andrisse, a formerly incarcerated person who went on to become an endocrinologist scientist and professor, P2P empowers individuals to rewrite their narratives and pursue higher education and leadership. Since 2017, P2P has supported thousands of scholars nationwide and locally, proving that those with past convictions can thrive and make lasting contributions to their communities.

Learn more: https://www.fromprisoncellstophd.org/

About Rise Up

The Rise Up Summit is a national convening of over 150 justice-impacted leaders, scholars, advocates and allies working to dismantle barriers and expand opportunities for second chances. Co-founded by From Pr*son Cells to PhD (P2P) and partner organizations, Rise Up has grown into a powerful three-day gathering in College Park, MD, bringing together voices from across the country. This Baltimore celebration at the historic PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center serves as somewhat of a grand finale of the summit—honoring our collective journey, launching Breaking Chains, Building Futures, and celebrating the resilience of our communities.

Learn more: https://www.riseupconference.org/

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