Tommy Walker went from serving 25 years in federal prison—including three life sentences—to  getting married and becoming a certified paralegal, founder of Second Chance 4 R.E.A.L., and a founding executive at Alliance for New Beginnings (AFNB). While incarcerated, he taught  himself the law, successfully litigated his own case down to time served, and helped hundreds of  other incarcerated people understand and navigate their legal options.  

At AFNB, Tommy oversees legal services, technology platforms like the Power Legal Pal app,  and the day-to-day infrastructure that keeps the facility safe, compliant, and resident-focused.  Combining lived experience with more than 30 years of paralegal and advocacy work, he designs  reentry-focused legal education, supports residents with post-conviction relief efforts, and builds  tech systems that make second chances real and practical. 

His journey—from prison to purpose—is at the heart of AFNB’s mission: structured support,  real opportunity, and a true path forward.