Alumni Spotlight - Corey Sidberry

Corey Sidberry, a graduate of PBH Affinity Circles, shares his inspiring story of transformation. After spending time in jail, he emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. He joined forces with Cure Violence, an organization committed to stopping the spread of violence through methods similar to disease control: detecting and interrupting conflicts, identifying and treating high-risk individuals, and changing social norms. The Cure Violence team, including Corey, has successfully detected and interrupted several violent conflicts, intervening and disrupting numerous retaliations within the community.

Corey is a vital and active member of the team. Drawing from his incarceration experience, he connects with the youth letting them know I was in your shoes, "I was you, so I can relate." 

Growing up, Corey often heard that there were only two outcomes for him: jail or death. Corey aims to be the positive example that young people in urban communities need, showing them how to resist peer pressure and make better choices by eliminating those 2 outcomes. By sharing his past and relating to their struggles, he helps guide them away from making the same mistakes he did.

Corey has said that the Affinity Circles has helped him focus more on himself, allowing him to open up in a safe, judgment-free environment. He highly recommends the program and has already referred several community members for the next cohort. He speaks highly of the resilience week, emphasizing his resilience and the additional skills he learned during the cohort.

Corey shared that Affinity Circles was a gratifying experience, providing a safe and supportive environment for personal growth and healing. The connections he formed with fellow participants were profound, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. 

Corey is also a dedicated father of five children.

For additional information or to learn more about Affinity Circles please send inquiries to pbhaffinitycircles@gmail.com