I am Sterling Braden, Founder and CEO of Friend A Felon. I am a father, software engineer, entrepreneur, and convicted felon. I came up with Friend A Felon in 2017 with selfish intentions to find ways to get my case expunged, but helping people get through tough times quickly became one of my passions.

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For the past 11 years, I have been my own "End User" of Friend A Felon. I built this platform because necessity is the mother of all inventions. As a convicted felon, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find employment and housing after serving time in jail. The system is not designed to help us get back on our feet, and that's where Friend A Felon comes in.

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I grew up on the East side of Cleveland, Ohio, and joined a gang at the age of 14 to fit in. I was convicted of a second-degree felony at the age of 18, 10 seconds changed my life forever. I made it to college, but due to my attitude and politics, it didn't work out. I turned to selling drugs and robbing drug dealers, feeling like a felon and thinking I had to act like one.

 

As the Founder and CEO of Friend A Felon, my ultimate goal is to break down the barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from living fulfilling lives. I want to help others avoid the mistakes I made and provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. It's not an easy journey, but it's one that I am committed to for the rest of my life.

 

I am not a role model, influencer, or reentry expert. I'm just a guy who has gone through the system and wants to make a difference.