AL SASSER
Al, born in South-Central Los Angeles, became involved in gangs at a young age and was sentenced to 15 years to life at 19. While incarcerated, he earned his high school diploma and A.A. degree, began writing poetry and stories, and became a certified substance abuse counselor. After serving 31 years, Al was released and went on to work for the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. He returned to work as an Internship Supervisor in CDCR, training the next generation of state-certified SUD counselors. He remains involved with Options Recovery Services, supporting recovery and reentry efforts.
Al is the founder of OnPurpose, a reentry-focused brand that produces apparel and creates workforce opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. His first book of poetry, Tomorrow Marries No One, is currently available online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. His next book, Suitable Placement: One Man’s Resistance to Fit the Profile, will be available soon. Al has also developed a 12-week reentry curriculum to help others navigate their transition home. He was also part of 'The 50,' exploring healing and rehabilitation for prisoners through innovative programs in California prisons. He graduated from SFSU-Project Rebound in 2024. Al has performed in two FIPPP festivals and FIPPP’s Solo Sunday Salon series.
ALGIIN FORD
Algiin is a Bay Area-based writer and actor with more than 20 years of stage and screen experience. His wide-ranging theater credits include classics like Fences, as well as working as the understudy for Jitney, he has also appeared in experimental plays and his own original works. Algiin recently hopped on stage at the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe in NYC to perform an original piece. Algiin has been cast in the drama series "Queen Sugar" and "Underground," and the Academy Award-winning film, What Dreams May Come. With over 20 years as a yoga instructor and wellness professional, Algiin brings a unique physicality and performance to all of his work. Algiin performed in the 2nd FIPPP Festival, multiple Solo Sunday Salons, Tell It on Tuesday, the SF International Arts Festival, and had a Solo Showcase featuring his work. In 2024, Algiin had a run at The Marsh Berkeley and is currently the recipient of a Gerbode Special Award in the Arts Grant for his current work-in-progress, The Silent Assassin.
ANTHONY MICHAEL
Anthony is a multifaceted professional dedicated to personal growth and the empowerment of others. His journey is one of resilience and transformation—proof that change is not only possible, but powerful. Through his work in reentry, youth development, and substance use counseling, Anthony channels lived experience into purpose, creating lasting impact in the lives of those he serves.
As a performer, Anthony has shared his story at FIPPP’s Solo Sunday Salons, the Discovery Community Café, The Fromm Institute show and panel, and The Marsh. What drives him to take the stage is a personal vendetta against the stigma surrounding the formerly incarcerated—a crusade to prove that transformation is real, redemption is possible, and everybody has tremendous value—no matter their past.
ANTHONY MICHAEL JEFFERSON “AJ”
AJ is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and Executive Chef and owner of Renegade Catering. AJ is active in the Le Cordon Bleu school volunteer network and works as a peer coach for troubled teens and young adults, sharing positive pro-social choices while providing constructive outlets for personal self-realization. He also works as a volunteer at the Hands 4 Hope Foundation by sharing his craft with those who are willing to learn and empowering children and teens to take a proactive role in family food preparation and planning. A budding storyteller and actor, AJ has performed his solo piece, The Bumpy Road Less Travelled: A Single Tragedy Does Not Define a Life, at theaters in northern and southern California, including at a Marsh Rising and a Solo Showcase at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. AJ performed in the 2nd FIPPP Festival, Tell It On Tuesday, and Sunday Solo Salons. He recently joined the cast of The Tempest at Marin Shakespeare Company as the Boatswain in fall 2025. Learn more about AJ and his work at: https://thebumpyroad.net
CHRISTINA AANESTAD
Christina is a journalist, media maker, and the Morning News Anchor at KPFA radio in Berkeley, CA. Her work has also appeared internationally on Deutsche Welle, and nationally in High Times, on National Native News, NPR, and Making Contact. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, her coming-of-age struggles include foster care, homelessness, violence, abuse, addiction, and incarceration. As a media maker, she's committed to uplifting and humanizing the voices of marginalized people in everyday news cycles, and believes in the power of storytelling to heal, and in journalism as a catalyst for social change. Christina is also a hypnotherapist and enjoys exploring the esoteric side of life. She finds joy in spending time with her son, being creative, traveling, visiting forests, and relaxing in hot springs. Christina has appeared at the SF Fringe Festival, in FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salons, and is the host of the upcoming FIPPP podcast.
GERALD CYPERT
Gerald transformed his life while serving 28+ years in prison on a 59-year to life sentence. While incarcerated, he played a crucial role in helping thousands of men turn their lives around through his work as an addiction counselor and youth mentor. Gerald took on various leadership roles, earned an Addiction Treatment Counselor II certification, delivered a TEDx talk, earned 4 college degrees, and was Chairman of the Addiction Counseling Program for years. He led the Toastmasters International group, spearheaded multiple victims' advocacy groups, and initiated a college program within the prison. Since his release, Gerald has worked for a Bay Area nonprofit as a Grant Specialist, providing services and a safety net for people transitioning from prison back into the community. His dedication to service and personal transformation continues to inspire those around him. Gerald has performed in FIPPP’s Solo Sunday Salons, Tell it on Tuesday, and FIPPP’s storytelling nights at the Discover Community Café.
JUAN FRANCISCO SALINAS
Juan is a multifaceted creative, advocate, and student leader with a passion for storytelling in all forms—whether through public policy, photography, or culinary arts. Currently studying Rhetoric with a minor in Public Policy at UC Berkeley, Juan is deeply involved in community-driven initiatives, serving as a Communications Coordinator and Treasurer for Berkeley Underground Scholars. His work extends beyond campus, collaborating with United Way Bay Area as an ambassador to promote housing justice and financial literacy for marginalized communities. Juan’s diverse experiences and commitment to advocacy drive his efforts to inspire positive change and empower those around him. Juan has performed in FIPPP’s Solo Sunday Salons and at Tell It On Tuesday.
PAMELA ANN KEANE
Pamela was born in Hollywood, CA, and began performing early – at age 5, she was casting herself and friends in plays performed for their families. As a young adult, she worked at a comedy club as emcee/DJ, during which time she studied acting. Over time, she struggled with substance abuse and mental illness, ending up homeless and involved in criminal activity. She served 4 years at the Decatur Correctional Facility in IL, where she took part in the Shakespeare Corrected program. This reignited her theatrical spirit. “I absolutely loved everything about it. I was transformed. I found my voice and became comfortable in my own skin.” Pamela performs with the Returned Citizens Theater Troupe and works at Women On The Way, a transitional sober living environment, where she counsels and supports women in recovery and on parole while working on her degree. Pamela has performed in two FIPPP festivals, FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salons, and was a featured performer in "Survival, Healing, and Performance: Formerly Incarcerated Voices on Health Justice Inside & Out," part of a collaboration between FIPPP and UCSF-UC Law's Consortium on Law, Science, and Health Policy.
PHARAOH ELISHA BROOKS
Pharaoh was fortunate enough to return to society on November 13, 2023. Pharaoh is a musician, author, writer, and has done several plays with Marin Shakespeare. Pharaoh likes to add music and poetry to his storytelling. He is the Director for the Alcohol & Drug Treatment Project at Dream Center Transitional Home and is enthused about the opportunity to live his amends by helping his Community. Pharaoh has performed at FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salon, Tell It On Tuesday, and with FIPPP at the Discover Community Cafe.
RANDY CARTER
“The personal motto that I live by is to live my life to the fullest every day and, also, to remain mindful that I am not a prisoner of my past. It was a lesson and not a life sentence. I believe in redemption.”
Randy is a Peer Counselor in San Francisco, working with populations that suffer from homelessness, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Randy is a producer of and featured in The 50, a feature-length documentary by Brenton Gieser that follows the lived experiences of 50 incarcerated men serving life or long-term sentences in California, and their journeys to become certified drug and alcohol counselors in a first-of-its-kind program at Solano State Prison. Learn more about The 50 at: www.the50film.com. Randy has performed in the 2nd FIPPP Festival and FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salons, and on stage at Discover Community Cafe. Randy is available for public speaking engagements.
SCOTT SCHELL
Scott was born in Nantucket, MA. He got involved in drug use at a young age. In 1997, he moved to San Francisco, got even deeper in his addiction, and was arrested in 1998 for Grand Theft. He was housed in the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department's Resolve to Stop the Violence Project, or RSVP. It was there that his journey of recovery and redemption began. He was paroled, went back into treatment, and became an intern with the Sheriff’s Dept. He trained as a violence intervention and prevention facilitator and is now the RSVP Program Manager and the Site Manager at the Sheriff’s Department's Post Release Facility. He has a unique lived experience, and his dedication to this very important work exemplifies his investment in the betterment of our communities. He believes shedding light on the stories of formerly incarcerated individuals is a must. Scott has performed at Sunset Solos and Tell It on Tuesday and appeared in the 2nd FIPPP Festival and the FIPPP Redux at Berkeley Rep, as well as FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salons.
THOMAS WYNN
Thomas will be taking part in his first FIPPP Festival in January 2026. Full bio coming soon!
TONY CYPRIEN
Tony was born and raised in Watts, South Central Los Angeles, by his mother, grandmother, and neighborhood gang members. He matriculated through Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls and county camps, the California Youth Authority, and ultimately state prison. After spending 26 years and eight days incarcerated, he was released 14 years ago and lived to tell about it.
Released in 2011, he discovered improv in 2012, and a world opened up to him in performance art. To hone his craft, he took improv classes at Berkeley Repertory School of Theater from Rebecca Stockley and a class at the American Conservatory Theater. The first time out on stage, he won a MOTH StorySlam, and from there it was the MOTH GrandSlam, two MOTH Mainstage Performances directed by Jenifer Hixson, and two MOTH Radio broadcasts on NPR.
TYLON SIZEMORE
Tylon is a formerly incarcerated woman from the Bay Area and a survivor of both domestic violence and the California Correctional Prison system. Driven by a belief in paying it forward, Tylon actively participates in community healing processes. She currently serves as an Intensive Case Manager for a Reentry program at Community Works located in the Bay Area, where she assists participants in goal development, life skill enhancement, addressing health and mental health needs, and fostering social and community relations. In her personal life, Tylon has been performing stand-up comedy for 13 years. AKA Tylon “T Boogie” Sizemore lights up the stage with a powerful mixture of humor, heart, and realness that connects with audiences everywhere. She is a fun foodie and loves food from all cultures. She can also be seen regularly on the local news "Like it or Not" segment on KTVU, based in Oakland.
Tylon has performed in the 2nd FIPPP festival, the FIPPP Redux at Berkeley Rep, multiple FIPPP's Solo Sunday Salons, and was a featured performer in "Survival, Healing, and Performance: Formerly Incarcerated Voices on Health Justice Inside & Out," part of a collaboration between FIPPP and UCSF-UC Law's Consortium on Law, Science, and Health Policy.