Travis Richey and Peter Meyerhoff are two men on a mission to change the way the world sees the “F” word. Being a felon is a cross to bear for over 70 million Americans. This label and stigma can decrease their odds of ever returning to live a normal life as the barriers to entry for things such as applying for housing, accepting a job offer, improving credit and voting and hundreds of other hurdles are placed in front of an individual even though their misdeeds and wrongdoing are in the past. Travis and Peter want to turn the felon narrative upside down with the introduction of Filthy Rich Felons; a merchandise and educational curriculum company that allows the justice impacted individuals to see themselves as something greater than they ever imagined and use their past as fuel to their life of fulfillment.
Travis says ”you will never become great until you can use the pain of your past to push you from where you are, to where you know you need to be.” As one of America’s most sought after motivational speakers inside jails and prisons, Travis knows a thing or two about adversity and teaches those living behind the cement walls on how to use their perceived failures as success for their future.
Knowing the inadequacy of prison reform, Travis Richey founded AccomplishED Ventures; a tablet-based and in-person curriculum for the incarcerated and returned citizens. Accomplished Ventures offers multiple services to the inmates to enable them to be self-sufficient and equipped with the outside world’s demands. The assistance includes life skills, socializing, job skills, behavioral transformation, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial skills.
Peter Meyerhoff had the world in his palm as a child, but poor decisions with the wrong crowd led him down a path of drugs and alcohol that ultimately led to his 12-year prison sentence from the ages of 18-30 years old. Peter used the time he spent in prison to see the world through the lens of gratitude. Once released he wanted to show everyone who doubted him that a successful career, family and life is possible when you decide and put your energy behind your words. Peter is a sober life coach who is helping hundreds of youth get and stay sober using the same techniques he used to achieve his 5 years of sobriety. Peter discusses his path to prison and his road to redemption on his highly anticipated podcast Roll Call with Chappy.
The mission of Filthy Rich Felons is to use the mindset that can be built inside that prison cell to show not only the incarcerated, but the entire world, that decisions, not circumstances determine your destiny. Both of these men exemplify the idea behind second chances and hard work. Follow their journey as they work to change the world!
