“Compton College gave me an opportunity to improve my life circumstances when so many others wouldn’t,” said Terrance Stewart, a 2010 graduate of Compton College. Stewart credits his experiences at Compton College for restoring his self-esteem, building his leadership abilities, and giving him a strong foundation upon which to pursue higher degrees.
“There is something special about Compton College and the people who work there,” Stewart explains. “Faculty members and administrators recognized my potential and always encouraged me to do more. They recommended I join student government; no one had ever asked me to be something important.” To aid in his success at community college, he took advantage of every resource available to him such as financial aid, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, academic counseling, tutoring, the student worker program, TRIO, the Transfer Center, and Upward Bound.
The strong foundation at Compton College laid the path for Stewart to transfer and graduate cum laude from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies, then earning a master’s degree in higher education administration. During the UC Riverside 2013 commencement ceremony, Stewart was honored with the Marguleas/Weiman Humanitarian Award (one of many awards he’s received), which is presented to a graduating student who is recognized as a “true volunteer and role model.” He was also named 2011-2012 Student Organization President of the Year for his leadership and service to the UC Riverside Student Disability Union and the following year the Student Disability Union was named Organization of the Year.
Since 2019, Terrance Stewart has worked at the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASI) in three positions with increasing responsibility. Currently, Stewart is a Time Done national training director for the Time Done Project at the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a national organization dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and the advancement of racial and economic justice. Stewart works with local Time Done chapters across the country to develop and implement needed training programs to help remove barriers to success for those rebuilding their lives after past convictions. He has also led teams of individuals who advocate for criminal justice reform in state governments, speaking with elected officials as agents of change. He trains groups to use this advocacy framework to meet with elected officials.
Time Done is an organization that is more than 250,000 strong, working together to build resilient families, support systems, and communities by organizing to end post-conviction poverty. Before his recent promotion, Stewart worked as the Time Done membership and engagement manager where he collaborated with national staff, program members, and partners to develop and expand the Time Done member base, drive online engagement, organize events and webinars, and provide leadership-enhancing trainings and resources. His overall involvement with the Alliance for Safety and Justice and Time Done originally began at its founding in 2014.
Stewart works tirelessly to help remove obstacles to redemption for individuals with past convictions and has a strong desire to create a more equitable and inclusive society. Colleague and University of Redlands Professor of Race and Ethnic Studies Jennifer Tilton states, “His work as an advocate for the millions of Californians living with criminal convictions has inspired and encouraged me to continue to invest in building opportunities so people coming home from incarceration can rebuild their lives as productive citizens in our communities.”
Stewart has more than 10 years of experience in advocacy and policy reform related to the justice system. He continues to play a pivotal role in helping to advance transformative policies, including AB 1076, AB 1008, and Propositions 47 and 57. His policy development work includes building coalitions in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, as well as statewide and nationally, to pass transformational policies such as SB 731, and to advocate for fair housing policies and practices. He is recognized for his consistent work advocating for policy reform, which reflects his exceptional leadership and dedication to making a difference. He is an exemplary model for those impacted by the justice system, showing what transformation fueled by focus and dedication can achieve.
As a result of Stewart’s advocacy contributions, in just under two years, the Department of Justice has expunged nearly 12 million older criminal records due to the passage of AB 1076 in 2019. The expunged records included 600,000 older records of arrests that never resulted in charges being filed and 150,000 eligible older conviction records. In addition, under SB 731, the law was amended to move the retroactive date from 2005 to 1973 for eligible records expungement.
He dedicates much of his time to, empowering communities and promoting social justice. His work extends beyond his professional roles. He is a founding member of the Riverside All of Us or None and the Underground Scholars Initiative Board – an initiative which has assisted over 545 system-impacted students achieve success at University of California campuses, and he was a former community organizer with Inland Congregations United for Change.
His dedication to youth and at-risk youth is evident in his passion for education and his founding of a youth organization called “Can’t Can’t” which teaches young students and adolescents the importance of positive thoughts and actions as they navigate family and life challenges. Often accepting invitations as a motivational speaker and guest lecturer, Stewart is known for his natural ability to inspire and engage both children and adults effectively. He is a model of how to effectively balance commitment to the community with his commitment to being the best husband and father possible.
“I like to help others increase their self-esteem,” said Stewart. “I want them to know they can change and make a difference in society, their lives have agency, and that anyone can be what they seek to be with hard work and dedication.”
While he was a student at Compton College, Stewart served as Associated Student Body vice president and began his leadership and future advocacy journey. As a member of student government, he participated in several programs and advocacy activities such as Rock the Vote, the Earth Day recycling program, fundraisers for student activities, presented as the student government representative at Board of Trustees meetings, and helped at the Student Resource Center (for students with physical and mental disabilities).
Since his time at Compton College, Stewart has displayed remarkable personal and professional growth. He has advanced from being a dedicated student leader to becoming an effective advocate, to becoming a national leader in developing leadership in others.
All of Stewart’s higher education and collective professional and advocacy experience now lead to his next goal of achieving his dream of becoming a university professor. “Today, I am a dedicated father, a committed community advocate, and a man determined to make a positive and lasting impact,” said Stewart.
