OUR TEAM
MATTHEW CHARLES
After spending 21 years in prison on a 35-year sentence for felony drug charges, Matthew Charles was
released in 2016 after his sentence was reduced under the Fair Sentencing Act.
Despite having nothing more than his name after leaving prison, Matthew, a born-again Christian, was
able to land a job, find an affordable place to live, buy a car, reconnect with his family, and volunteer at a
local food pantry in Nashville.
However, after successfully rebuilding his life, the Department of Justice reversed Matthew’s sentence
reduction, citing a legal error in his release. After a year and a half of freedom, he was sent back to prison
on May 14, 2018.
On January 3, 2019, Matthew became the first person to be released from incarceration under the First
Step Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on December 21, 2018. The bill includes a
provision to apply the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively, which allowed for Matthew’s release.
Upon his reentry, Matthew once again had to start over. Numerous apartment rental applications and car
loans were rejected because of his felony record. His struggles made national headlines and caught the
attention of Kim Kardashian, who offered to pay his rent for five years. Despite Ms. Kardashian’s
generosity, several rental agencies continued to reject Matthew’s applications. Nearly four months since
being released, Matthew finally secured an apartment. Shortly after, he joined forces with his friends
Naomi Tharpe and Tim Hardiman to create The Upward Mobility Foundation.
Matthew now travels the country speaking to lawmakers and advocacy groups about the dire need to
secure quality, affordable housing and transportation for returning citizens. The lack of those necessities
is the main factor 76.5% of prisoners are rearrested within five years.
As a reentry specialist, criminal justice reform advocate, and 2019 Excellence in Advocacy Award
winner, Matthew has appeared on numerous national media outlets, including
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, CBN, GODTV, NPR, Fox News, CNN, and Inside Edition.
NAOMI THARPE
Naomi Tharpe was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Tennessee in 2013. She met
Matthew Charles in 2016 and became active in criminal justice reform after learning of the numerous
challenges the formerly incarcerated face reentering society.
After Matthew was released from prison in 2019, she allowed him to sleep on her couch for nearly four
months as his apartment rental applications were repeatedly rejected due to his felony record. Seeing the
urgent need to assist returning citizens through her experiences helping Matthew, she came up with the
concept that would become The Upward Mobility Foundation.
TIM HARDIMAN
Tim Hardiman is an Emmy-winning television producer and filmmaker. He befriended Matthew Charles
and Naomi Tharpe in 2018 after learning of Matthew’s remarkable journey through the legal system.