EXECUTIVE TEAM

Alex Anderson, founder and director of the Reentry Theater of Harlem (RTH) launched the initiative in 2020 to empower returning citizens in crafting their own path to a better life post-incarceration. Alex, a returning citizen himself, pursued education fervently during his incarceration, earning a high school diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University. Following his release, he obtained a Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, alongside certifications in CASAC and Restorative Justice. Inspired by his own transformative journey and a profound experience at Ritual4Return in 2009, Alex channeled his love for the performing arts into creating RTH, where theater serves as a catalyst for healing and empowerment. Today, RTH stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, changing lives and providing a platform for reentry success. Alex's dedication to social justice and community empowerment continues to inspire meaningful change in the lives of those affected by incarceration.

Anette Burwell is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Her clinical background includes 25 years of extensive experience in providing therapeutic interventions in the arena of substance abuse and mental health. Anette is a senior leader in her field, providing supervision on a clinical level to the staff and overseeing the day-to-day operations at an adult men and women Homeless shelter- Safe Haven II, Comunilife, Inc.

Before joining Comunilife, Inc., Anette worked at prominent New York City recovery addiction centers and medical clinics including ARC Addicts Rehabilitation Center, Lincoln Medical Center, St. Johns Riverside Hospital, and VIP Community Services, in addition to serving as a clinical addiction counselor at the Fortune Society, the prominent reentry and social advocacy organization.

Anette is a graduate of the first R4R women’s cohort, where she became empowered to tell the story of her of incarceration in a therapeutic and healing arts environment. After experiencing a powerful transformation of change and healing while going through her rite of passage, she became inspired to join the leadership of Ritual4Return in order to help continue the fight to reduce recidivism and to build a healthy and productive community among all people returning home from prison.

Vivian D. Nixon has integrated education and the arts into every aspect of her work toward dismantling the carceral state since 1997. From supporting access to college programs, in prison to becoming a student after leaving that punitive system and reentering the community. Her work has included advocacy, professional and personal development, and artistic expression for, by and with incarcerated and reentering women since 1997. Vivian performed with R4R in a joint as a member of CCF’s Theater for Social Change and advised the founder on the development of R4R’s first women’s cohort. She is currently Acting Artistic Advisor for R4R.

Lisette has a BA in Psychology and Spanish from Drew University, and a MS in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Students with Disabilities from Mercy College.  Lisette taught for close to a decade in NYC public schools where she enjoyed having a positive impact on every student she encountered.  After her incarceration, Lisette found a new sense of purpose which was to advocate for the people she left behind.  For this reason, Lisette joined Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, a non-profit organization which provides college programming to women and men who are incarcerated in NY State.  As an Academic Coordinator, she managed the college program at a woman's correctional facility.  

Lisette joined R4R in 2019 as a participant in the first women's cohort.  The concept of using theater to heal the trauma and stigma of incarceration, as well as the thought of being part of a process that publicly welcomes returning citizens back in the community attracted her to the program.   After going through the Rite of Passage, Lisette became a leader in R4R.  As the Education Director and a Restorative Justice Practitioner, Lisette facilitates the Rite of Passage, and provides academic advising to participants seeking to obtain anything from a High School Equivalency to a graduate degree.  One of her favorite quotes by Nelson Mandela says "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world", and this is the principle that drives Lisette to help every participant be the best version of themselves.