a day ago
Former inmate, now North Texas businesswoman, leads campaign to help support incarcerated women
Katrina Harris partners with her husband, Derrick, inside their Duncanville restaurant, Smoky D'z, providing an array of barbecue platters for daily customers.
But twice a month, Harris serves a full course from a very menu.
"I'm here to create a movement, an impact, and I'm here to create change," said Harris.
The change includes hugs and high-fives with Texas female prisoners.
Harris, a former inmate herself, leads a curriculum-based campaign called "Survive".
She works to help female inmates prepare for life outside of prison and supports those who face punishment, guilt and anger.
It's the same path Harris also faced after years of domestic abuse and assaults. She served two years in prison 28 years ago for failing to cooperate with authorities.
"There is life after incarceration, but it starts in your mind. That was once me, and people gave up on me, so I'm here to let them know your past does not define your future," said Harris.
She travels to Gatesville prison two to three times a month. She also works to assist female parolees with job opportunities in the DFW area.
