Drayton Nabers, Jr. Co-Founder
Drayton is a graduate of Princeton University, earned his law degree from Yale University in 1965. Before returning to Birmingham to practice, he was a law clerk at Justice Hugo Black on the U.S. Supreme Court. Nabers has written two books on ethics and leadership: "The Case for Character" and "The Hidden Key to Happiness".
Nabers became CEO of Birmingham-based Protective Life Corp. in 1992. He retired as chairman of the board in 2002. Drayton is former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He was appointed to the court in 2003 by Governor Bob Riley.
Nabers is board chair for Cornerstone School of Alabama and a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. He previously served as board chair for United Way of Central Alabama and Leadership Birmingham. He has been inducted into both the Alabama and Birmingham Business Halls of Fame. In 2011, he received the Birmingham Bar Association’s L. Burton Barnes Public Service Award.
Nearly 35 years ago Drayton read a book called “Born Again”, written by the late Charles Colson. Which inspires him to reach those that have been impacted by crime.
"God can use failure to do a work in us and often that is his most important work", Nabers said"
He teaches a class at in Alabama Prison every Friday morning on “Key to Happiness”. He is the co-founder of Offender Alumni Association movement.
OUR TEAM
In 2014 Deborah Daniels and former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Drayton Nabers Jr. cofounded the Offender Alumni Association (OAA) in Birmingham, Alabama.
Two years later, OAA became an official 501(c)3 non-profit.
Board of Directors
Stacy Moak | President| UAB Professor
Ralph Hendrix | Programming Committee | UAB Community Corrections
Alford Jerome Dees, II, Esq. | Member | J.D. Walker & Associates
Dr. Mark Wilson | Member | Physician
Adlai Trone | Member | Entrepreneur
STAFF
Deborah Daniels, Executive Director & Cofounder
Deborah Daniels is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization Offender Alumni Association (OAA) a 501(c)(3) that was founded in 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama and expanded to Atlanta, Georgia in 2018. significant difference in the lives of those impacted by the justice system. After her release from prison, she was the volunteer Angel Tree coordinator in Alabama. Then in 2000 she accepted a position as Field Director of Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministries in Alabama and was promoted to Regional Director of the Southeast Region in 2010. This organization is still the world’s largest prison ministry. After 19 years of service, Deborah transitioned on December 1, 2019 to serve as the Executive Director for the Offender Alumni Association. Her mission “is to mobilize former offenders (aka Returning Citizens) and their families to actively engage in reducing crime and violence in order to restore urban communities.” Deborah has successfully led the agency in its growth from a $30,000 budget to a multi-million-dollar agency. She was recognized by Tyler Perry in 2020 at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office ceremony “The Heroes Behind the Masks.” Deborah was also recognized a key leader in reentry strategy by the U.S. Attorney’s office in a national ceremony in 2019.
Two other major accomplishments at Prison Fellowship Ministries include spearheading the Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents. This program received National recognition from. Then through an agreement in 2009 with the Alabama Department of Corrections, she led the development of “Communities Inside Prison Dorms.” This model is still operational and has been replicated by other community/faith-based organizations.
Dena Dickerson, Chief Operating Officer
Dena is a positive example of successfulness after incarceration. Previously serving as a case manager for a men’s homeless shelter, she acquired greater insight for the need of assistance for former offenders. She believes that others, through their lived experiences, are uniquely purposed to provide support, assistance and encouragement to newly released offenders in becoming successful and productive citizens.
Dena’s analogy of the role of OAA helping former offenders: It’s almost like coming to the edge of the forest and the person wants to come to the other side because everything is so beautiful...and they just can’t make that step...and you just reach your hand in and say “I got you.”
Toni Barnett, Administrative Director
Toni joined OAA in September 2023 and brings strong corporate experience to the nonprofit world. She has led many projects and teams, worked with vendors, and managed budgets to make sure goals are met on time and at a high standard. Toni also brings personal insight into the challenges people face when dealing with complex systems and major life changes. This helps her support others with understanding, respect, and practical guidance. She believes that building real, trusting relationships is essential for helping people return to their communities and succeed.
Outside of work, Toni stays active in her community as a mentor, instructor, workshop leader, curriculum developer, and frequent presenter at local events. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and watching movies.
Toni holds a Master of Business Administration and served 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves.
Julius Campbell, Program Director Savannah, Georgia
Julius Campbell is one of the newest members to the Deep team. As a Life Navigator, his lived experience is a welcomed piece to this diverse village. Julius is a passionate servant- leader, motivational speaker, and mentor who brings with him a host of relevant and relational skill sets that will aid in our commitment to encourage, educate, and empower our youth. He is a Minister, Founder Executive Director of OAA Savannah, and a TEDTalk speaker.
Listen to Julius’ TEDxDecatur Talk, “The People vs Recidivism: Helping Returning Citizens Succeed.”
Out of prison, into the fire, back to prison. It doesn't have to be that way. Julius Campbell, who spent over a quarter of a century in the Georgia prison system before his recent release, shares invaluable insights into the causes of recidivism and what we the people -- as individuals and as communities -- can do about it. After 26 years of incarceration, Julius has returned home a better rather than bitter man. His transformation while in the criminal justice system was driven by his earnest desire for rehabilitation and his faith. During his time in prison he pursued higher education, graduating from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry. In addition, he has added a host of necessary skill sets to his tool belt (i.e., mentoring, compassionate coaching, and motivational speaking). Since his release he has continued in his passion of encouraging, educating, and empowering others to finish strong.
LaCrecia Day, Program Director Birmingham, Alabama
LaCrecia Day serves as the Programs Director at the Offender Alumni Association (OAA), where she leads program strategy, staff development, and service delivery with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, client-centered care. Her primary goal is to ensure that all case managers are equipped, supported, and confident in serving diverse populations while helping clients reach their full potential.
Prior to joining OAA, LaCrecia held leadership roles in both program management and finance, including Financial Director at IMPACT Family Counseling and Programs Director for the UTurn and PROVE Programs, initiatives she helped design and launch to address joblessness in single-parent households. Across her career, she has successfully secured several million dollars in Federal, State, and Foundation grant funding and has overseen program development, fiscal management, and compliance.
LaCrecia’s hands-on experience spans multiple service areas. She has served as a Case Manager in mentoring programs, an instructor in Family Strengthening initiatives, and a leader in alternative sentencing programs focused on conflict resolution, communication, and resisting peer pressure for teens and their families. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Financial and Development Officer, managing agency accounting functions while leading grant writing and fundraising efforts.
In 2020, LaCrecia faced a deeply personal challenge when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the age of 47. Despite an aggressive and complicated treatment journey, she leaned on faith, reflection, and resilience. This experience strengthened her purpose and deepened her commitment to supporting others through hardship, healing, and transformation.
Though trained in business and finance, LaCrecia has always been driven by service. For more than 18 years, she volunteered with Angel Tree through Prison Fellowship Ministries, serving as the Alabama Statewide Coordinator for Christmas outreach efforts supporting children of incarcerated parents.
LaCrecia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business with a concentration in Finance. Her leadership blends operational excellence, compassion, and lived experience—qualities that continue to shape OAA’s mission to prevent violence, promote healing, and strengthen communities.
Angela Wright, Program Director Atlanta, GA
Angela C. Wright is a dedicated youth advocate and Program Manager for OAA, where she leads transformative programs that create pathways of hope for at-risk youth across Georgia. Drawing from her own lived experience, Angela uses authenticity, compassion, and accountability to reach young people who are often overlooked by traditional systems of support. In her role at OAA, Angela has overseen and implemented initiatives such as the Supporting Youth Initiative, SOLID, Heroes in the Hood, the Credible Messenger Corps, and Project Safe Neighborhood—a 10-week summer program designed to keep youth off the streets and engaged in positive, purpose-driven activities. Through these efforts, she develops and coordinates mentorship, life-skills training, and violence prevention strategies that empower youth to make sound decisions and lead productive lives.
As a Credible Messenger, Angela goes beyond program management—she’s in the field, entering youth detention centers and facilities to deliver her life-skills and empowerment curriculum to young women. Her approach combines trauma-informed care with faith-based principles, helping young women rediscover their worth and rewrite their stories. A proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Angela has been recognized nationally for her leadership and service, earning both the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and an
Honorary Doctorate Degree. Her unwavering mission is to equip youth with tools to transform pain into purpose—proving that with guidance, grace, and grit, change is always possible.