Building a Fairer Future Through Code
As a software engineer who had to overcome the stigma of an arrest record, Makeda Davis staunchly advocates for Fair Chance hiring. Her inspiring journey underscores the transformative power of providing individuals with genuine opportunities to rebuild their lives.
After serving a 9.5-year sentence, Makeda Davis faced challenges in finding livable wage employment due to the stigma attached to her background. “When I began applying for jobs I believed being open about my background was the best approach; however, each time I disclosed my history, the outcome was denial.”
Despite initial setbacks, Makeda eventually secured a job as an HR coordinator that didn’t inquire into her background. Leaving this undisclosed resulted in a state of constant fear and anxiety about her past being discovered. She also felt stuck, underpaid and underemployed, but without other employment options.
Her journey took a turn when she received an email about a special coding program for individuals with records through Columbia University’s Justice Through Code program. Acceptance into the program allowed her to land a job as a software engineer, “free from the worry that my past conviction would deny me the opportunity I had worked hard for.”
Fair Chance hiring hasn’t just changed my career prospects, it’s fundamentally changed my life. It’s proven that I am not defined by my past and deserve to build a better future.
Today, Makeda is a Site Reliability Engineer II at Checkr, where she can be open about her background and focus on her career. “I’m learning, contributing, and proving every day that my past doesn’t define my potential. In this supportive environment, I’ve become confident, not just in my technical skills, but also in my worth as an employee and a member of the team.”
Makeda is a role model and advocate for others, sharing her experiences and paving pathways for those with arrest records to attain livable wage employment like she has. “Fair Chance hiring hasn’t just changed my career prospects, it’s fundamentally changed my life. It’s proven that I am not defined by my past and deserve to build a better future.”
