Tiffany “T.J.” Vulcain survived more than just a prison sentence — she endured the foster care system, the juvenile justice system, and federal incarceration. But her story isn’t about what broke her. It’s about what she built after.

Now an author, speaker, and force for transformation, T.J. serves as the Program Director of the Women’s Rising Workforce Development program at the Fortune Society, where she helps justice-impacted women rebuild their lives through healing, skill-building, and community.

T.J. was sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison for credit card fraud. Since coming home, she’s been laser-focused on changing the narrative for parents, youth, and families impacted by incarceration. She created Parents Day at the Fortune Society, an annual event bringing visibility to the challenges of parenting while incarcerated and navigating reentry.

You may have seen her featured in the Amazon Prime documentary “Preschool to Prison”, where she speaks truth to the systemic failures that push Black and Brown youth into the justice system. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, she shares the emotional and honest journey of surviving the system, and using her pain to fuel purpose.

This one’s for every mother, every fighter, every survivor. T.J.’s voice is real—and it’s necessary.