Lashonia is a Washington, D.C. native who as a youth made a series of mistakes that landed her in prison for 18.5 years for a violent crime.

To rectify her past wrongdoings, Lashonia launched a non-profit organization known as The W.I.R.E. (Women Involved in Reentry Efforts), which provides social support to women currently incarcerated, returning from incarceration and their families.