JT, a hip-hop duo from”City Girls,” takes the lead in empowering women in both music and communities. Her newly established non-profit program, “No Bars Reform,” aims to aid formerly incarcerated women in reintegrating into society successfully, gaining momentum.
In 2017, JT and her partner Yung Miami began their musical journey together. The following year, they decided to dive into rapping and released their first two singles. Their journey to the mainstream ascended after a surprise appearance on Drake’s popular track “In My Feelings.” Platmiun-certified singles “Twerk” and “Act Up” solidified the success of City Girls’ debut album “Girl Code” (2018).
As the City Girls career soared, JT found herself forced to serve a two-year prison sentence for credit card fraud. She was incarcerated in a Florida prison and eventually released in 2020.
In early July of 2023, JT initiated the No Bars Reform program, a non-profit endeavor to reform the lives of incarcerated women by offering crucial support in employment, therapy, housing, and a fresh start for the future.
The Sentencing Project reported a massive 525% surge in incarcerated women from 1980 (26,326) to 2021 (168,449). Following a substantial decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a notable 10% resurgence in 2021.
The statistics emphasize the urgent demand for empowering programs, such as JT’s, to aid incarcerated women in positive reintegration.
The No Bars Reform website provides a comprehensive range of assistance and programs tailored for women. The support offered includes mental health resources, substance abuse treatment, family housing, and a supportive network for networking and assistance.
Additionally, it offers engagement links to empower individuals to contribute personally to helping other women. This comprehensive approach enables women to strive for a normal life and navigate their path toward successful reintegration into civilian society. JT practices what she preaches, utilizing the resources she advocates for.
In March, she took to Twitter to share a personal update, revealing that she had recently started therapy herself. Enthusiastically embarking on this new venture, she urged her followers to explore therapy, highlighting its positive impact on personal growth.
In addition to launching the “No Bars Reform” program, JT released a powerful song titled “No Bars,” expressing her journey of overcoming incarceration and emphasizing that her past does not define her.
Thus, JT’s impact extends beyond her success in the music industry; actively and significantly, she supports black women, including herself, in conquering challenges and forging a better future.
