Instagram story viewer> @tjvulcain> Posts

T.J. Vulcain

@tjvulcain

33.6K

followers

2824

following

Christ Centered.
Queen of Reinvention.
Clarity, self-leadership & growth.
Author | Speaker | Criminal Justice Reform

POSTS STORIES REELS

When I was introduced to TJ, I was told that she is so much more than what she’s going through as a parent. After sitting down and speaking with her, I realized she’s not an “attention seeker,” but a mother fighting fiercely for her son.

I pray that this clip not only touches and encourages other mothers facing similar struggles, but most importantly, that her son sees it and feels his mother’s love and message.
Have you watched the latest episode — “TJ: A Diamond in the Rough”? It’s packed with powerful conversations, honest perspectives, and so much heart.

Sending love and light to every parent doing their best through tough times. Remember — I’m rooting for you. 💛 by @tjvulcain

It was everything I dreamed of and more! Thank you!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#bookrelease #ablackgirlinorange #viralreels #explorepage #explorepage #miracles #rebirth #bookies #memoir #nonfictionbooks #newauthor #booklovers #bookoftheday📖 #blackauthors by @tjvulcain

I heard Jim Rohn say, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”

Then I heard Oprah say, “God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can dream for yourself.”

And then I read, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” - Jeremiah 33:3

Somewhere along the way, I started taking these little nuggets seriously.

I gave myself permission to dream, to imagine something different from what was right in front of me. And somewhere in that process, my imagination became limitless.

But no one warned me that growth would come with growing pains. New levels required separation. Some relationships ended, some spaces became too small, and some people I genuinely loved couldn’t come with me.

From the bottom of my heart, I still love the people I’m no longer connected to. I learned that you can love people deeply and still outgrow the relationship. Not every ending needs a villain. Sometimes you simply grow in different directions.

I also learned that dreaming wasn’t enough.

I had to knock for doors to open. I had to kill my ego and become teachable. I had to learn the difference between what deserved my attention and what was competing for it.

“Write the vision and make it plain…”
Habakkuk 2:2

So I did.

Today, I can finally say I’m proud of her.

Proud that she gave herself permission to dream. Proud that she held on to the faith that made those dreams possible. And proud that she was always willing to do the work.

Because faith without works is dead.

Dreaming. Faith. Work.

I have become unrecognizable to myself.

And at this rate of growth, I truly can’t imagine who I’ll be this same time next year. by @tjvulcain

Ain’t nobody out here realer than the queen 😉 by @tjvulcain

There was a time when lived experience was something people were expected to hide. Nobody wanted to say they had been incarcerated because it carried shame, stigma, and judgment.

I made a different decision.

I decided to own my story, all of it, and step fully into the purpose God created for my life.

And somewhere along the way, the very experiences I was once ashamed of became recognized as leadership.

I am deeply grateful to receive the Lived Experience & Reentry Leadership Award from SCRIP. 🧡

This recognition means more to me than an award. People returning home from incarceration need more than someone telling them another life is possible.

They need to see it.

They need to see people who have returned home, rebuilt, grown, led, created, served and comfortably walk into rooms they once never imagined they could enter.

I am proud to be evidence of what is possible.

And I’m beyond grateful that my story, once a source of sigma, can now be a source of possibility for someone else.

What began as survival became service.
What carried shame became purpose.
And what was once called “lived experience” is now being recognized as leadership.

Thank you, SCRIP, for this honor. I receive it with gratitude and an even deeper commitment to the work ahead. 🧡 S/N: Special shoutout to @hausofsheanyc for absolutely slaying this custom top! 🔥 She definitely understood the assignment. 💋 by @tjvulcain

Loss prevention had them dead to rights by @tjvulcain

Giving birth in prison is one of the most difficult things anyone has to go through by @tjvulcain

Please tell me why yall choose to entertain naysayers. Yall say it’s easier said than done. I really don’t think so. You get to choose what you invest your energy in. I choose not to entertain foolishness because that’s exactly what it is. by @tjvulcain

Still in awe of my baby’s surprise prom send-off. (Even though it wasn’t really a surprise. 😂) Fun fact: He told his date in 6th grade that he was going to take her to the prom. And that he did! 😊

Another fun fact. I was working so hard to make sure this moment was perfect that I didn’t even get a picture with him. 😩

Watching him smile on his way to his 8th-grade prom reminded me just how faithful God has been to us. Looking at where we are today 😌, I can’t help but thank that man above for his covering. Yall know I was boo-hoo crying 😅

No matter how far life takes me or what I accomplish, outside of my relationship with God, my children will always be my greatest blessing and my highest priority. 🧡💙✨

A huge shoutout to Bryce’s village-especially his grandmother, who many of y’all know as Aunt K 😉 (Our story is one for another day) Thank you all for loving my baby boy, showing up for him, and helping make moments like this possible. I could never do it alone. Big shout out to my prom coach and suit designer @hausofsheanyc 🧡🧡🧡I appreciate you all🙏🏽 by @tjvulcain

I had the distinct honor of serving as the keynote for The Fortune Society’s 4th Annual Parents Day Celebration.

The event was deeply moving, highlighted by powerful remarks from Founder David Rothenberg, who shared heartfelt reflections on being raised by his grandmother and the values, character, and compassion she instilled in him.

Parents who have experienced incarceration and the families who stand beside them, are often overlooked in conversations about healing, support, and opportunity. The Fortune Society continues to be a beacon of hope, providing critical resources, advocacy, and services that help individuals and families rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

A special thank you to Tiffany, the incredible host, and to Rashida and Susan for your support and dedication in making this event so meaningful.

If you’d like to support The Fortune Society’s mission and the life-changing work they do, please visit: www.fortunesociety.org

#TheFortuneSociety #ParentsDay #SecondChances #FamilyHealing #CommunityImpact Leadership PurposeDriven by @tjvulcain

Come on over to this side of bliss. Free yourself from judgement! by @tjvulcain

The very systems that fund healing often have the power to perpetuate trauma.

They can fund programs.
They can cut programs.

They can support communities.
They can destabilize communities.

That’s why community engagement matters.

People impacted by the problem should help shape the solution.

Healing requires more than funding. It requires shared power. by @tjvulcain