#BetheChange Podcast: Interview with AFTI founder, Antonio Espinosa

Just over 3 years ago retired Minnesota correctional officer Antonio Espinosa had to make a decision – the kind of decision one may only make once in a lifetime. His beloved best friend and partner had just been murdered by an inmate at the prison they both worked at.

Antonio was faced with choosing hope or hate.

He chose hope and Art.

With nothing but the drive to be the change and help others, Antonio brought in educational + cultural events to the staff and inmates of his former workplace and then a program to showcase the artwork of those incarcerated - Art from the Inside was born.

As Antonio says “I’m just one person trying to make a change in our system. I want to help transform these men and help the community heal after the killing of my friend and fellow correctional officer, Joseph Gomm.

Art just happened to be the vehicle that brought us together to have these difficult conversations.”