Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Topeka K. Sam
Hi Dr. Topeka, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is one of transformation and resilience. After being released from federal prison on May 5, 2015, I dedicated myself to advocating for women who, like me, had been impacted by the criminal justice system. I founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Inc. (@TheLOHM) to empower women and girls and from there, my journey has taken me across many fields as an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, and advocate. Today, I am now the Founder and President of several organizations that address trauma, financial well-being, and emotional health. I’ve been fortunate to be invited to speak at events, serve on various boards, and develop projects that continue the fight for justice and change.
I felt compelled to act after witnessing the hardships faced by women. I felt called to make a difference. I knew firsthand what it was like to be marginalized so upon my release, I immediately got to work. My continued goal is to create safe spaces and provide resources for those impacted by incarceration, helping them to rebuild their lives. I continue daily to expand my efforts in entrepreneurship launching EPIC Financial, TKS Ventures LLC, MyFRSH and other ventures to address the financial and emotional well-being of these communities affected by trauma.
I got to where I am today through a mix of prayer, purpose, and persevering. Each step of the way, I sought to turn my challenges into opportunities. This was not just for myself but for others. My ventures, from The LOHM to MyFRSH and more, reflect my passion for addressing trauma and promoting healing. As I continued to grow my businesses, I also deepened my advocacy by speaking at events, joining boards, and using every platform available to bring attention to the issues surrounding justice-impacted individuals. Today, I’m proud to extend that mission now to television and film, creating content that will inspire change.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I believe every struggle I’ve faced has shaped me and the businesses I lead today. After being released from federal prison, yes I had to rebuild my life. It wasn’t just about regaining my freedom—it was about restoring my dignity, overcoming the stigma of incarceration, fighting through my trauma, and proving to the world and myself that my work was necessary and meaningful. I wanted to prove that my life as well as others, as a justice impacted individual, matters.
The challenges I faced were also different. I did not and still do not fit the stereotype of a person who has been incarcerated. I am a BBEW, a Beautiful Black Educated Woman. I did not come from poverty. My parents worked very hard to provide for our family so that we could live that American dream. Because of the prejudgment on both sides by those in the system and those who have never been, I am challenged in every area imaginable, but I am happy to name a few big ones:
I am challenged by the justice-impacted community I am trying to serve because they themselves don’t know how to navigate their own trauma nor do they have the tools or enough resources to. They feel I may not have been in prison long enough to relate to them because I only served 3 years. Many end up resenting me for overcoming and healing. They don’t see yet that they can too. I want to change that. I am mentally and emotionally challenged by the general population and by individuals who I have partnered with within business. They look at my success, my ventures, and my strength, and they assume I am not still fighting off the trauma I built prior to being incarcerated, the trauma acquired during incarceration, and the trauma caused after you are released back into society. I’m either treated like my story is not a big deal or they assume because of my story I’ll be easy to get over on, oftentimes forgetting that I am educated. Add being black, a woman, and being attractive on top of all that, and I’m facing stigmas on stigmas. I have to work through my trauma everyday and I CHOOSE healing. I do a lot of it through prayer.
Most importantly though, I am challenged by financial barriers and the lack of grant resources. This again, is due to me being a formerly incarcerated black woman trying to break into business and nonprofit spaces. I had limited access to traditional funding sources, and there were times when I had to be incredibly resourceful just to keep things afloat. I am often turned down now because of the SUCCESS of my programs which leads some funders to think I am not in need of funds as much as the other applicants that may have applied. Other resources assume I am going to misuse the money even though my programs show proven positive results backed by data, research, and real life testimonies.
The same way you would hope that people would applaud your achievements has also in turn been the same reasons holding me back. Every challenge has made me stronger. This experience has not only strengthened my connection with God, but it has shown me I need to bet on myself and break this broken false narrative of who I am and what I am capable of. I will keep leading through healing and I will do it with love. I simply refuse to let these financial limitations stop what I am being called to accomplish. Because of this, my focus will be to generate more of my own resources, created through more personal business to fund our programs in house.
With the launch of organizations like The Ladies of Hope Ministries (@TheLOHM), MyFRSH, and other ventures (@TopekaKSam), I’ve been able to turn my pain into purpose, using my platforms to support women and families impacted by incarceration. Each struggle, whether it is funding, staffing, or just managing multiple businesses, has been a step toward my ultimate goal of creating change and providing opportunities for others. So, while it has not been easy, I wouldn’t change a thing because these struggles have been a part of my success story. Any movement involving women and girls having to do with incarceration since 2015, has been a direct result of my work and outreach. I don’t say that to brag but to solidify what God has sent me to do. I’m ready and able.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dr. Topeka K. Sam has multiple business ventures?
Tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?
I am the founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM), TKSVentures LLC, and MyFRSH, each of which is rooted in empowering marginalized communities, particularly those impacted by incarceration. The LOHM focuses on restoring dignity to women and girls by providing reentry services, housing, and advocacy for those transitioning from prison. TKSVentures LLC is an umbrella company under which I manage multiple projects related to social justice, entrepreneurship, and media. I am even in the middle of a new project called Music Thera-P which is a unique program empowering incarcerated individuals and high school youth to find their voice through music. MyFRSH is a financial services platform dedicated to providing financial literacy and tools for underserved communities to help them build wealth and create sustainable futures.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, and what are you known for?
The LOHM is known for its transformative impact on women and families, particularly those dealing with the criminal legal system. We specialize in holistic reentry programs, addressing not just employment and housing needs, but the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing from trauma. MyFRSH focuses on breaking down financial barriers, ensuring that people from marginalized communities have access to financial education and services that help them rebuild their lives.
TKSVentures LLC allows me to tie my entrepreneurial projects together, whether it’s through media, advocacy, or business, all aimed at creating systemic change and economic empowerment.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is that every initiative I’m involved in comes from lived experience. I know firsthand the struggles of transitioning out of prison and rebuilding your life with dignity and purpose. We don’t just focus on short-term solutions; we aim to address systemic issues while providing long-term support for people to thrive. We integrate advocacy, direct services, and policy work all under one umbrella, ensuring we’re driving change at multiple levels.
What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built through The LOHM and MyFRSH. It’s not just a service provider-client relationship; we are a family. Women who have been through our programs come back as leaders, advocating for the next generation of women to ensure they have even greater opportunities. That’s a testament to the lasting impact we’re making, and that’s what I’m most proud of—creating a legacy of empowerment.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.?
I want readers to know that everything we offer is rooted in love, resilience, and the belief that people deserve second chances. Whether it’s helping women transition from incarceration to leadership roles through The LOHM or providing access to financial resources through MyFRSH, we are here to provide holistic support. Our programs are designed to help individuals not only survive but thrive and break the cycles of poverty, trauma, and incarceration.
How can we find you online?
You can learn more about The LOHM at www.thelohm.org and follow us on social media @TheLOHM. For MyFRSH, visit www.myfrsh.com and follow us @MyFRSH. You can also explore more of my work and projects through TKSVentures LLC on my personal website at www.DrTopekaKSam.com or my social media handles @TopekaKSam. Music Thera-P can be found at https://www.musicthera-p.org/.
We welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about our services or partnering with us to create change!
What does success mean to you?
Success, for me, is not defined by traditional metrics like wealth or recognition. It’s about impact—about how many lives I can touch, how much change I can create, and how well I can serve others, especially women and families impacted by the criminal justice system. Success is when I see women who were once incarcerated, like myself, find their own voice, rebuild their lives, and reclaim their dignity. It’s when my businesses, like The LOHM and MyFRSH, not only thrive but become vehicles for others to thrive as well.
Every day I wake up and see the tangible difference in the lives of people we serve, that’s success to me. It’s about leaving a legacy of hope, resilience, and empowerment. The greatest measure of success is being able to use my story and my platforms to uplift others knowing that even through adversity, we all have the power to transform our lives and the lives of those around us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DrTopekaKSam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topekaksam/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelohm
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelohm1498?si=9FlRTpSEIbTglQhk
- Other: https://www.TheLohm.org
