Meet The Team

Eddie Ellis, was wrongfully convicted and served 25 years in prison for an offense he did not commit. During his time in prison, he obtained a Master's degree in theology from The New York Theological Seminary. and was a founding member of the Green Haven "Think Tank Group” which authored the groundbreaking “Non-Traditional Approach To Social and Criminal Justice Reform”, also known as the “Seven Neighborhood Study”.

Eddie's activism in prison included advocating for the human rights of people involved in the criminal legal system, organizing legislative conferences, and serving as an educator and mentor to hundreds of incarcerated people.  However, the crown jewel of his achievement was creating an innovative, leadership development and reentry program known as the “Resurrection Study Group” that educates, empowers, and prepares incarcerated people to become productive citizens and agents of change in their communities upon release from prison.  

After his release from prison, Eddie traveled around the world and continued to be a voice for human justice, bringing attention to the flaws in the criminal legal system and its devastating impact on Black, Latino, and poor communities. He never stopped working to reform the policies and practices of the criminal legal system. and empowering people with the wherewithal to effect change within their lives and communities.  

Eddie Ellis was a scholar, writer, policy analyst, justice advocate, statesman, visionary, and true humanitarian. In 2014, Eddie Ellis was laid to rest, yet his ideas, vision, mission, memory and legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of many and continue to inspire us today.  

Cush is a founding member of the Green Haven C.F. Resurrection Study Group and has been involved with justice work since 1989. Under Eddie Ellis's mentorship, Cush became a proponent of the "Non-Traditional Approach to Social and Criminal Justice Reform", human justice and human rights advocate for incarcerated people, a mentor, a tutor, and a role model to countless incarcerated people. 

Cush has an A.A.S degree in Business Administration from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a B.S. degree in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz, and an MBA degree from Bethel University in Nashville, TN.

Cush served as a Community Programs Aide for the Clarksville Montgomery County Community Action Agency, in Clarksville, TN. He mentored young people as a volunteer Career Development Facilitator for LEAP Organization's youth development program in Clarksville, TN. He has conducted spiritual studies sessions with groups of men on death row at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, TN, and provided support recovery services to men transitioning from incarceration and substance abuse disorder at Safe Harbor of Clarksville, TN.

In 2021, Cush incorporated the Resurrection Study Group, Inc., (RSGINC) as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the harms of mass incarceration on individuals, families and communities.

Angel Rivera, a founding member of the Green Haven Concencia Study Group (The Non-Traditional Approach to Criminal and Social Justice), served 22 years in New York State prison.  During his prison journey, he commenced his journey without a High School Diploma and acquired a bachelor’s degree from Marist College (last graduating class of 1995) and a master’s degree in Professional Studies from the New York Theological Seminary in 1998.  He implemented the Concencia Study Group in various facilities (Sing-Sing Correctional Facility, Shawangunk Correctional Facility, Woodbourne Correctional Facility, and Otisville Correctional Facility) with a clear focus on law, parole policy, advocacy, education, and spiritual empowerment.  
He worked in the Pre-Release Center for over 15 years which later became Transitional Services. He coordinated the Helping Hands Project in prison for men with HIV/AIDS.  He was President of the Hispanic Organization in Woodbourne Correctional Facility, and an Adjunct Professor at the New York Theological Seminary.  He facilitated Aggression Replacement Treatment (ART) and actively engaged in numerous organizational activities in coordinating events, fundraising, donations, and developing skillsets for students seeking to enhance more value in their lives. 
Upon release, Angel Rivera continued his calling by engaging in a self-development program with Strive and immediately commenced employment at Betances Health Center Pre-Post HIV testing and counseling; Harlem United (COBRA Case Manager); Community Health Action of Staten Island (Case Manager & Health Home); Brightpoint Health (Business Development); ACACIA Housing Network (MICA Social Worker & Director of Social Services).  He continued to stay proactive by engaging in radio-talk shows (WBAI with Eddie Ellis and Robert Simmons and other great men) and academic excellence.  He graduated from the Silberman School of Social Work (Hunter College) in 2017, and thereafter acquired his Licensure for Social Work (LMSW).