Jenkintown resident Kimberly McGlonn founded Grant Blvd, a sustainable clothing company, to help support those impacted by the criminal justice system, writes Ayana Jones for The Philadelphia Tribune.

The business has a partnership with Books Through Bars nonprofit, which sends free books and educational materials to people in prison. Through this partnership, proceeds from product sales go towards buying the books to be donated.

McGlonn, an educator who has studied mass incarceration, regularly volunteered with the nonprofit. She decided she wanted to do more to help.

In addition to founding the company, she launched a fellowship last year that taught women who were formerly in prison for non-violent offenses how to sew.

This year, she is hoping to provide opportunities for employment to returning citizens. To achieve this, she has partnered with the state Department of Corrections to find potential talent.

Her ultimate goal is to “provide pathways to self-sufficiency to women with convictions who have a really hard time finding employment.”

An ardent activist, McGlonn is also hoping that her company can help the planet and start the conversation among African Americans about sustainable fashion.

Read more about Grant Blvd at The Philadelphia Tribune by clicking here.

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