Miyesha Bates, a Milwaukee native, is a dedicated leader in community empowerment and reentry advocacy. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Allen University, a master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University, and certifications in Project Management and Global Career Development Facilitation.

Miyesha serves as a Career Readiness Facilitator and Support Specialist at Persevere, helping incarcerated individuals prepare for reintegration. She is also the CEO of 53205, an organization focused on reducing infant mortality, supporting family reunification, and advancing reentry through education and advocacy.

She chairs the board of Beauty Marks for Girls, supports women in leadership, and is a member of Women in Construction and Women in Asphalt. Miyesha also serves on the Columbia Reentry Council and the advisory board for the Willow Study at the University of Washington.

Her work is grounded in the belief: “When you take care of your community, they take care of you.”