Meet Andre Apparicio | Change Agent, Credible Messenger, Re-entry Specialist, Author, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andre Apparicio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andre, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the most important factor behind my success are people. I’ve always been big on making an impact in someones life. It’s the only currency that is unlimited for both parties, it gives support and positive energy. Everything I do is people powered. You take care of the people they will certainly take care of you im a a testament to that. Make your brand about the people and not yourself and you will always be successful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Dedicated to the Process LLC came from just wanting to be in the business of helping people and has spiraled into numerous workshops on various topics and most recently the birth of my first book My Emancipation from Incarceration Reform Relearn Re-entry. These workshops, trainings and the book all are geared towards helping others help the population most dear to me. Being formerly incarcerated and seeing the impact incarceration has on my community as a whole, has me fighting every single day to help people avoid that. Which has also turned into me training people to help others avoid that as well. It was a road getting to this point, but I had a plan, then it failed, I had another that failed as well. But through those losses came lessons that have me in the position I am today both Business and personal. Being formerly incarcerated, justice impacted, came in stages. My brand is working to help others avoid those stages all together. My Mentor Prince Mapp always says when he’s out speaking to the you that “You don’t have to be like me, to be like me” I want to spread the word that you can have an even more impactful story with more time on the street then in prisons. Better decisions, Better Outcomes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots in the city is Queens N.Y. Come on down to the World’s Borough =) . I would definitely suggest where im from for one because im bias lol and also because its a great area to learn about culture, strength and resilience. Come to Jamaica Queens where we have a great shopping mall on Jamaica avenue, always free entertainment, or at max a $1 =). I’d also suggest shopping more local at some of our favorite black owned businesses and venues. There’s always an amazing pop up shop at Linden Studios 17 or space 224 on linden boulevard, you can have a healthy drink at Di juice on Merrick boulevard. You going to need that to keep the energy up because if you come on a weekend you can stop by the Sovereign Market at the Laurelton Lirr station where you can shop from different black owned vendors generally from the community. If you have never had rolled ice cream OnlyRareNYC is the place to go I love freshly rolled ice cream topped basically anyway you would like. Top it off with a Cupcake form Fancy Confectionz and believe me you’ll be ok. I mean I could go on and on but why? Queens is the place to be, South East Queens is the placed to see. I’ll give yall a Yerr one time for the culture lol YERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR =)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes I want to shout out my whole entire FAMILY!!! I’m not going into specifics but my family far and wide. My love Bree, by the time this drops our bundles of joy should be here and we will be one big happy loving family. All those that took to time to listen and not project when I was released, and my whole entire community. Community over Competition always.

Website: andreapparicio.com

Instagram: communityovercompetition_

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/andreapparicio

Twitter: its_a_Process_

Facebook: Andre Apparicio