From Vision to Beauty: Our Story

        Christie Luther         

Founder | Executive Director

Master Cosmetology And Barber Instructor

Christie saw a need in Oklahoma and collaborated with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Boards.  Christie is a Master Cosmetology Instructor and a 32 year professional in the beauty industry. She is an Instructor at Oklahoma's first beauty college in a women's prison,   serves in the Stand In the Gap Ministry and as a Celebrate Recovery Leader. Christie also serves as a Board Member of the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and as the Chair for the Board's Rules Committee. 

"There is a serious problem in Oklahoma; there are so many incarcerated women and when they are released, most have very little to return to.Some women do not have skills, HS diplomas, families, homes, support, employment, transportation, or money.  They are often met with exorbitant court fees, fines, restitution obligations, back child support, societal negativity and fewer employment choices due to the "'FELON" label: all which are overwhelming and steals their hope for a better future.  According to a News 9 interview with D.O.C. in May 2015, the average recidivism rate is 22%; which means they re-offend and return to prison.  How can they succeed?  We are willing to bridge the gap, teach them the skills, while meeting them at the prison gate to help them return to society as successful re-emergent tax paying citizens."

Emily Gargone 

Master Cosmetology And Barber Instructor

Emily is a valued volunteer Instructor, both in Cosmetology and Barbering with years of experience.  She drives two (2) hours each way to come and teach. **Now that's dedication.  She is loved by the students and brings amazing creativity to the classroom. She is currently self employed at a salon in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  Emily cultivates new trends and brings current topics to the students in her imaginative lessons. Her skills are exemplary and we love that she brings brilliance and Barbering Education to our program.

    Amanda (AJ) Watkins    

Educational Program Cooridinator

Master Cosmetology And Barber Instructor

Amanda (AJ) Watkins is A licensed Cosmetologist, Barber, and Educator.  While serving out a prison sentence in an Oklahoma woman’s prison she received an education in Cosmetology completely free of charge through the R.I.S.E. PROGRAM. This changed her life and inspired her to pursue an instructor’s license as she had a strong desire to stay connected to and partner with R.I.S.E. Recently she was granted the opportunity to serve as Educational Program Coordinator of the program. AJ has a strong passion for education and a heart for ministry. Her goal is to find fun innovative ways to present the curriculum. The program serves justice-involved individuals and AJ strongly believes that both the time that she served in prison and the experiences she’s gained in the beauty/barbering industry will help her to connect with and relate to others.

Sierra

Operations Administrator

Sierra is the Operations Administrator at R.I.S.E. Program Inc. She has been working for the program since 2018 and has lived the experience of being a child of a parent who’s been in prison. Sierra is attending college for a Bachelor’s in Marketing and is excited about what that education can bring to the program. She is a mother and loves spending time with her family. Sierra feels that her experience as a mother can help her relate to individuals involved in the R.I.S.E. Program. You’ll likely see her accompanied by her mini assistant, her child.

Maria Moore

Master Cosmetology Instructor

From a child, Maria had an interest in the beauty industry. While visiting a family members salon she would help out. Many years later Maria's wrong turn took her down the right path. This is where she met Christie Luther and her life forever changed by the grace of God and through the R.I.S.E. Program. One day while learning about perms the smell took her back to a childhood memory reigniting her interest and realizing she had a passion in this industry. While in cosmeoloty school an unexpected turn of events happened. Through the trials and tribulaitons of COVID and not being able to attend school, 247 days were missed. Durning that time Maria went up for commutation in front of the parole board and was granted early release. Maria went to school that morning and walked out the gates with Christie that day. Leaving with 127 hours to complete. This is where Christie saw a need for a school on the "outside". Realizing  the opportunity to help others was within reach, Maria enrolled at R.I.S.E. OKC Campus and obtained her Master Instructor License. Currently Maria is a licensed Master Cosmetology Instructor for the R.I.S.E. Program, A D.O.C. volunteer and is enrolled for Barber Crossover while maintaining a full time job behind the chair. Maria wants to help others who are in the position she used to be in. Her personal experience gives her the understanding, compassion, and empathy for those choosing to better themselves through the R.I.S.E. Program. 

Tessa Myers

Cosmetologist | Master Instructor

Tessa is a mother to three beautiful children, Wyatt, Annikate, and Isabella. Tessa has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2010 and over the last 15 years developed a love for the industry, specializing in haircutting and coloring.  

While incarcerated at Mabel Basset Correctional Center, Tessa recieved her Master Instructor License and life has never been the same.

She is thankful for the education she recived through the R.I.S.E. Program and now has the opporutnity to give what was given ot her: Hope & Restoration.