ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026 NATIONAL COVERAGE: Connecticut Businessman Kyle Gonzalez defies array of odds, starts BeyondThaBars nonprofit organization
Andre Johnson 
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. (Romans 8:37/NIV)
SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS
At the time, Kyle Gonzalez was confined to a jail cell.
Still, that didn’t merely stop him from implementing the legwork surrounding what is shaping up to become a thriving, progressive nonprofit organization.
And so it ultimately came to pass, the start of BeyondThaBars, Gonzalex’s rising New Haven, Connecticut-based venture that operates largely as a fiscally sponsored nonprofit organization, the Ansonia, Connecticut native told Making Headline News as part of its 2026 Essence Music Festival national coverage for “the party with a purpose” event in New Orleans.
Generally, BeyondThaBars customarily works with incarcerated individuals to promote community outreach within the communities they come from, he said.
SALUTING MEN WHO SHAPE OUR WORLD
MORE ON GONZALEZ: https://www.instagram.com/beyonddabars/
“The men and women we work with are called dream seekers and design projects that effect positive change in the places they come from,” Gonzalez told MHN. “Each dream seeker receives a flyer for the event or project they formulated and goes cell to cell asking for donations and commissary for the cause they wish to address, then they send those donations to me with the sole purpose of distributing them to the community on behalf of our incarcerated brothers and sisters.”
Moreover, Gonzalez’s organization regularly hosts events, executes essential projects, takes pictures, writes a letter of appreciation, thus send them to the dream seeker who shows the donators what transpired from their contributions, he said.
“Incarcerated people don’t always need charity or assistance,” Gonzalez, who served 15 years in prison, explained. “Sometimes they desire nothing more than to give back and help heal some of the ills they experienced while growing up. When I was (incarcerated), I knew that this wasn’t something readily available, so I created an organization that fills this gap when I came home.”
NEED NATIONAL MEDIA EXPOSURE? CALL TODAY: 901.690.6587
For his valiant efforts, Gonzalez has garnered an array of public support since BeyondThaBars officially went into operations in 2021.
“A man serving a 70-year sentence has expressed his deepest gratitude for providing him the space to give back to a community he once took so much from,” Gonzalez told MHN. “Personal impression is that this word changes lives and possible futures by challenging stereotypes and working towards a more connected community.”
A little more than a year removed from being discharged from prison, Gonzalez said his personal mission for starting his organization is centered largely on doing the essential work that will enable him to assist with developing a stronger bond between incarcerated people and the communities they come from — all the while challenging the parole board to revisit people serving extended sentences with the possibility of early release for the work they do.
“It’s important to inspire people because it is the inspiration that creates opportunity,” Gonzalez, a graduate of Yale Prison Education Initiative, said. “When inspired, we tend to value our dreams and goals and put ourselves in the position to actualize those goals.”
FAMILY FOCUS
For more information about New Haven, Connecticut Businessman Kyle Gonzalez of BeyondThaBars, to inquire about his organization, or to inquire about a public appearance or speaking engagement, connect with him via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579403949053. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyonddabars/. Send email to beyondthabars@icloud.com.
CONNECT WITH THIS AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST FOR MEDIA EXPOSURE
WHAT’S YOUR STORY? If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA, NFL, and NCAA sports from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
ADVERTISE WITH US
About The Author
