REGINALD BURNEY

…Abe Brown Ministries ‘Ready4Work’ Program

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

A local businessman credits the training he received through Abe Brown Ministries for the impact it had on the success of his business.

Reginald Burney, a husband and father, admits to making some bad decisions and having a troubled past. However, after serving time for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (LEO), he was released from Polk Correctional Institute more than 3 years ago.

            Burney, 46, was released to a transitional house under the tutelage of Clyde Hammond.  Through Abe Brown Ministries’ ‘Ready4Work’ Program (R4W), and instructor, Mack Brown, Burney learned a lot about being a model citizen and dressing appropriately for different settings. He graduated from the 4-month program.

While he was incarcerated, Burney learned a lot about the program from Kyle Dammons, who visited the facility and talked to him about the ‘Ready4Work’ Program.

Burney was hired by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, that took a chance on him. Burney was able to get opportunities while meeting “a lot of high profile people.”

Then came “America We Clean,” initially named “Jamaica Me Clean.” Burney and his team of 9 employees stay busy. He calls his business the one stop operation. “We clean offices and homes and take their trash and junk away.” He currently has contracts with: Circle ‘K’, Main Street Renewal, Zillow, Karisos, Invitation Homes and National Home Rental.

He also operates a rental car business through Turo Platform.

In addition to his 9 employees, Burney also works with 12 independent contractors, and has hired some of the inmates he mentored through the
Toastmasters Program.

Burney and his wife, Laverne, are parents to 7 children.

When asked about relaxing, Burney says there is not much time for relaxing, “I just feel good doing the right thing. My mother (Dorothy Coleman), is always urging me to slow down, take some time off, but I’m not ready,” he said.

His advice to others who may have been incarcerated: “Be willing to accept responsibility for what you have done and follow those who are leading you to get back on track.”