Last Updated on August 12, 2025 by BVN
Alyssah Hall
Starting Over Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to ending poverty and incarceration, announced the launch of their Ruchell Cinqué Magee Community Land Trust (CLT) Capital Campaign last year. The land trust named in honor of Magee; one of the longest-held US political prisoners, aims to build a space for returning residents to build belonging, opportunity and generational wealth through homeownership and equity.
“CLT is named after Ruchell Cinqué Magee, a man who spent over 5 decades in the California Prison system. He spent much of his life in prison advocating for his release and the release of others,”said Executive Director of Starting Over, Inc., Vonya Quarles.
“He also worked, and like thousands of others who have been incarcerated in California prisons, he worked for mere pennies an hour,” Quarles continued.
The Ruchell Cinqué Magee CLT will offer directly affected men, women and their families an opportunity to own something, to thrive, and be fully vested in the communities they are part of. Quarles said they are using the CLT model because it has proven to be an effective tool to build wealth, reduce disparities, and increase community engagement.
The development of the land trust project was inspired by Magee’s fight and his unbroken spirit. The Starting Over, Inc. team met him upon his release and were impressed with the sacrifices he made toward Black liberation and the struggle of freedom. Magee was released from Prison at 84 years-old through a “compassionate release.” Starting Over, Inc. was contacted by Claude Marks, Director of the Freedom Archives, and his attorney on the possibility of offering Magee reentry support.
“Not only is the current real estate market prohibitive in terms of pricing, but people with criminal convictions also face unnecessary hurdles to leasing and renting property that increase their chances of facing homelessness or substandard housing. This impacts the people we serve and their families,” Quarles shared.
The CLT is created to give affordable home ownership opportunities in perpetuity therefore they cannot count how many people they will be able to accommodate, according to Quarles. Land purchases and acquisitions will help to determine how many people they can assist. Starting Over Inc. will be taking on its first land purchase this year and is looking at a 20 acre parcel.
CLT’s can benefit not only the individuals and families that purchase from the CLT by giving them the ability to enter into the real estate market, but also the communities because they control the trusts.
“CLT’s also empower communities through collective land ownership, with governance managed democratically by boards of directors that consist of residents, local stakeholders, and folks that can provide their expertise and resources.This structure ensures that decisions are guided by community needs and values, rather than driven solely by profit,” said Fidel Chagolla, All Of Us or None Organizer and Starting Over, Inc. staff member.
Starting Over, Inc. will measure the success of the Magee initiative by the amount of funds they can raise, the number of families that purchase from the trust, the amount of land and units they acquire, and how much equity is produced. They will also measure the changes in quality of life and the health determinants of families. The program hasn’t had difficulty with funding, Quarles said in light of what’s going on in the world, Starting Over, Inc has been doing well.
“We are starting our capital campaign and are looking forward to seeing the CLT grow,” Quarles said.
Starting Over, Inc. will be holding their seventh annual gala, Reclaiming Lives and Restoring Futures on December 12th at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center. The reception begins at 5:00 p.m. and the dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. For tickets, sponsorship information and more details on the event, visit their website.
To learn more about their future endeavors, the program will also host educational opportunities to share more about CLT’s with the community. Quarles said that community members can help support this initiative by donating to Starting Over, Inc. ‘s CLT or to other programs. They can also visit www.startingoverinc.org to learn more about CLT’s.
“This article, part of #BVNIdeas365 which draws upon concepts shared during the Black Voice News’ 2025 Ideas Event”
