We exist to empower the incarcerated with the tools and skills necessary to transition from simply existing to living with purpose! Expanding prison outreach through various avenues of art, education, and entertainment!
What Do Prison Visits Look Like?
Playing
We bring in artists who sing and speak about whatever is on their heart. The more real, the more raw – the better. The inmates - men and women - are grateful for every word spoken and every song shared.
Sharing
Our founder, Briana, shares her incredible story, how she made it out, and the lessons she's learned along the way with the inmates. She relays the absolute proof that their circumstances do not have to define them.
Talking
We open up the floor to speak one on one with those on the inside. There’s never a time when laughter and tears are not heard and seen. The inmates – men and women – are all ears. They are connected, affixed, encouraging and kind.
About Hope On The Inside
The Mission
We exist to empower the incarcerated with the tools and skills necessary to transition from simply existing to living with purpose!
How it started
Once an inmate herself, Briana Calhoun beat unbelievable odds and dedicated her career to helping inmates navigate incarceration, find strength through self-determination and love, and discover Hope on the Inside™️ — no matter the circumstances. In 2024, Calhoun and business partner Kix Brooks, of Brooks and Dunn, founded a nonprofit sharing incredible accounts of triumph through an honest and compassionate approach for change. Other Nashville artists have begun to join this journey and Calhoun aims to expand the outreach community through various avenues of art, education, and entertainment!
The Team
Jualea Hayes, Chancie Neal, VP Kix Brooks, Randy Graham, President Briana Calhoun, Treasurer Kerry Banks, Todd Davison, Secretary Bill Windham
From Left to Right
Meet the Team
Briana Calhoun
Once an inmate herself, Briana Calhoun beat unbelievable odds and dedicated her career to helping inmates navigate incarceration, find strength through self-determination and love, and discover Hope on the Inside™️ — no matter the circumstances. In 2024, Calhoun and business partner Kix Brooks, of Brooks and Dunn, founded a nonprofit sharing incredible accounts of triumph through an honest and compassionate approach for change
Kix Brooks
HOTI's VP and Board Member, Kix Brooks was born and raised in Shreveport, LA. From writing hit songs for other artists such as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Highway 101, and John Conlee, to joining forces with Ronnie Dunn to become the highest selling duo in country music, Kix brings a wealth of experience to HOTI's leadership! In fact, he's the one that originally convinced Briana to form Hope On The Inside!
Bill Windham
HOTI acting secretary and political ambassador. Bill is an extremely successful entrepreneur from Shreveport, La. Bill is responsible for partnerships and engagements, and has been an active board member for multiple nonprofits, including acting as board director for a regional chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation!
Kerry Banks
Kerry Banks, HOTI treasurer, has served on the Board of Directors for multiple non-profit organizations including MedCamps of La, Lifehouse Ministries, and various positions with Trinity Methodist Church to name a few. Professionally, Kerry serves as President of the Rural Rental Housing of La and is on the Board of Directors with Louisiana National Bank. Kerry is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and was licensed as Certified Public Accountant in 1995.
Chancie Neal
HOTI Board member and Artist Ambassador, has been a professional artist and songwriter for nearly 20 years. At the age of nine, Chancie had already secured her title as the NFR Barrel Racing World Champion. However, her true passion was songwriting. Discovered by Luke Bryan at the age of 12, she was signed to Sony and toured with Bryan for the next seven years. Chancie is a hit songwriter and when she’s not helping run her family ranch, she can be found playing her music all over the country or writing and performing original songs in Nashville. Chancie assists in securing musicians and songwriters to perform for HOTI events, whether it be free concerts for inmates, or charitable fundraisers.
Events and News
Knoe8 News Appearance
"Today, Briana Calhoun joined Good Morning ArkLaMiss to talk about her nonprofit Hope on the Inside (HOTI). Calhoun says HOTI is a prison outreach program that was founded in December 2023. The program aims to help those who are incarcerated or struggling with addiction. Having experience with addiction and the prison system, Calhoun says she hopes to bring HOTI to every inmate in the country. When Calhoun visits prisons, she brings a group of artists to perform for those in the prison. She also shares her personal story. Calhoun says she hopes to give inmates the resources and confidence to beat addiction."
Writers' Round and Fundaraiser Event
Joining Briana on stage are the celebrated songwriters and performers Bob DiPiero and Tim Nichols, whose impressive resumes are just the tip of the iceberg. Renowned fixtures in the Nashville songwriting scene, Bob and Tim bring a wealth of storytelling and personal experience to their craft. Expect an evening filled with captivating tales and heartfelt performances that resonate on a deeply human level. Don’t miss the chance to hear the magic that happens when their musical genius and life experiences collide!
Country Insider Article
“She talked about going and playing at one of these prisons and asked if I wanted to go,” the “American Country Countdown” host tells Country Insider. Brooks, of course, was aware of the historical ties between country music and prisons, from Merle Haggard’s songs and life story to Johnny Cash’s albums recorded at Folsom and San Quentin State Prisons to, more recently, Jelly Roll’s efforts on behalf of incarcerated people. “I said, ‘Yeah, I’d like to see what that’s about,’” he says. “I was really moved by the way she communicated with the inmates.”
All Country News Article
"Briana's journey to founding Hope On The Inside began after her own experience in the prison system. Reflecting on her lowest point, she shared, "My last mugshot... I was knocking on death's door. I had absolutely no chance of surviving. The best thing that ever happened to me was getting locked up." That harsh reality gave Briana a new lease on life, and today, she channels her personal transformation into empowering others who are walking similar paths."