Denise Maupin was born in San Diego, CA, and moved to Washington aroumd 5 years old with her father and younger sister. Denise moved to California when she was 12 to be with her mother. Denise comes from a very diverse and disfunctional background of abuse as a child and adult mentally., emotionally. physically, spiritually and sexually. 

Denise began struggling with addiction at a very young age that spanned out until she was 27 years old. Dropped out o school and left home at 13-14 years old after beung in and out of several juvenile facilities which landed her into a life of homelessness and domestic violence for years. Once and adult, Denise began a career in the incarceration system; being arrested 23 times and serving 11 convictions for misdemeanor and felony charges related to her addiction and life style.

Denise eventually got sober and changed her life when she was 27 years old after her last time in Calfornia Department of Corrections. 

Denise embarked upon her recovery and 12 step process. Although she had droppped out of school at 13 years old she was encouraged go back to school at 29, obtained her AA degree in Liberal Arts. later went on to get a BA degree in Sociology and later a Masters Degree in Social Work from USC. Her inspiration came from lerning through education that many addicts, formerly incarcerated and individuals that were not brought up with the idea of higher education were most likely to never go to school. So she wanted to be that one that did, the one that broke the stereotypes, the one that would rise above so that she could encourage others that came from where she did to do the same. Denise went on to become a life coach, a sponsor in the 12-step community, a motivational speaker, a therapist and a leader. 

Denise had mad a decision when she got out of prison to change her life, remain sober and more importantly she made a decision to devote her life to making a change in the community. Denise has been an activist for years which has included "boots on the ground" protests in various cities and states, works with those who haapens to be homeless, worked with pushing "Ban the Box" movement, assist with oushing for formerly incarcerated to be given back the ability to have a voice and vote again. Denise's passion and purpose is homelessness population, school pipeline to prison, prison reform, police reform, social justice, systemic justice and ending oppression.