By Amber Van Schooneveld
When Bo Cornelius walked into the Global Leadership Summit at Algoa Correctional Center in Missouri, he was handed a name tag. That simple gesture sparked the beginning of transformation.
Bo Cornelius, a former resident of Algoa Correctional Center and creator of Global Leadership Academy
“I received a name tag — with my first name. That doesn’t happen in prison. Usually, you’re just a number,” he says. “There was fruit on the tables, breakfast items, drinks — it felt human.”
At 39, Bo had a construction business, a home, a wife and a child. But after drinking at a friend’s house, he was in an accident. The other driver lost his life. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison.
“I was overwhelmed with shame,” Bo says. “I felt like I had lost everything — my identity, my status, my individuality. I was anonymous in a crowd of 2,000.”
Bo knew prison would be bad, but it was even worse than he imagined. He was surrounded by drugs and violence — and was terrified who he might become.
“Would I even be safe around my family, after learning how to survive in a completely different world inside?” he worried.
A Chance at Humanity and Identity
Bo’s bunkmate, Spencer, attended the Global Leadership Summit in prison. “He came back glowing.” He challenged Bo to get out of his comfort zone and join recovery and restorative justice groups. The next year, in 2019, Bo attended the Summit himself. He says the experience was transformational.
“Those two days felt like one giant inhalation of humanity — of identity, community,” Bo says. “I was reminded I had infinite dignity, given by God, because of the Summit.”
More than just another number, Bo’s identity was awakened.
“The talks reminded me of who I used to be… I was being labeled ‘offender,’ but God was reminding me that I was more than that.”
Everything Bo learned from the speakers — about trust, service and conflict resolution — was deeply relevant to life in prison, yet completely at odds with the reality around him. He knew the Summit couldn’t be just a fleeting moment of inspiration — it had to spark lasting change.
Developing an Ongoing Prison Leadership Program
Determined to carry that momentum forward, Bo envisioned a program to keep the conversation going. What if they could explore leadership principles every week — not just two days a year? During visiting hours, his wife, Abby, who has a Master’s in Instructional Design, helped him develop a curriculum and a proposal. It was approved.
On January 5, 2022, the first Global Leadership Academy (GLA) launched.
GLA is a 22-week, peer-led leadership development program. Each week, two different residents present and lead discussions based on Global Leadership Summit content. They focus on relationships, engagement and vulnerability.
“We want real, raw conversations,” Bo says. “We say leadership is ‘wisdom’ — the skill of living. In prison, it’s hard to live wisely, so this helps guys practice and reflect in community.”
Changing the Culture of a Troubled Maximum-Security Prison
In December 2023, a resident at Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri died while restrained and in isolation. Four officers were fired and charged with second degree murder, and the warden was replaced.
Global Leadership Academy is being held in Jefferson City Correctional Center, where staff and residents are rebuilding culture together.
Kelly Morriss, the newly appointed warden, wanted to dismantle the culture of violence and distrust at the prison. He had been Bo’s warden at Algoa, and witnessed the transformation GLA was creating — so he brought GLA with him.
The first GLA was held eight months ago at Jefferson City Correctional Center, and already the prison is seeing a substantial impact. Warden Morriss requires staff interested in promotion to participate in GLA.
According to Bo, officers used to resort to the use of force 80 to 90 times per month at the prison.
“Last month — there were 11.”
Warden Morriss attributes the genesis of this culture change to the arrival of GLA at his facility.
Expanding Throughout the State, Country and World
Bo is now bringing the Global Leadership Academy to prisons across Missouri, as well as Virginia, Illinois and even Brazil.
Currently, GLA is in four prisons in Missouri, and it will launch in three more prisons in 2025. The Missouri Department of Corrections aims to have it in all 19 state prisons eventually — but Bo is determined to keep the program effective and relational.
“I don’t want it to just be a workbook and a DVD. A human has to buy in,” Bo says.
GLA is also present in prisons in Virginia, Illinois — and even one prison in Brazil!
Because Bo believes deeply in the need for relationships on the outside, in addition to being the Program Director for GLA, he has started a nonprofit called Second Mountain Leadership that helps provide former residents assistance with housing, microloans and career connections.
Thank You for Planting Seeds
Bo is deeply grateful to the donors who have made this possible:
“Thank you for being willing to plant seeds where you don’t get to see what grows… I’m so grateful to people who donate based on the blind love of God.”
He closes with a thought:
“Change and growth are only inspired. You can’t achieve it through threat or authority. The only way to get people to take responsibility for their own life is to inspire and encourage it. That’s what GLS did for me and so many others… And there are 1,000 more like me sitting in prison who need encouragement.”
If you would like to be part of planting seeds that will lead to restoration and transformation, give to the Global Leadership Network today!
Amber Van Schooneveld
Senior Copywriter | Global Leadership NetworkThe Formerly Incarcerated Man Who’s Changing Prison Culture
Published June 16, 2025By Amber Van Schooneveld
When Bo Cornelius walked into the Global Leadership Summit at Algoa Correctional Center in Missouri, he was handed a name tag. That simple gesture sparked the beginning of transformation.
“I received a name tag — with my first name. That doesn’t happen in prison. Usually, you’re just a number,” he says. “There was fruit on the tables, breakfast items, drinks — it felt human.”
At 39, Bo had a construction business, a home, a wife and a child. But after drinking at a friend’s house, he was in an accident. The other driver lost his life. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison.
“I was overwhelmed with shame,” Bo says. “I felt like I had lost everything — my identity, my status, my individuality. I was anonymous in a crowd of 2,000.”
Bo knew prison would be bad, but it was even worse than he imagined. He was surrounded by drugs and violence — and was terrified who he might become.
“Would I even be safe around my family, after learning how to survive in a completely different world inside?” he worried.
A Chance at Humanity and Identity
Bo’s bunkmate, Spencer, attended the Global Leadership Summit in prison. “He came back glowing.” He challenged Bo to get out of his comfort zone and join recovery and restorative justice groups. The next year, in 2019, Bo attended the Summit himself. He says the experience was transformational.
“Those two days felt like one giant inhalation of humanity — of identity, community,” Bo says. “I was reminded I had infinite dignity, given by God, because of the Summit.”
More than just another number, Bo’s identity was awakened.
“The talks reminded me of who I used to be… I was being labeled ‘offender,’ but God was reminding me that I was more than that.”
Everything Bo learned from the speakers — about trust, service and conflict resolution — was deeply relevant to life in prison, yet completely at odds with the reality around him. He knew the Summit couldn’t be just a fleeting moment of inspiration — it had to spark lasting change.
Developing an Ongoing Prison Leadership Program
Determined to carry that momentum forward, Bo envisioned a program to keep the conversation going. What if they could explore leadership principles every week — not just two days a year? During visiting hours, his wife, Abby, who has a Master’s in Instructional Design, helped him develop a curriculum and a proposal. It was approved.
On January 5, 2022, the first Global Leadership Academy (GLA) launched.
GLA is a 22-week, peer-led leadership development program. Each week, two different residents present and lead discussions based on Global Leadership Summit content. They focus on relationships, engagement and vulnerability.
“We want real, raw conversations,” Bo says. “We say leadership is ‘wisdom’ — the skill of living. In prison, it’s hard to live wisely, so this helps guys practice and reflect in community.”
Changing the Culture of a Troubled Maximum-Security Prison
In December 2023, a resident at Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri died while restrained and in isolation. Four officers were fired and charged with second degree murder, and the warden was replaced.
Kelly Morriss, the newly appointed warden, wanted to dismantle the culture of violence and distrust at the prison. He had been Bo’s warden at Algoa, and witnessed the transformation GLA was creating — so he brought GLA with him.
The first GLA was held eight months ago at Jefferson City Correctional Center, and already the prison is seeing a substantial impact. Warden Morriss requires staff interested in promotion to participate in GLA.
According to Bo, officers used to resort to the use of force 80 to 90 times per month at the prison.
“Last month — there were 11.”
Warden Morriss attributes the genesis of this culture change to the arrival of GLA at his facility.
Expanding Throughout the State, Country and World
Currently, GLA is in four prisons in Missouri, and it will launch in three more prisons in 2025. The Missouri Department of Corrections aims to have it in all 19 state prisons eventually — but Bo is determined to keep the program effective and relational.
“I don’t want it to just be a workbook and a DVD. A human has to buy in,” Bo says.
GLA is also present in prisons in Virginia, Illinois — and even one prison in Brazil!
Because Bo believes deeply in the need for relationships on the outside, in addition to being the Program Director for GLA, he has started a nonprofit called Second Mountain Leadership that helps provide former residents assistance with housing, microloans and career connections.
Thank You for Planting Seeds
Bo is deeply grateful to the donors who have made this possible:
“Thank you for being willing to plant seeds where you don’t get to see what grows… I’m so grateful to people who donate based on the blind love of God.”
He closes with a thought:
“Change and growth are only inspired. You can’t achieve it through threat or authority. The only way to get people to take responsibility for their own life is to inspire and encourage it. That’s what GLS did for me and so many others… And there are 1,000 more like me sitting in prison who need encouragement.”
If you would like to be part of planting seeds that will lead to restoration and transformation, give to the Global Leadership Network today!
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About the Author
Amber Van Schooneveld
Senior CopywriterGlobal Leadership Network
Amber Van Schooneveld is the Senior Copywriter for Global Leadership Network. She loves using words to inspire, challenge and equip people to find the unique ways they are designed to transform the world around them. She is the author of five books, including Hope Lives: A Journey of Restoration.