Dave Dahl, who created the popular brand Dave's Killer Bread after spending 15 years in prison, is giving a boost to Project 180, the Sarasota nonprofit that helps people who were previously incarcerated. Dahl will join Project 180's Strong Voices Strong Subjects lecture series on Friday, Nov 13.

The series began this spring with one event, but the remaining two lectures had to be rescheduled to this fall because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The final two events will take place online.

In addition to Dahl's discussion, Project 180 will host an online forum highlighting local "second chance" employers who hire people with criminal backgrounds. That talk will take place on Friday, Oct. 9, and will be moderated by 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Charles Williams.

Dahl rejoined his family's Oregon bakery in 2005 after his time in prison and created the Dave's brand. After first being sold at a local farmers' market, the bread is now available in grocery stores nationwide. The company has maintained a policy of hiring people regardless of whether they have a criminal background. Approximately one third of the company's employees has a criminal history. The company was purchased by Georgia's Flowers Foods Inc. for $275 million in 2015.

The Project 180 lecture featuring local "second chance" employers will take place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. The lecture featuring Dahl will take place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. Tickets to each are $35. Register online here.