Connecticut Hall Of Change Celebrates Seven Years of the Great 8

On September 13, 2026, community members, advocates, leaders, and supporters came together at TheaterWorks Hartford to celebrate the 7th Annual Great 8, presented by the Connecticut

Hall of Change. The evening honored eight individuals whose lives demonstrate the power of transformation, accountability, and using lived experience to create positive change for others.

For Hang Time, the Great 8 represents many of the same values that guide our work every day. Creating space for honest conversation, strengthening community connections, and recognizing the potential in people beyond their past are all essential to building stronger communities. The individuals honored this year are examples of what can happen when people have opportunities to grow, lead, mentor, advocate, and give back.

The 2026 celebration featured Connecticut State Senator Gary Winfield as keynote speaker, with special guests State Representative Toni Walker and State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, along with a special performance by Yexandra “Yex” Diaz.

Now seven years strong, the Great 8 continues to challenge the way formerly incarcerated individuals are seen and recognized. Rather than allowing incarceration to define someone's story, the event puts the focus on what comes next: growth, leadership, service, and the impact a person can have on the people around them.

Hang Time is proud to support spaces like the Great 8 that bring people together, elevate lived experience, and remind our communities that change becomes more powerful when people are given the opportunity to lead it.