Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Desmond Meade who is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the Executive Director of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and lead a successful campaign to re-enfranchise 1.4 million returning citizens in Florida. His efforts led to him being named one of TIME Magazine 100 most influential people in the world and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
TOPIC: How to Change the World
GUEST: Desmond Meade
THOUGHT #1 - A Chain is Only as Strong as It's Weakest Link: Strengthen the Other Links!
THOUGHT #2 - Love More, Hate Less
THOUGHT #3 - Get Those Closest to the Pain to Help with the Solution
CONNECT:
DESMOND MEADE'S BIO:
Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Miami Dade College, Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow.
Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019, Desmond presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies. His work has resulted in being named Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year 2019. As President and Executive Director of FRRC, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 is recognized for its work on voting, criminal justice reform issues, and a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions.
A sought-after speaker, Desmond has made numerous appearances on radio and television and has spoken before national organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bread for the World. Desmond has testified before Congressional members and staffers and was part of a delegation to the United Nations where he gave testimony regarding disenfranchisement in Florida. Desmond orchestrated a historic meeting at the White House between returning citizens and President Obama’s administration.
Most recently, Desmond served as a Commissioner on the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice which was co-chaired by former U.S. Attorney Generals Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzalez. He is also a member of the Council on Criminal Justice. He has appeared on numerous shows such as Al-Jazeera, Democracy NOW, MSNBC with Joy Ann Reid, FOX News with Dana Perino and Tucker Carlson, Samantha Bee, and All In with Chris Hayes. He is a guest columnist for the Huffington Post in which one of his articles about the death of Trayvon Martin garnered national attention.
RESOURCES:
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