Vote for Justice: An Evening of Empowerment with Artists and Activists was hosted by the Justice Roundtable and held on May 9, 2018 at Washington, DC’s iconic Newseum. The event brought together artists and activists to contribute to energizing the growing movement for criminal justice reform. The evening was a high profile multi-media experience combining music, performance, panels, screen clips, spoken word and song. It was inspired by the personal stories of impacted people and helped to sharpen and amplify a narrative change that slashes mass incarceration, reunites families, and strengthens communities.

Relax, kick-back, unwind and enjoy a virtual viewing of this momentous event, one hour each evening during the week of May 18th as the Justice Roundtable takes Vote for Justice to the Zoom movie platform.

Register Here

VOTE FOR JUSTICE
An Evening of Empowerment with Artists and Activists
(Live event occurred May 9, 2018)

ZOOM Virtual Viewing
4 episodes
Monday – Thursday
May 18 – 21, 2020
8:00-9:00pm (ET) 5:00pm-6:00-pm (Pacific)

Register Here

Monday May 18, 2020
Episode ONE

Pre-Show Reception with Nkechi Taifa

• Sizzle Song: LaTosha Brown (Black Voters Matter Fund) “Hold On”
  Opening Remarks: Patrick Gaspard, President Open Society Foundations
  Evening Co-Hosts: actress, Tichina Arnold & author/commentator Michael Eric Dyson
  Presenter: Brittany Packnett (co-founder Campaign Zero), “What’s the Cost: Financial Impact and Bail Reform”
  Video clip (MIC) – Ms. Alice Marie Johnson from prison (one of 3,278 people serving federal life without parole; 79% for drug offense)
  Special Remarks: Senator Kamala Harris
  Performance: Goapele
  Panel: “Hip Hop, Mass Incarceration & the War on Drugs,” panelists Congressman Cedric Richmond and William Cobb, moderated by Christina Coleman.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Episode TWO

Pre-Show Reception with Nkechi Taifa

• Video clip: “23 Ways to Die While Black in America”
  Performance: Ka’Ba Soulsinger Akintunde, “A Change is Gonna Come;” “Someday We’ll All be Free”
  Spoken Word: Reginald DeWayne Betts
  Video (MIC): School to Prison Pipeline, featuring Patrisse Cullors
  Panel: “What’s the Cost: Impact on Families I”: Actor Michael K. Williams with Dominic Dupont, Shaun King, moderator
  Video clip from VICE documentary: “Raised in the System”
  Panel: “What’s the Cost: Impact on Families II”: Jessica Perez & Luis Hernandez (mother & brother of Pedro Hernandez); Carmen Perez, moderator (The Gathering for Justice)

Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Episode THREE

Pre-Show Reception with Nkechi Taifa

• Justice Legacy Award in memoriam to Dick Gregory (activist/comedienne), presented by Nkechi Taifa,
  Acceptance Song, artist Ayanna Gregory “Ballad for My Father”
  Testimonial Readings: “What’s the Cost: Women and Girls”, Naomi Wadler (11 year old youth activist from Women’s March); Jamila Burley (activist); Kemba Smith (received sentence commutation); Judith Browne Dianis (Advancement Project)
  Discussants: “What’s the Cost: Solitary Confinement, Reentry & Redemption”, Donte Stallwood (CNN Commentator, former NFL & Players Coalition member, with Desmond Meade (Florida Rights Restoration Coalition)
  Performance: The CrossRhodes – Raheem DeVaughn and Wes Felton perform “America”
  Panel: “What’s the Cost: Policy, Polls and Prosecutors”: Moderator – Udi Ofer (ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice); Kim Fox (Cook County State’s Attorney); and Larry Krasner (Philadelphia DA)

Thursday, May 21, 2020
Episode FOUR

Pre-Show Reception with Nkechi Taifa

• Video: ACLU Vote Smart Justice
  Remarks: Representative Lacy Clay (D-MO) in support of Directly Impacted People
  Awards: Certificates of Excellence to Formerly Incarcerated Leaders, presented by Justice Roundtable leaders: Angelyn Frazer-Giles and Jesselyn McCurdy
  Legacy Justice Award to Harry Belafonte, presented by Michael Eric Dyson; Harry Belafonte, Acceptance Speech Video
  Closing Remarks: Nkechi Taifa, Convener Justice Roundtable and Advocacy Director for Criminal Justice, Open Society Policy Center
  Closing Performance: Grammy Award Nominee, John Forte

Acknowledgements

Visionary: Nkechi Taifa, Esq.
Powered by the Justice Roundtable

Produced by SOZE
Videography: Willie “Yao” Brewer

ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice
Busboys & Poets
The Center for Justice at Columbia University
Christina Coleman
Executives Alliance for Boys and Men of Color
Focus & Fabulous Video Booth
Loves Life Photography
Open Society Policy Center
Smile Social Photo Booth
Vote for Justice Volunteers

Core Committee: Angelyn Frazer-Giles, Jesselyn McCurdy, Jasmine Mickens
and the 50 steadfast organizations that partnered to make Vote for Justice a success.

Register Here