Reform Alliance Hosts Influential Panel at DNC in Chicago With Speakers Governors Wes Moore and Josh Shapiro, Vic Mensa, Yo Gotti and More
Written and Captured By | Alex Perez
The Democratic National Convention was in Chicago this past week at the United Center. Delegates, politicians, reporters, and activists from all around the country flocked to the windy city to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. On the last day of the DNC, Reform Alliance, a nonprofit group that focuses on changing the criminal justice system and probation reform held an event with multiple public figures and government leaders downtown. The event was put on and hosted by Reform member Jessica Jackson. Among those speaking at the event were Governor Wes Moore, Governor Josh Shapiro, Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott, Music Executive Yo Gotti, and many others.
See More Photos From Reform Alliance’s DNC Panel HERE
Rapper and Chicagoan Vic Mensa alongside basketball player Joakim Noah spoke about creating more opportunities for kids and at-risk youth to prevent them from getting into the criminal justice system beforehand. Getting kids into productive programs and better access to social resources can set them on a better path. Joakim emphasizes that despite retiring as a basketball player he will continue to work to provide the children of Chicago with more positive opportunities and that we all should do the same because it’s the responsibility of a community to look out for the children.
A panel hosted by Reform member Erin Haney featuring PA Representative Jordan Harris, Speaker Don Scott, advocate Cheryl Henderson, and assembly member Matt Haney talked about their efforts and victories in bettering the justice and prison systems in their respective states. Collectively they have passed 18 bills to help imprisoned Americans with probation and provide resources to help former prisoners stay free. Don Scott who was formerly incarcerated and is now VA Speaker of the House, encouraged others to keep telling their stories, telling your story may help empower and inspire others.
Finishing the event, Governors Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore and Attorney Generals Dana Nessel and Kwame Raoul shared their goals and ideas for what they hope a future with President Kamala Harris could look like and what they have planned for their states. Governor Wes Moore said he is staying persistent and focused on changing cannabis laws federally as well as updating the justice system to have more lenient punishments for citizens with cannabis convictions as marijuana continues to become legal across the country.
Music Executive Yo Gotti ends the event with a guest. He talks about experiences dealing with law enforcement and the trouble he had trying to continue his life post incarceration. He was able to connect with Reform Alliance through fellow rapper Meek Mill, he now helps people get help and representation who are dealing with family in the prison system like his guest, a mother whose son died while in prison. She gave an emotional real life account of the last time she spoke to her son and the conditions many Americans must live in while incarcerated. Food, safety and infrastructure are being neglected in prisons around the country. Groups like Reform Alliance hope to change that.
Photos By | Alex Perez