Recognized as one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2019, Desmond Meade is a voting rights activist who’s devoted his life to criminal justice reform. A formerly homeless returning citizen, he currently serves as the President and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Desmond leads efforts to empower local communities and reform criminal justice policies. His organization is credited with the passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizens’ initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions.

Chris and Coss talk with Desmond about why he believes the disenfranchisement of the incarcerated is one of society’s most pressing issues.

 To learn more about the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, visit https://floridarrc.com/

Preview for next week: Chris and Coss interview Washington State Senator Tarra Simmons about her path to becoming the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in her state.