The Our Voice Podcast

In episode 19, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Cecile Scoon  – President of the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL). A Harvard and University of Virginia Law School graduate, Cecile Scoon is the first Black woman to serve as president of LWVFL. She is also a past president of the League of Women Voters of Bay County and chair of the Florida League’s efforts to restore rights, including passing Florida’s 2018 Amendment 4. President Scoon joins hosts Neil Volz and Desmond Meade to discuss one of the most debated topics related to voting in Florida right now, redistricting - the process of drawing electoral district boundaries. Our guest presents a compelling case for challenging the Governor’s redistricting map, which she believes reduces the voting power of minorities.

In episode 18, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes John Koufos – Executive Director at the  Taking Action for Good Foundation. Mr. Koufos is a former defense attorney and private sector manager who leads intersectional social impact programs and national policy advocacy initiatives. Mr. Jeff Korzenik joins Mr. Koufos. Mr. Korzenik is the acclaimed author of Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community and Chief Investment Strategist for one of the nation’s largest banks. He is responsible for the investment strategy and the allocation of over $40 billion in assets. Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz engage with the show’s guests to talk about how a smart and innovative approach to using criminal justice reform tools and second-chance hiring can jumpstart the U.S. economy.

In episode 17, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Brandon Sturdivant – Co-Director of the Mass Liberation Project. The Mass Liberation Project was launched in 2019 to bolster the growing movement to end mass incarceration and abolish the criminal legal system as we know it. But what does modern-day abolition look like, and is it even possible? Co-Director Sturdivant and the show's hosts have a frank discussion on the topic and a robust conversation about the need for healing among those who have perpetuated crime and those who have been victims of crime.

In episode 16, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Monique Worrell – State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court for the State of Florida. As the second African American ever elected to the position, and as a person with a loved one who has been impacted by the criminal legal system, State Attorney Worrell has made it her mission to achieve equity and to move our system toward justice. Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz sit down with our esteemed guest to talk about her background, how she and FRRC partnered to create a winning campaign for the office of State Attorney, and what her office is doing to reduce over-policing and mass incarceration in underserved communities.

In episode 15, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Deanna Hoskins – President of JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA). JLUSA is dedicated to cutting the US correctional population in #halfby2030, JLUSA empowers people most affected by incarceration to drive policy reform. In honor of Second Chance Month, host Desmond Meade and President Hoskins have a candid discussion about addiction, incarceration, reentry, criminal justice reform, and the redemptive power of second chances.

#DesmondMeade #AngelSanchez #CriminalJustice

 In episode 13, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Angel Sanchez, J.D. - a returning citizen (formerly convicted person) who has overcome exposure to extreme gang violence as a youth, being sentenced to 30 years in prison at the age of 16 and homelessness after being released, to eventually graduate from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. In his most recent position, he has served as FRRC Senior Policy Analyst, where he has fought for greater access to voting for justice-involved individuals. Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz get Angel to share some of the details surrounding his difficult past and the keys to success he developed to overcome barriers to successful reentry.

#DesmondMeade #AngelSanchez #CriminalJustice

In episode 13, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Angel Sanchez, J.D. - a returning citizen (formerly convicted person) who has overcome exposure to extreme gang violence as a youth, being sentenced to 30 years in prison at the age of 16 and homelessness after being released, to eventually graduate from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. In his most recent position, he has served as FRRC Senior Policy Analyst, where he has fought for greater access to voting for justice-involved individuals. Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz get Angel to share some of the details surrounding his difficult past and the keys to success he developed to overcome barriers to successful reentry.

In episode 13, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Angel Sanchez, J.D. - a returning citizen (formerly convicted person) who has overcome exposure to extreme gang violence as a youth, being sentenced to 30 years in prison at the age of 16 and homelessness after being released, to eventually graduate from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. In his most recent position, he has served as FRRC Senior Policy Analyst, where he has fought for greater access to voting for justice-involved individuals. Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz get Angel to share some of the details surrounding his difficult past, and the keys to success that he developed in order to overcome barriers to successful reentry.

In season 2 episode 12, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Mrs. Chelsea Murphy - Florida State Director for Right on Crime. Right on Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that supports conservative solutions for reducing crime, restoring victims, reforming offenders, and lowering taxpayer costs. The podcast also welcomes special guest host Mrs. Sheena Meade Executive Director for Clean Slate. Clean Slate is a new bipartisan policy model that uses technology to automatically clear criminal records if a person stays crime-free. The show’s hosts and guest discuss the “conservative approach” to criminal justice reform, the differences between being “right on crime” vs. being “tough on crime,” the benefits of expanding record sealing & expungement, and why it’s important for both conservatives and liberals to promote fair-chance hiring practices for returning

In season 2 episode 11, the “Our Voice” podcast welcomes Beanie Sigel - Hip Hop recording artist, actor, community activist and returning citizen (formerly convicted person). Hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz take the audience on a journey through the life of the former Roc-A-Fella star. The conversation begins with Beanie opening up about his difficult childhood, surrounded by drug dealers and gang members on the South Side of Philadelphia. He then shares how that environment eventually led him to being locked up at 9 years old. We then get to hear about his meteoric rise to international fame, his eventual imprisonment and unlikely second act as a community activist working to end gun-violence.