“The real goal behind this is around public safety. When people are walking around with things on their record, they’re limited in terms of their access to jobs and housing and other things that they need to stabilize their lives or even the lives of their children..” Tinisch Hollins, Executive Director of Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) addressed the hundreds of community members who gathered in Sacramento to celebrate #TimeDone Advocacy Day, which aims to celebrate second-chance legislation and offer legal support for previously convicted individuals hoping to clear old criminal records.

 

On expungements, Tinisch continued: “They don’t know where to start. They don’t know about their eligibility. So this is about public education. It’s about making it accessible for folks and hopefully helping people clear barriers that might give them a second chance at life.” Read more in these two pieces from the Sacramento Bee here and here, and onKTXL and Telemundo 33. If you or someone you know is interested in more information on expungement,  visit expungemyrecord.org for step-by-step guides and local resources.

 

 Against the backdrop of a federal administration stoking fear and anxiety, and deepening economic instability, racial injustice, and social division  NextCity launched a series of essays on democracy in American cities. Reclamation Starts Now covers forces eroding democracy and how we can restore it from the ground up. Change Consulting’s media relations team collaborated with our partners at Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund to contribute two pieces  in the series: 

  • When the Wealthy Write Our Story – an op-ed by Evan Mulligan, Black to the Future Action Fund Policy Institute Fellow in 2021 and the Executive Director of the Sanctuary at Jubilee Community Center in Montgomery lifting up teams of four to build trust, share stories, and take action 
  • The Roadblocks to Multiracial Democracy – an op-ed by Kristin Powell, Executive Director of Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund outlining the Black to the Future Public Policy Institute  which creates  a network of Black policymakers across the United States to create and win transformative policies. 

Read the full Reclamation Starts Now series here. 

 

Nonpartisan organizations, politicians, and funders play a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable Americans amidst growing authoritarianism. While nonpartisan efforts are essential, accountability in advancing politics and policies aligned with shared values also matters. In this piece for NCRP, Ludovic Blain, Executive Director of California Donor Table (CDT), explains why funders must recognize the impact of elections and how CDT effectively mobilizes funds to support organizations and candidates, turning districts blue and advancing progressive causes. “At CDT, we’re not donor advisers – we’re donor organizers. We’ve discovered our role is to help donors figure out how they can most effectively support communities of color in our state to build their power and voice in elections and governing.” Learn more here. 

 

ICYMI:

  • Urban Peace Movement (UPM) is calling for an end to the use of pepper spray on youth in juvenile halls. High school-aged members of UPM led a  “Stop Pepper Spraying Our Kids” town hall urging Alameda County to ban the practice and invest in healing-focused alternatives like mentoring and counseling. Read more in The Oaklandside.
  • “We’re working with young boys to help them develop as individuals, their leadership skills, learning skills, spiritual and moral skills,” said Gregory Hodge, CEO of Brotherhood of Elders Network. Check out this KPIX feature on Juneteenth and how BOEN is strengthening community bonds by connecting young Black men with their Black elders.
  • Adrianne Shropshire, member of We Are California recently spoke with Rolling Stone to dispel Trump’s bluster about the recent protests against ICE and his militarized crackdown saying “nothing here that they’re doing is about de-escalation. It is all about escalating a confrontation with the people of Los Angeles.”