Podcast appearances and mentions of Desmond Meade

What if the real solution to homelessness isn't more shelters—but a complete rethink of how we treat the crisis? Joining Gregg to talk about it is Ron Book—Lawyer, Lobbyist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee & Chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust. This incredible organization has created what is considered the “National Best Practice Model” for ending homelessness. In this episode of Cut to the Chase, Ron gives us some “compassionate tough love” as he reveals how Miami-Dade went from over 8,000 people living on the streets to less than 900. He breaks down Miami-Dade's approach which includes focusing on long-term housing solutions, running the Trust like a business, and never being afraid to own mistakes, iterate, and try new approaches. Tune in to learn the realities of affordable housing in America, myths around encampments and panhandling, and the key behind Miami's success in reducing houselessness. What you'll learn in this episode: Inside Miami's homelessness model: A business-like approach with zero debt, full audits, and reinvested rent The housing-first reality behind homelessness—and why Miami turns hotels and federal land into homes, not shelters Why street encampments and panhandling aren't compassion—they're barriers to real recovery and lasting change “The Lazarus Project”: The organization that sends medical teams to the streets to connect the chronically homeless with long-term care Why tiny homes aren't a gimmick—when done right, they're a scalable, dignified solution with real impact The secret to Miami's success: $47 million in dedicated annual funding, strong leadership, and a disciplined plan Key Takeaways: End Homelessness, Don't Maintain It: Real change means moving people off the streets—not enabling sidewalk survival with panhandling and handouts. Treat Homelessness Like a Business: Track outcomes, audit every dollar, and require buy-in from residents—accountability drives lasting solutions. Repurpose What Exists: Transform hotels, federal land, and underused spaces into scalable housing—from tiny homes to transitional facilities. Fund Solutions, Not Symptoms: A dedicated food and beverage tax powers Miami-Dade's long-term success—proving the value of steady funding. Build with a Plan, Not Politics: Success comes from a clear strategy, strong leadership, and community buy-in—not short-term fixes.   Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss our next deep dive on Cut to The Chase: Podcast with Gregg Goldfarb!   Subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast!   Resources: Learn more about Ronald L. Book, P.A.: https://rlbookpa.com Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronald-l-book-p-a Miami-Dade Homeless Trust: https://www.homelesstrust.org The Miami Foundation: https://miamifoundation.org National Coalition for the Homeless: http://nationalhomeless.org Federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development): https://www.hud.gov Desmond Meade's Story and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition: https://floridarrc.com Veterans Homelessness Programs: https://www.va.gov/homeless United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH): https://www.usich.gov WSJ: “America Is Pushing Its Workers Into Homelessness”: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/opinion/crisis-working-homeless.html   This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.

Desmond Meade is a MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow; a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and having been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. He's also's author of the 2020 book “Let My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Civil Rights of Returning Citizens.”Desmond is President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition -- the organization that led the successful effort to restore voting rights to some 1.4 million former felons in FL. The amendment passed with nearly 65% support. Desmond was born in St. Croix but grew up in Miami, and after a time in the Army, he found himself addicted and homeless in Miami. He served time in jail for felony drug possession, and after a fight with his brother was convicted of aggravated battery, also a felony. Then, in 2001, he was convicted of possession of a firearm as a felon and sentenced to 15 years in prison. An appeals court reversed that conviction and he was released, but still a convicted felon with no right to vote in the Sunshine State.Desmond graduated from Miami-Dade College in 2010 while living in a homeless shelter, enrolled in the FIU College of Law, graduating in 2013, joining the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition while in law school.ppearances on CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, and Fox TV demonstrates his ability to appeal to and inspire people from all walks of life.SONG 1: "Lose Yourself" by Eminem from the soundtrack to the 2002 movie 8 Mile. https://youtu.be/xFYQQPAOz7Y?si=RFYS3pPTCqZAnVOTSONG 2: "We Are the World" - the charity single originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. It was written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVw?si=jPzSQ23ydm5wl6yNSONG 3: "Freedom" by King Blackman ft Ronnie VOP, Desmond Meade.https://youtu.be/95Nc4JF_NpE?si=JcXPdk3muIVwnt2T

Florida recently restored the right to vote to over a million individuals who have served time for felony criminal convictions, but thousands in the state are still disenfranchised due to court fees and other hurdles. Hear from lawyers involved in voting rights restoration — as well as a client looking forward to voting — about the long and complex effort to advocate for full participation in democracy, and how pro bono has made a difference. Host Alicia Aiken speaks with Lena Hopkins of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Desmond Meade of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Raymond A. Traendly of TK Law, and client Wayne Wilson for this timely episode. Related Links: Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Florida: A summary of current felony disenfranchisement policies and legislative advocacy in Florida

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness of this urgently important crisis. Suicide impacts persons of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, and other demographics. This month is an opportunity to shift public perception, spread hope, and share vital information to people affected by suicide. If you are reading this and feeling discouraged, or experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.For this episode of Faith Talks we are sharing a conversation Jennifer Farmer had with Desmond Meade. Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2019, Meade presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies. As President and Executive Director of the FRRC, Meade led the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen's initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida.But Meade didn't start out with all these awards. In this video, we talk about his experience considering suicide. In this touching segment, he makes an appeal for all of us to see the humanity in persons who've made mistakes, made amends for those mistakes, and are striving to live with peace in dignity.Now please settle in and enjoy this conversation.

Have you ever wondered what truly stands between homelessness and housing?In today's society, homelessness is not just an urban issue but a complex interplay of legal, social, and economic factors.  In this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, you'll meet Ron Book, a prominent lawyer, lobbyist and dedicated advocate for the homeless. As the President of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Ron has worked tirelessly to address and reduce houselessness in his community. He's here to share his insights on the efficacy of legislation, local government roles, and the implementation of comprehensive care programs. Ron led efforts that have successfully raised $43 million to repurpose buildings for affordable housing, transforming countless lives and creating a model acknowledged by federal HUD administrations as a national best practice for tackling houselessness. Listen in as Ron joins Gregg to shed light on the multidimensional challenges of homelessness, the strategies that have proven effective, and the critical role of case management and wraparound services. This is more than just a podcast—it's a roadmap to ending homelessness. Don't miss out! In this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Gregg and Ron discuss:  - The limited efficacy of panhandling and its health implications for the houseless. - Legislative Measures in Florida: Mandatory shelters and controversial high barrier entry encampments. - Insights into the continuum of care in Miami Dade and Broward counties. - Differentiating between situational, episodic, and chronic homelessness. - The critical need for permanent housing solutions. - Financial Initiatives: $43 million raised for repurposing buildings into rental units. - Achievements in reducing veteran homelessness. - Upcoming changes to the Baker Act and its implications. - Balancing homeless rights with community welfare concerns. - Success stories, including that of Desmond Meade, uplifting lives through holistic programs.   Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firms: - Advocate for comprehensive case management and wraparound services to support chronic homelessness. - Collaborate with local government bodies, business communities, and service providers to form robust, multi-pronged approaches. - Leverage legal expertise to navigate and influence legislative measures impacting homelessness. - Educate clients and the broader community on the socio-economic intricacies of homelessness to foster informed advocacy. - Utilize tax revenue creatively to fund sustainable community programs addressing homelessness.   To learn more about Ronald L. Book, P.A., visit: https://rlbookpa.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronald-l-book-p-a   Important Resources: Miami Dade Homeless Trust: https://www.homelesstrust.org National Coalition for the Homeless: http://nationalhomeless.org Federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development): https://www.hud.gov Desmond Meade's Story and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition: https://floridarrc.com Veterans Homelessness Programs: https://www.va.gov/homeless United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH): https://www.usich.gov

Tune in to hear a great conversation about how Desmond Meade led the passing of the 2018 Florida Amendment 4. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sean-pittman-podcast/support

4.22.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: SCOTUS Tackles Unhoused Crisis, Fla. Former Felons Voting Rights, Mental Health v Illness #BlackStarNetwork partner:Fanbase

Desmond Meade's life story has been one of pain, perseverance, and finally, triumph.  From a drug addicted felon waiting for a train to jump in front of to heading up the groundbreaking Florida Rights Restoration Coalition which has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year for:"their work in building democracies, supporting the human right to representation by government, and working towards a better organized and peaceful world."Desmond, like FRRC is a force to be reckoned with. The nonprofit's greatest success was the overwhelming passage of Amendment 4, the initiative that represented the nation's largest expansion of voting rights since the civil rights era. More than 1.4 million Floridians who had served time regained the right to vote. After the amendment's impact was tempered by “implementation legislation” pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Republican lawmakers — requiring individuals to first pay off any fines and fees connected to their convictions — Meade, who has been the head of the org for nearly a decade, and the coalition were able to raise millions of dollars to assist 40,000 “returning citizens” in settling those debts. Take that, RON.We are thrilled to welcome Desmond to the show as he sits down with Adam for a robust, informative and moving conversation you do not want to miss. To learn more about and to support FRRC head to their website: https://floridarrc.com/Thanks for helping us save democracy one episode at a time!Join the Dirty Moderate Nation on Substack! Tell us what you think on Twitter! Or, if you are fed up with Elon's bullshit, hit us up on Threads! There are always shenanigans over on TikTok too…Are you registered to VOTE?

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Desmond Meade who is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the Executive Director of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and lead a successful campaign to re-enfranchise 1.4 million returning citizens in Florida. His efforts led to him being named one of TIME Magazine 100 most influential people in the world and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. TOPIC:  How to Change the World GUEST: Desmond Meade   THOUGHT #1 - A Chain is Only as Strong as It's Weakest Link: Strengthen the Other Links! THOUGHT #2 - Love More, Hate Less THOUGHT #3 - Get Those Closest to the Pain to Help with the Solution   CONNECT: Website: floridarrc.com Website: DesmondMeade.com Book: Let My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Rights of Returning Citizens Instagram: @desmondmeade X: @desmondmeade Linkedin: Desmond Meade   DESMOND MEADE'S BIO: Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Miami Dade College, Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019, Desmond presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies. His work has resulted in being named Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year 2019. As President and Executive Director of FRRC, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 is recognized for its work on voting, criminal justice reform issues, and a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen's initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. A sought-after speaker, Desmond has made numerous appearances on radio and television and has spoken before national organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bread for the World. Desmond has testified before Congressional members and staffers and was part of a delegation to the United Nations where he gave testimony regarding disenfranchisement in Florida. Desmond orchestrated a historic meeting at the White House between returning citizens and President Obama's administration. Most recently, Desmond served as a Commissioner on the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice which was co-chaired by former U.S. Attorney Generals Loretta Lynch and Alberto Gonzalez. He is also a member of the Council on Criminal Justice. He has appeared on numerous shows such as Al-Jazeera, Democracy NOW, MSNBC with Joy Ann Reid, FOX News with Dana Perino and Tucker Carlson, Samantha Bee, and All In with Chris Hayes. He is a guest columnist for the Huffington Post in which one of his articles about the death of Trayvon Martin garnered national attention. RESOURCES: Evergreen Podcast Network - EvergereenPodcasts.com Thoughts That Rock – ThoughtsThatRock.com Certified Rock Star - CertifiedRockStar.com Booky Call - https://www.bookycall.com Booky Call - Book Review App on Apple - Apps.Apple.com Service That Rocks: Create Unforgettable Experiences and Turn Customers into Fans (Jim Knight) - ServiceThatRocksBook.com Leadership That Rocks: Take Your Brand's Culture to Eleven and Amp Up Results (Jim Knight) - LeadershipThatRocksBook.com Culture That Rocks: How to Revolutionize Your Company's Culture (Jim Knight) – CultureThatRocks.com Black Sheep: Unleash the Extraordinary, Awe-Inspiring, Undiscovered You (Brant Menswar) - FindYourBlackSheep.com Rock ‘n Roll With It: Overcoming the Challenge of Change (Brant Menswar) – RocknRollWithIt.com Cannonball Kids' cancer – CannonballKidscancer.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Desmond Meade is president of the Florida Rights Restoration Committee, which inspired the nation with a grassroots campaign that passed a groundbreaking constitutional amendment with a win few saw coming—a supermajority of 62% of the vote. It restored voting rights to 1.5 million people with prior felony convictions who had served their time. The campaign was unique in transcending typical political divides and mobilizing volunteers, donors, and voters across the spectrum. Time magazine called Desmond Meade one of the country's most influential people. He's a MacArthur Foundation Genius Fellow, a Ford Foundation Global Fellow, and his organization was nominated for a Nobel Prize. On this episode, we'll talk with Desmond Meade about ideas you can use to create campaigns that transcend political divides to achieve great things.

Guest host Jefferson Smith of the Democracy Nerd Podcast sits in for Thom Hartmann today and speaks with Desmond Meade, Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Why did Florida give ex-felons the right to vote and then the state arrested them for it? Also Derek Black of the University of South Carolina Law School warns that public education is under assault...why it matters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, over 4.5 million people can't vote in the United States because of a mistake they made in the past. Desmond Meade is one of them. He's a "returning citizen" who understands the devastating impacts of having your civil rights stripped away, and the redemptive power of second chances. So, he set out to do something about it, and brought about the greatest expansion of voting rights in America in half a century. It's that work that just earned his organization a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.  You can learn more about Desmond's work at the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our first Can We Talk? 360° podcast interview for 2023 is with Desmond Meade, proud father, Floridian, voting rights activist and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC). We sit down to talk about the FRRC's mission, which is to “end the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions” and his fight to remind the community at large that there is a redemptive value in each and every human being.  We also discuss Desmond's activist journey and how in 2018, he led the successful effort to pass Florida Amendment 4, a state initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with previous felony convictions. Today the FRRC has been working on funding and counseling services for individuals who may have been inappropriately targeted for election fraud in Florida. If you would like to learn more about supporting the FRRC's initiative, or if you know someone who may need their services, visit https://floridarrc.com/.

Introducing "The Hardest Step," which is taking over the Lost Debate feed for a special episode! Topeka K. Sam is a shining example of the power of redemption. While in federal prison for drug trafficking, Topeka witnessed firsthand the many challenges and injustices that women, particularly women of color, face behind bars. After her release in May 2015, she launched The Ladies of Hope Ministries. The organization works to advocate for women in or recently out of prison. The ministry helps women transition back into society by providing them with safe housing, education, spiritual empowerment, and entrepreneurial skills. Chris and Coss sit down with Topeka to discuss the highs and lows of her journey and how she stays hopeful in the face of adversity. To learn more about The Ladies of Hope Ministries, visit thelohm.org. Preview for next week: Chris and Coss interview voting rights activist Desmond Meade, whose organization is credited with the passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions. Click here to check out The Hardest Step podcast

Last time we talked about voter suppression in the US. We talked about tactics like reducing polling locations, reducing early voting, not allowing vote by mail, etc. Let's look at a couple of additional ways that suppression plays out: prison gerrymandering and felony disenfranchisement. In the episode, I talked about the Prison Gerrymandering Project by the Prison Policy Institute. I also mentioned the book Let My People Vote by Desmond Meade, about the Amendment 4 fight in Florida to restore the right to vote for people with felony convictions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/support

Hello there!!!! I have 2 AWESOME guests on today's show that I think you will LOVE ! Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 740 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls. We used to be 800 so lets get back up there! Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2019, Desmond presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies.  His work has resulted in being named Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year 2019. As President and Executive Director of FRRC, which is recognized for its work on voting and criminal justice reform issues, Desmond led the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen's initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida. A sought-after speaker, Desmond has made numerous appearances on radio and television, and has spoken before national organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bread for the World. Desmond has testified before Congressional members and staffers and was a part of a delegation to the United Nations where he gave testimony regarding disenfranchisement in Florida. Desmond orchestrated a historic meeting at the White House between returning citizens and President Obama's administration. He has appeared on numerous shows such as Al-Jazeera, Democracy NOW, MSNBC with Joy Ann Reid, FOX News with Dana Perino and Tucker Carlson, Samantha Bee, and All In with Chris Hayes. He is a guest columnist for the Huffington Post in which one of his articles about the death of Trayvon Martin garnered national attention. Desmond has been featured in several newspaper and magazine articles and was chosen as a “Game Changer” by Politic 365, as well as being recognized as a “Foot Soldier” on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show on MSNBC. Desmond is married and has five beautiful children. Twitter: @desmondmeade   JL Cauvin is the best Trump impersonator in the world. He is also a very talented Stand Up Comic with who I have known for a long time. JL has recorded 6 stand up albums! J-L's act is incredibly diverse and has led to six stand up albums: 2006′s Racial Chameleon, 2008′s Diamond Maker, 2012′s Too Big To Fail and 2013′s Keep My Enemies Closer, 2016's Israeli Tortoise, which hit #1 on the iTunes comedy chart and his 2018 double album Thots & Prayers. He has also released two albums as Donald Trump: 2017's Fireside Craps, an entire album as Donald Trump which hit #1 on the iTunes comedy chart and 2020's Fireside Craps: The Deuce which went #1 on both Amazon and iTunes' comedy charts and broke into the Top 40 on iTunes' overall album charts. Subscribe to JL new Patreon and get tickets to see us both this Wednesday Nov 23 at the Funny Bone in Syracuse    JL is the host of 2 podcasts "Righteous Prick" and "Making Podcasts Great Again"   Check out all things Jon Carroll Follow and Support Pete Coe Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page

The great Desmond Meade joined Jake to discuss his work with Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, what it feels like to help someone re-gain their civil rights, how to avoid getting discouraged and why it's so important that we vote.

Carol Anderson on Democrats losing ground in the closely watched Senate and gubernatorial races in Georgia; Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman on how Republicans used extreme gerrymandering to take over the Wisconsin legislature and what this means for 2024; Voting rights activist Desmond Meade on how Republicans in Florida are trying to intimidate formerly incarcerated people from voting. Get Democracy Now! delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for the Daily Digest: democracynow.org/subscribe

Carol Anderson on Democrats losing ground in the closely watched Senate and gubernatorial races in Georgia; Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman on how Republicans used extreme gerrymandering to take over the Wisconsin legislature and what this means for 2024; Voting rights activist Desmond Meade on how Republicans in Florida are trying to intimidate formerly incarcerated people from voting. Get Democracy Now! delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for the Daily Digest: democracynow.org/subscribe

“A More Perfect Union" Hour 1 with Nii-Quartelai Quartey | @drniiquartelai| Podcast Hosted by changemaker, journalist, educator, and KBLA Talk 1580 Chief National Political Analyst Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, “A More Perfect Union” promises to deliver national news of consequence, informed opinion, and analysis beyond the headlines. In this episode, listen to my conversation with Desmond Meade, President Of The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. He's Building a more perfect union Starting with an imperfect Florida election system,, made worse by arrests made by Florida's new Elections Police Force. We'll get Desmond's take on this voter suppression tactic and learn what we can do to ensure every eligible voter in Florida, exercises their constitutional right without fear or intimidation. Then during our Changemakers Roundtable don't miss highlights from my recent conversation on Fox Soul's Black Report about existing and emerging midterm election trends with veteran Political Strategist Fred Hicks and Stacy Abrams Campaign Senior Advisor Nina Smith.

10.21.2022 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Houston & Voting Monitors, FL Voter Fraud Charges Dropped, Tucker Carlson Attacks Tiffany Cross  Officials in one of Texas' most populous county is asking the DOJ to send federal monitors in response to state plans to send observers for the general election.  I'll talk to Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. All charges get dropped against a Florida man accused of voter fraud. I'll talk to Desmond Meade, the Executive Director of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, about Florida's newly funded Office of Election Crimes. Ya'll remember that black man from Connecticut who ended up paralyzed in police custody; well, all of his charges against him have been dropped.   The January 6th committee formally subpoenas Trump.  And his side-kick Steve Bannon will spend four months behind bars for defying his subpoena.  I'll explain why he's not wearing in custody yet.  The lawsuit filed by GOP-led states seeking to block the student-loan forgiveness plan gets tossed out.  Fox News' Tucker Carlson calls out MSNBC, specifically Tiffany Cross, for broadcasting open race hate.  I'll break all of that down.  In our Education Matters segment, we discuss how an organization is helping schools and parents with children with learning differences thrive.  RolandMartinUnfiltered and #BlackStarNetwork via the Cash App ☛ https://cash.app/$rmunfiltered PayPal ☛ https://www.paypal.me/rmartinunfiltered Venmo ☛https://venmo.com/rmunfiltered Zelle ☛ roland@rolandsmartin.com Annual or monthly recurring #BringTheFunk Fan Club membership via paypal ☛ https://rolandsmartin.com/rmu-paypal/ Download the #BlackStarNetwork app on iOS, AppleTV, Android, Android TV, Roku, FireTV, SamsungTV and XBox

Demetris is in Detroit, need I say more when it comes to prison corruption and crooked politicians? Convicted of murder at a young age and released under Supreme Courts recent overuling which made it unConstitutional to sentence juveniles to life in prison. Now home I ask why should we give him a second chance? We also get into some recent Judcial news as well like whats going on here in Florida with DeSantis going after American Citizens who were under the impression they could vote according to a Florida Ruling several years earlier led by an Organization known as F.R.R.P and founder Desmond Meade. Now in the middle of a Political war individuals are being rounded up who thought they were acting according to Law To support this channel all links are in the description of the channel. Any thumbnails you like or would like to have on any type of merchandise, reach out to me or search for your favorite thumbnail here.. www.streamlabs.com/freemepodcast/merch $freemepodcast (cashapp) Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChVMA7h_JAx3pyY52-OoI4Q/join Please support at www.cominghomecoalition.com 501c NONPROFIT --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thethomasfreemepodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thethomasfreemepodcast/support

Demetris is in Detroit, need I say more when it comes to prison corruption and crooked politicians? Convicted of murder at a young age and released under Supreme Courts recent overuling which made it unConstitutional to sentence juveniles to life in prison. Now home I ask why should we give him a second chance? We also get into some recent Judcial news as well like whats going on here in Florida with DeSantis going after American Citizens who were under the impression they could vote according to a Florida Ruling several years earlier led by an Organization known as F.R.R.P and founder Desmond Meade. Now in the middle of a Political war individuals are being rounded up who thought they were acting according to Law To support this channel all links are in the description of the channel. Any thumbnails you like or would like to have on any type of merchandise, reach out to me or search for your favorite thumbnail here.. www.streamlabs.com/freemepodcast/merch $freemepodcast (cashapp) Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChVMA7h_JAx3pyY52-OoI4Q/join Please support at www.cominghomecoalition.com 501c NONPROFIT --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thethomasfreemepodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thethomasfreemepodcast/support

In episode 24, the "Our Voice'' podcast welcomes back Marcus Bullock – founder and CEO of the tech start-up Flikshop. Shot in front of a live audience, on location in Orlando, Florida, during FRRC's 10th Anniversary Convening celebration, hosts Desmond Meade and Neil Volz get Marcus to share his frightening, gut-wrenching, and ultimately transformative journey. Listen as he describes growing from a young teen who was direct-filed and sentenced to a maximum security adult prison to becoming a father and successful entrepreneur in the tech sector. The development of the Flikshop mobile app enables families and non-profit organizations to send personalized postcards to any person in any cell in the US, with the mission of using social connections to decrease recidivism. By leveraging technology to keep loved ones connected, Flikshop – the “Instagram for the currently incarcerated” – is a tool that will grant hundreds of thousands of people the permission to dream and the power to transform.

Republican Congressional aide Neil Volz was convicted for conspiring to bribe members of Congress. Desmond Meade was a Black military veteran who fell into addiction, homelessness and prison. As people with a felony record, they were both stripped of their vote in the state of Florida. A chance encounter led to Desmond recruiting Neil, a white conservative, to join his audacious campaign to overturn the Jim Crow era felony voting ban. Their shared belief in second chances formed the basis of an unlikely friendship--and that friendship was one of the secret weapons in a broad multiracial, cross-partisan coalition that unleashed one of largest expansions of voting rights in US history.Organize with us. Take action @ www.thesumofuspodcast.com.TRANSCRIPT: HERECREDITS: Host and Creator: Heather McGheeOriginal Music and Theme Song by: Thee Sacred Souls Producers: Cassim Shepard, Ryan Kailath, Emilce Quiroz, Joaquin Cotler and Juan Diego Ramirez, with help from Liliana Ruiz, Sophia Lo, Susanna Kemp and Alissa VladimirSenior Producers: Nicole Rothwell, Jeanne Montalvo, and Fernanda EchavarriEditors: Sandy Rattley and Maria GarciaMix Engineers: Stephanie Lebow and Julia CarusoResearchers: Lynn Kanter and Carolyn LipkaExecutive Producer for Futuro Studios: Marlon BishopExecutive producers for Higher Ground: Mukta Mohan, Dan Fierman, Anna Holmes, and Janae MarableEditorial assistant for Higher Ground: Jenna LevinExecutive producers for Spotify: Daniel Ek, Dawn Ostroff, Julie McNamara and Corinne Gilliard  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2019, Desmond presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies. His work has resulted in being named Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year 2019. As President and Executive Director of FRRC, which is recognized for its work on voting and criminal justice reform issues, Desmond led the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen's initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida. A sought-after speaker, Desmond has made numerous appearances on radio and television, and has spoken before national organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bread for the World. Desmond has testified before Congressional members and staffers and was a part of a delegation to the United Nations where he gave testimony regarding disenfranchisement in Florida. Desmond orchestrated a historic meeting at the White House between returning citizens and President Obama's administration. He has appeared on numerous shows such as Al-Jazeera, Democracy NOW, MSNBC with Joy Ann Reid, FOX News with Dana Perino and Tucker Carlson, Samantha Bee, and All in with Chris Hayes. He is a guest columnist for the Huffington Post in which one of his articles about the death of Trayvon Martin garnered national attention. Desmond has been featured in several newspaper and magazine articles and was chosen as a “Game Changer” by Politic 365, as well as being recognized as a “Foot Soldier” on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show on MSNBC and the Breakfast Club Radio Program. Home - Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (floridarrc.com) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mastermine-mrg/message

The promise and perils of direct democracy are at the heart of the debate over voter propositions and ballot initiatives. They have emerged as one way that citizens in more than two dozen U.S. states can vote directly on policy and bring issues they care about to their fellow voters.This episode is inspired by the recent podcast series, "When The People Decide", from The McCourtney Institute for Democracy. The show's producer, writer and host, Jenna Spinelle, tells the stories of some remarkable people who have organized initiative campaigns across the country. We speak with her about the history of ballot measures, including California's Prop 13 in 1978, and more recent efforts to expand Medicaid.Ballot initiatives are "a very powerful tool that citizens have, particularly when there is broad support for change to an existing policy or law", Jenna tells us. Over the past four decades in California and elsewhere the political establishment has been frequently shaken by the results.In this episode we hear about the story of Desmond Meade, the voting rights activist who led a winning ballot initiative to change Florida's constitution to give people like him — with past felony convictions — the right to vote. Desmond is Executive Director of The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which led the campaign that resulted in America's largest expansion of voting rights since the civil rights era. We also speak about Katie Fahey, the democracy activist who led the successful grassroots effort to ban partisan gerrymandering in Michigan. At "Voters Not Politicians", she organized thousands of volunteers who collected over 425,000 voter signatures for Proposal 2, a ballot initiative amending the state constitution to create an independent redistricting commission. We also spoke at length with Katie in episode #262.Recommendation: Jim is reading "Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System" by M. Chris Fabricant. In their regular conversation at the end of the show, Jim and Richard discuss their skepticism of proposed federal ballot initiatives. Our podcasts are part of the Democracy Group podcasts network. "How Do We Fix It?" is a production of DaviesContent. We are supporting members of Bridge Alliance Education Fund. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Desmond Meade joins the podcast this week to discuss his own history and the referendum he helped lead to restore voting rights for felons in Florida. He is the executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and the author of Let My People Vote. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future…

Desmond Meade joins the podcast this week to discuss his own history and the referendum he helped lead to restore voting rights for felons in Florida. He is the executive

As the Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Desmond Meade helped lead the successful passage of Florida's Amendment 4, restoring voting rights to over a million returning citizens who had completed prison sentences yet were unable to participate in society. Desmond joins the podcast to explain how this Amendment received far-reaching bipartisan support, and why it matters so much to democracy to have voting rights restored.

This week on Gin & Justice, the ladies chat with Desmond Meade, the Executive Director of Florida Restorative Rights Coalition, about his advocacy work on behalf of millions of returning citizens.  Desmond has persevered in his work for justice involved individuals, and ultimately led the charge on the right to vote for returning citizens, ultimately getting voting rights restored for millions on Floridians with Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.FRRC is committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions.  Desmond's story is truly inspiring, incredible and courageous and you can learn more in his book, Let My People Vote.  For more information about FRRC and to learn how you can help returning citizens, or if you are a returning citizen and are looking for resources visit: https://floridarrc.com/For more on Desmond:https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2021/desmond-meade#searchresultshttps://desmondmeade.com/For Desmond's book "Let My People Vote":https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653904/let-my-people-vote-by-meade-desmond/

This episode is an exciting mash-up of presenters. We are honored to have stolen some time from our keynote and featured speakers for our 2022 Annual Meeting. Even if you listen to this after the conference, there's so much to take away from the experience and insight each of these presenters bring. First in the episode is our keynote speaker, Desmond Meade. Desmond Meade received his JD from Florida International University College of Law. Desmond is currently the President and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Desmond shares his thoughts on what the legal community, and truly us as citizens, can do to advocate for formerly incarcerated individuals.Second in the line-up are Dana Tippin Cutler and Keith Cutler. Keith and Dana are partners in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates in Kansas City, Missouri, practicing in the areas of civil defense litigation, education law, and small business representation. Dana and Keith share their perspective and experiences on diversity, equity and inclusion in the law and workplace.Dr. Tiffany Bowden rounds out the episode. As an entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Coach, and Corporate Diversity Expert, Dr. Tiffany Bowden, MA, Ph.D. has devoted her life's work to transformation at the level of the individual, interpersonal, and social. Her remarks on the cannabis industry and its impact on people of color are powerful and give us an exciting insight to her presentation. Hosts: Dr. Amanda Parker, Equity in Justice Program Manager; Tina Muscarella Gooch, Sutin, Thayer & Browne APC

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.

Desmond Meade - A formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, and a Ford Global Fellow. He joins Tavis to share his story, discuss the importance of voting rights, and to unpack his newest text - “America's Disenfranchised: Why Restoring Their Vote Can Save the Soul of Our Democracy” (Hour 2)

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.

Best-selling author and voting rights activist Desmond Meade helped restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with a previous felony conviction. He serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and is on a mission to foster more empathetic listening, equanimity, and understanding to bring about positive change in the world.

On this powerful and impactful episode of Think Hope Podcast, Hopeologist Dr. Rosalind Lewis Tompkins has a hope chat with HOPEE (Helping Others Practice Enduring Empowerment) Awardee Desmond Meade about how he was able to help get the voting rights restored for 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. During the interview with Mr. Desmond Meade we learn that he is proud to be a hope dealer as he shares his testimony of overcoming drug addiction, homelessness, and attempted suicide. Mr. Meade is a MacArthur Genius Grant Awardee and he is the president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and a graduate of Florida International University College of Law. In 2019 Time Magazine named Mr. Meade one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, as he empowers and civically re-engages local communities across the state, and reshapes local, state, and national criminal justice policies. Listen and enjoy this Think Hope podcast as we hear Hope Thoughts and feedback from two of Mothers In Crisis Christ Vision Tribe members, Minister Nettie Walker Palmore and Pastor Kwame Lewis. Hopeologist Rosalind also reads her blog What Brings Me Hope: Passing Hope on to Others that is published in the Tallahassee Democrat and Capital Outlook newspapers. For more information about Mothers In Crisis' National Month of Hope Campaign please visit: www.makeahopeconnection.com.

There's a battle over the soul of democracy today, and recently, access to the ballot box has become the site of some of the most important legislative conflicts. Across the country--Georgia, Texas, and here in Ohio--legislators and activists are clashing over whether the simple act of voting should be easy and accessible, or limited by ID requirements and other constraints.rnrnIn 2018, as the executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition--and a returning citizen himself, Desmond Meade led the movement to restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. That painstaking campaign secured a victory at the ballot box, amending the Florida constitution, and producing one of the largest expansions of voting rights in history.rnrnAt the height of the 2020 presidential race, the activist and advocate saw some of his success undone by the Florida legislature, but when he spoke as part of the City Club's Democracy Unchained series, his optimism was persistent. "We know that when we're a part of a democracy, we make it more inclusive," he said. "And when we make it more inclusive, we make our democracy more vibrant. And when we have a vibrant democracy, that's good for everyone."rnrnJoin Desmond Meade, 2021 MacArthur "genius" Fellowship recipient, for a candid presentation about the current battles over the most fundamental right in a democratic society: the right to vote.

Desmond Meade led the movement to restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Detailed show notes at https://www.ideastream.org/programs/city-club-forum/the-soul-of-democracy-of-all.

In the run-up to the 2020 election, ASBN was honored to host a conversation alongside the Movement Voter Project host “Let My People Vote,” a conversation between Desmond Meade of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Erika Alexander of Color Farm Media. As relevant today as it was just over a year ago, the dialog centered on ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions, and creating a more comprehensive and humane reentry system that will enhance successful reentry, reduce recidivism, and increase public safety. 

This week's episode of Next with Novo features Desmond Meade, a voting rights activist and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Desmond begins by walking us through his story, which started with a cycle of addiction, homelessness, and jail time. After hitting rock bottom, Desmond was able to turn things around and eventually graduated from law school with a concentration in criminal justice. Desmond then introduces us to the Florida Restoration Act, where he directed the mission to restore voting rights to those with felony convictions in Florida. We discuss the push and pull between getting people to take action, fighting the notion that people need to lose something for others to gain. Finally, Demond highlights his ultimate goal to strengthen society, starting with those who have been affected by the criminal justice system. This conversation offers an inspiring glimpse into how social change looks on the ground, and the work being done to advocate for those who have been perpetually sidelined. Desmond was named Time 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, and in 2021 he was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant. Follow Desmond on Twitter @desmondmeade and Instagram @desmondmeade44. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube and Apple Podcasts channels so you don't miss out on future episodes, and follow me: Twitter: https://twitter.com/novogratz YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/mikenovo/ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sdPneD Next with Novo is the go-to resource for what's new and what's next. In this series, Mike Novogratz, influential investor, Wall Street Veteran, and CEO at Galaxy Digital, invites viewers to learn with him from the brightest minds behind disruptive businesses, prolific social movements, and technologies powering permissionless innovation. This podcast was recorded on November 18, 2021. The Next with Novo podcast is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast constitutes an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities. The information in the podcast does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. The host is an affiliate of Galaxy Digital (host and Galaxy Digital together, the “Parties”), and the podcast represents the opinions of the host and/or guest and not necessarily that of Galaxy Digital. The Parties do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information therein. Each of the Parties expressly disclaims any and all liability relating to or resulting from the use of this information. Certain information in the podcast may have been obtained from published and non-published sources and has not been independently verified. The Parties may buy, sell or hold investments in some of the companies, digital assets or protocols discussed in this podcast. Except where otherwise indicated, the information in this video is based on matters as they exist as of the date of preparation and will not be updated.

As we've heard from Carol Anderson and others on this show, the fight for voting rights often breaks down along racial and partisan lines. Desmond Meade saw that as a problem and set out to change it by channeling our shared sense of humanity and the common good to push for change.Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, and a graduate of Florida International University College of Law. He led the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen's initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. He is a 2021 MacArthur Fellow — a recipient of the organization's prestigious genius grant — and was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2019. He received the 2021 Brown Democracy Medal from the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State.Additional InformationAmerica's Disenfranchised: Why Restoring Their Vote Can Save the Soul of Our DemocracyLet My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Civil Rights of Returning CitizensMeade's Brown Democracy Medal lectureFlorida Rights Restoration CoalitionRelated EpisodesVoter suppression doesn't repeat, but it rhymesDanielle Allen on achieving democracy's ideals

In episode 6, the "Our Voice" podcast welcomes Erin George, National Campaign Manager for The Clean State Initiative. Erin and special guest host Sheena Meade, who currently serves as Executive Director for Clean Slate, join host Desmond Meade to talk about their work to pass laws that will expand criminal record clearing, boost the economy and improve public safety.

This bi-weekly one-hour live conversation series gives the public a chance to hear directly from those impacted by the criminal justice system about the issues that impact our communities. Hosted by Desmond Meade & Neil Volz.

10.11.21 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: What happened to Jelani Day?; Black COVID patients get few medical follow-ups; Black female firefighter sues over a mural depicting her with a white face; Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana is suing Old National Bank for race-based discrimination; Desmond Meade gets his civil rights restored; After being handcuffed during a home viewing in Michigan, a Black father, his son, and their Black realtor file a federal lawsuit; Cities across the nation are restoring police budgets just one year after temporarily defunding; Jon Gruden is in hot water over a racially charged email; A North Carolina teacher resigns after reports she was treating her Black and white students differently; NC Lt. Gov. under fire for comments against LGBTQ+; Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations around the nation. #RolandMartinUnfiltered partners: Nissan | Check out the ALL NEW 2022 Nissan Frontier! As Efficient As It Is Powerful!

This week we are so excited to have Tiniesha Johnson here in The Field. Tiniesha is a single mother of four. A number of years ago, having lost her job and desperate to support her family, she agreed to participate in an armed bank robbery with her brother - a decision that altered the trajectory of her life. After spending 10 months in incarceration, she was able to return to her family and spent months trying to find a job. Eventually, she ended up in Florida and now works with the Florida Restoration Rights Coalition, an organization you heard about in Episode 1 with Desmond Meade, it's executive director. For more information on Tiniesha: Work Website: floridarrc.com, DONATE HERE! Tiniesha's Business: Tini's Soulfood & Sweets, Instagram For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Desmond Meade, one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2019, spent a number of his younger years in and out of incarceration. In this episode, we discuss the criminalization of addiction, homelessness and poverty. How addiction and hopelessness led Desmond to the brink of taking his own life. And the challenges he still faces, all these years and many accolades later, as a result of his conviction. For more information on Desmond: Instagram: @desmondmeade44 Website: floridarrc.com And to support the fines and fees fund, click the link below, all donations are so appreciated: Amendment 4 Fines and Fees Campaign A Project of FRRC Education Fund. For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Your favorite democracy duo is back with another electric episode featuring Desmond Meade of Florida Rights Restoration and The Equity Alliance Direct Impact Fellows: Terrance Simpson, Big Fridge, Robert Sherrill, and Daniel Westbrooks. Participants share how their personal stories of challenge and triumph have led them to be community leaders, entrepreneurs, and voting rights restoration advocates. Charlane and Tequila are Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of The Equity Alliance. Porch Politics is recorded LIVE from our porch every other Thursday at 6 pm CT. You can stream it on The Tennessee Holler or wait for it to drop as a podcast wherever you listen. Porch Politics is part of The TN Holler Podcast Network. Visit www.tnholler.com to keep up with The Tennessee Holler's relentless coverage that seeks to lift up progressive voices and shine a light on injustices throughout Tennessee. Music attribution: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

9.23.20 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Grand jury decision in Breonna Taylor case; Georgia GOP pushback against absentee ballot deadline; Felon voting rights activist Desmond Meade denied clemency; It's National Expungement Week and activists are working to restore the rights of the disenfranchised; In our our Black tech segment we take a look at a Black telecommunications company. Support #RolandMartinUnfiltered via the Cash App ☛ https://cash.app/$rmunfiltered or via PayPal ☛https://www.paypal.me/rmartinunfiltered  #RolandMartinUnfiltered Partners: 2020 Census  In America, everyone counts. And the 2020 Census is how that great promise is kept. Respond today online, by phone or by mail and help inform hundreds of billions in funding for education, health programs, and more. Shape your future. Start here at www.2020census.gov.  #RolandMartinUnfiltered Partner: Ceek  Whether you're a music enthusiast or an ultra-base lover. CEEK's newly released headphones hear sound above, below and from multiple directions unlike traditional headphones where users only hear sound from left and right speakers. Be the first to own the world's first 4D, 360 Audio Headphones and mobile VR Headset. Check it out on www.ceek.com and use the promo code RMVIP2020  #RolandMartinUnfiltered is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.