Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

Lanese Martin

The Hood Incubator
Lanese Martin spearheads The Hood Incubator's political strategy, including base-building, community organizing, and policy advocacy work. Her work as the Field Director for an Oakland based nonprofit led to deep relationships with non-profits & Black & Brown communities not only in Oakland but across California. Lanese also currently serves on the City of Oakland's Cannabis Regulatory Committee. Lanese has a BA in Political Science & Minor in Business and an MBA, both from Dominican University of California.

Presentations from Facing Race 2020

Cannabis Legalization and Economic Justice for Black and Brown Communities

This session will examine cannabis legalization through the lens of racial and economic justice by giving participants an overview of the impact of the War on Drugs in Black and Brown communities, making the case for why it is both crucial and timely to develop policy solutions to repair the legacy of structural disinvestment catalyzed by disproportionate surveillance and arrest rates throughout the 80s, 90s and today.

Public discourse currently focuses on the need to diversify dispensary ownership, but this session will touch on the intersections between racial justice and the emerging cannabis industry that are commonly overlooked, such as: Access to capital and financing; Automatic record expungement; Workforce development and parity; Tax structures and allocation; Spatial distribution of cannabis businesses ("Green Zones"); Disparities in licensing and enforcement in the legal market, and how the tension between federal and state/local cannabis policy can pose unique challenges for those who rely on federal benefits like public housing and cash assistance.

Panelists will highlight the unique strategies and alliances between grassroots advocacy and the government sector that have been instrumental in pushing forth equity initiatives in California and beyond, and will share their challenges, frustrations and lessons learned from developing social equity programs across the country.

Speakers: Juell Stewart, Lanese Martin, Kiana Hughes