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

ML Smith

Founder/Director | Missouri Justice Coalition (MoJustice)
Pronouns: She/Her
ML Smith is a criminal punishment system-impacted advocate, abolitionist and activist, who is intimately aware of the dire reality faced by our imprisoned populations, as well as the egregious actions and apathy of institutional actors. Being a Black, disabled, system-impacted woman who has experienced generational poverty is the foundation of her ideological framework, rooted in advocating for those suffering & struggling within a society created and built to oppress, marginalize and dehumanize targeted, vulnerable communities. ML’s advocacy efforts extend to all facets of mass incarceration, including wrongful convictions, legislation and decarceration. ML founded MoJustice and is the Co-Director of MADP

Twitter: @MoJusticeOrg
Facebook: Page/Profile
Instagram: @MoJusticeOrg_
LinkedIn: Profile

Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Building a Statewide Prison Advocacy Movement in Missouri; the most northern State of the South: Strategy, Obstacles & Necessity

MoJustice was founded by a formerly incarcerated person to serve as the unifying entity to do what has never been done before: building a statewide prison advocacy movement in Missouri. Our goal is to bring together stakeholders including individuals impacted by the criminal punishment system, concerned community members, litigators, and experts.

Our mission is to educate, empower, and unite these community members, transforming them into a powerful advocacy base. Through collaborative efforts, we strive to drive meaningful reforms within the Missouri prison system, addressing the systemic injustices, inhumane conditions, and absence of accountability.

I firmly believe that collective amplification and collective action are essential in building a statewide base of effective and sustained prison advocacy.

In this breakout session, we will discuss the strategy, obstacles, and collaborations in building this advocacy movement and the dire conditions in Missouri prisons that necessitate such a huge undertaking.

Speakers: ML Smith, Ronnie Amiyn, Sheena Eastburn, Maurice Davis