"[28] The case led to Trump's support of the First Step Act,[29] which, among other things, retroactively applies the Fair Sentencing Act and increases the number of good conduct time credits prisoners receive. While researching a paper on how race impacted sentencing for her Critical Race Theory class, she came across the case of Sharanda Jones, a woman who had been sentenced to life without parole for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. More recently, she was part of the legal team that helped secure clemency from President Trump for Alice Johnson. But Im not playing those games anymore. She not only frees them from prison, she . Despite being sentenced to life in prison with no parole, he says he never gave up hope that he would be free one day. Chris Young said he plans on working with Barnett on other justice reform projects in the future. Even with all of that, I still love East Texas. [3] One of her clients, Corey Jacobs, forwarded her the sermon to cheer her up when she was discouraged due to setbacks in his case. Election: Two stepping forward, three stepping back, Lies of All Sizes: The story of Justin Costellos $35 million fraud, California companies debut new Scratch n Sniff stickers on packaging, Federal and provincial governments announce $7.5 million fund for indigenous cannabis. Were also partnering with law firms that will take these cases pro bono so that we can scale and provide more impact. In her riveting debut,A Knock at Midnight:A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom,Ms. Barnett sharesthe powerful story of her awakening to the inhumanity of Americas criminal justice system and her ongoing fight to unlock the human potential trapped senselessly behind bars. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides support for girls with mothers in prison. Her address is, Your email address will not be published. New, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom. Dont miss Marijuana Ventures special section on edibles! Semi-Annual Crime Stats Report, Students Faculty AlumniFaculty DirectoryVote EverywhereLaw ClinicsUn(re)solved Exhibition, Policies & Forms Information Technology Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) Student Accommodations. Moderna announced its experimental RSV vaccine has been successful during trials. [23] The witnesses in her trial consisted of fellow drug offenders who testified in exchange for lighter sentences. After submitting her paper, Joness case plagued Barnett, and she wrote to Jones offering her assistance; the women began corresponding through email. His doors are never unlocked. Education is definitely key and there are local grassroots organizations people can find in their area that focus on transforming the criminal justice system that can help them get involved locally. BONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy of Ms. Barnetts book A Knock at Midnight from FANs partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Ms. Barnett and Ms. Bishop that will start immediately after the webinar. It wasnt the stereotype you hear about with gang wars and rioting. MV: Obviously, the inauguration of President Joe Biden probably brings back some uncertainty, but what are your early thoughts about how the Biden administration will impact criminal justice reform? As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, Brittany knows first-hand the impact of mass incarceration is far reaching, devastating families and entire communities. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. MV: Thats an incredible level of disproportion. Its not just a war on drugs; its a war on communities of color. Gun safety and children: Are free locks enough? She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses - including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. Barnet endeavors to show the world that once-incarcerated people can thrive and succeed in life once they have access to resources. Most people think of prisoners as people unworthy of compassion or love. Dallas, TX 75204-2335. The heartbeat. Barnett is also in the process of launching a venture capital fund to ensure formerly incarcerated people have access to capital and resources so they can have what she calls life after life.. Many of them were family. REGISTRATION REQUIREDfor all FAN webinar events. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defender's Office and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Brittany is also the author of, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom, a memoir detailing how her journey transformed her understanding of injustice in the courts, of genius languishing behind bars, and the very definition of freedom itself. They have to let people go home if they meet the criteria. The program aimed at helping girls reduce the trauma of having a parent in prison and giving them hope for a better life. I really wanted the South to shine in the book. [26] The White House released a statement, saying "While this Administration will always be very tough on crime, it believes that those who have paid their debt to society and worked hard to better themselves while in prison deserve a second chance. In this TED Talk, Brittany K. Barnett shares her vision for the Manifest Freedom Fund. A friend named Keyon got life without parole after being named as an accomplice by alleged dealers arrested in a police raid. BKB: Absolutely. [8] she is a Practitioner-in-Residence at Southern Methodist University's Deason Family Criminal Justice Reform Center. Girls Embracing Mothers was born from my experience of having a mother incarcerated, Barnett said. [3], Multiple clients of Barnett took advantage of the clemency initiative President Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder began in 2014. [2], Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst, was a complex litigation attorney. I always knew that I was going to get Chris Young free. Thats how we can begin to change hearts and minds. And I was in prison in my mind and my neighborhood before I went to prison, said Young. Through her criminal justice work, Brittany has encountered some of the most brilliant minds humanity has to offer. What kind of impact do you see that having culturally and on society in general? So far the fund has started two tech startups, two food trucks, and a cannabis brand. Named after the purest love Brittany has ever known, her grandmother Lena, Milena Reign cultivates content and talent from two special groups: (1) those directly impacted by the criminal justice system and (2) those from Brittany's beloved South - helping them lean into their gifts of storytelling to inspire the world. Her organization has received funding and endorsement from television personality Kim Kardashian. It was about demonizing and criminalizing users and dealers. She grew up in an environment close to drug culture. Chris was a catalyst and became a poster child for my issues and the federal justice system. Check out this Octobers living the dream featur. I knew my mom had a drug problem, but I didnt realize she had a disease. From Fulbright to the White House, the beautifully written, often haunting. Clemency shouldnt be this big news story every once in a while. "[22], Trenton Copeland was profiled in Rolling Stone magazine for his petition for clemency to President Obama after receiving a life sentence for three nonviolent drug offenses. President Obama granted more clemencies than all modern-day presidents combined. Now They Sell Drama. It implemented the 100-to-1 ratio that was arbitrary and had no rational basis other than that its no secret that more affluent white people were using powder cocaine at the time and crack cocaine was running rampant through Black communities. The argument is that they shouldnt have been sentenced to life. TX License Date: 11/04/2011. Commerce. Whenever I think of it, I think of family. More than 30 people were arrested. MV: What takes up the bulk of your time right now? BKB: I came to terms with trauma. [7] She later came across the similar case of Donal Clark, who was serving a 30-year sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. A decorated attorney and activist, Brittany K. Barnett has been named one of America's most Outstanding Young Lawyers by the American Bar Association, and was on the 2019 list of Essence's "Woke 100." Contact us to learn more about booking Brittany K. Barnett for your next event. As an SMU law student interning in a Houston court, Barnett had a front-row seat to the horrors created by the mandatory minimum laws sending generations of Black Texans to federal prison. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? The light at the end of the tunnel just became really, really bright, said Barnett. Marijuana Venture is the leading B2B monthly publication for the cannabis industry. investor. She claims that laws in the United States unjustly put some people in prison whereas better systems would be used to improve their lives. Brittany K.s income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. BKB: I think one of the ways they can help bring justice is to educate themselves about the law and how the system works, whether through reading my book or other books like Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson or The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or even watching Ava DuVernays amazing documentary called 13th on Netflix. Those seeking her can find her through the phone number (214) 919-4421. Award-winning attorney and founder of the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers, XVI Capital Partners, and Milena Reign LLC, Assistant Public Defender, Cook County Public Defenders Office, and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Brittany K. Barnett. And we did. So, how much is Brittany K. Barnett networth at the age of 19 years old? Bogota. Before shifting her entire focus toward civil rights endeavors, Barnett was on track for a lucrative career as a corporate lawyer, working on mergers and acquisitions. [1] She grew up in an environment close to drug culture. And thats the beautiful part of our journey. How do I get to economic liberation? Im proud to say Im an investor in Sharandas food truck, and Im really excited about helping launch more projects just like that one. Theyre serving life sentences today under yesterdays drug laws, so Im hoping we take several more steps toward restoring a sense of fairness that should be at the heart of the criminal legal system. While Kim Kardashian West has been getting credit for her "efforts" in prison reform, these are the ladies actually putting in the work. [13] Commentary on her involvement ranged from praise, to assertions that it was a public relations stunt, to accusations that she was taking the credit for work she did not do. Ms. Bishop appears in several documentaries, two TEDx talks, and the CBS 48 Hours segment Road to Redemption. She is the author of a memoir, Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy and Making Peace with My Sisters Killer and the recently released Grace from the Rubble: Two Fathers Road to Reconciliation After the Oklahoma City Bombing. Sometimes we can be one-dimensional in how we create change, and I want to be a part of change that isnt just about capital or policy. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NewsNation Now) Faced with two life sentences in jail, Chris Young was told the only way out was death. May 25, 2021. Questions about the accreditation of Southern University and A&M College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOCs website (www.sacscoc.org). Under the federal Three Strike law, defendants receive mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if they have three federal convictions for serious violent felonies or crimes related to drug trafficking. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Learn How much net worth Brittany K. is in this year and how she spend her expenses? But he still has two years left, said Barnett. In Barnetts words, this was the doors unlocked, windows wide open part of Texas. Dad arrested after video shows toddler with gun: Whats next? Her work has been featured in many news and print media. [22] The sentencing judge in the case, Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr., wrote a letter advocating for Jacobs's petition for clemency, explaining that he would not have handed down a life sentence if he had not been required to do so by law. 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