Meek Mill and Jay-Z Team Up to Launch Criminal Justice Reform Organization
Jay-Z and Meek Mill are joining forces with business, entertainment and sports industry leaders to launch a new criminal justice initiative called REFORM Alliance.
On Wednesday (January 24) the pair appeared in a press conference to introduce the new organization – which aims to tackle the issues in our criminal justice system by drastically reducing the number of people who are serving unjust parole and probation sentences.
In addition to the two rappers, other founding partners include Kraft CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai, Vista Equity Partners founder Robert F. Smith, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, Galaxy Digital founder Michael E. Novogratz and Third Point LLC founder Daniel S. Loeb. CNN Political commenter and author Van Jones will also serve as CEO.
Meek first gained national attention when he was sentenced to two to four years in prison for violating probation stemming from a 2008 conviction – which fuled the #FreeMeekMill movement until he was released on bail. Since his release from prison, the Philadelphia native has done what he can to shine a light on the issues in our criminal justice system and giving a voice to the voiceless.
“I got caught up in the system and every time I started to further my life with the music industry … every year or two it was something that brought me back to ground zero, and it was probation,” Meek said during Wednesday’s press conference.
While in jail, various celebrities, including Jay-Z, rallied for his release and backed the #FreeMeekMill movement on social media. In November, Jay penned an op-ed for The New York Times where he highlights the county’s parole system and took up justice for Meek and those who are crippled by the system.
To make a donation to the REFORM Alliance, visit the website here.
Photo Credit:NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 23: Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter speaks onstage during the launch of The Reform Alliance at John Jay College on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 23: Meek Mill speaks onstage during the launch of The Reform Alliance at John Jay College on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance)
