WE GOT US NOW podcast

The title for this campaign was born out of a colloquial phrase that incarcerated people sometimes use to describe the life of their sentence, plus one day (e.g. “I have 20 years and a wake up”). It also serves as a double-entendre, calling for our country to “wake up” to the harsh and dangerous realities of mass incarceration in America. To learn more, go to, https://www.sentencingproject.org/advocacy/50-years-and-a-wake-up-ending-the-mass-incarceration-crisis-in-america/

This informative, educational BONUS episode is not to be missed!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org| Instagram: @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

LISTEN to the FULL SEASON of the WE GOT US NOW Podcast on SPOTIFY, APPLE Podcasts and all podcasts platforms.

#WEGOTUSNOW  #50YearsandAWakeUp #TheSentencing Project #10MillionInspired #WellBeing #SocialConnection #Community #50Years #endlifeimprisonment #massincarceration #endmassincarceration ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents  #keepfamiliesconnected #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram: @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

In this episode, DeRonte shares powerful principles with our WE GOT US NOW community on how he has maintained his success and motivation to thrive personally and professionally. His commitment to get his biggest supporter, his Dad, Ronald Criag, home who after 24 years in prison is not eligible for release until 2040 and his journey to creating digital marketing agency, nine27.co.

This episode is not to be missed! 

#WEGOTUSNOW #10MillionInspired #WellBeing #SocialConnection #Community #Actionist #DeRonteCraig #ActionistinAction #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #keepfamiliesconnected #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org| Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org| Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org| Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

WE GOT US NOW #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series WELCOME to Season 3 of the WE GOT US NOW Podcast series.

For our 5th annual #KeepFamiliesConnected multimedia campaign series that runs from Mother's Day through Father's Day, WE spotlight our community voices, bring awareness to 50 Years of Mass Incarceration in 2023, and uplift our allies working to reform the criminal legal system and create a a just, equitable society that seeks to keep justice-impacted families connected.️

S3 | EP 1: TIFFANY BROWN ~ Developing Despite Distance: 3Dimensional Leadership, Lived Expertise & Elevating Black Boys ️

Tiffany Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a WE GOT US NOW Actionist from the inaugural cohort representing Detroit, Michigan. She is the Founder/ Executive Director of Developing Despite Distance ~ a Michigan based nonprofit that supports young men of color, ages 10-18, with a justice impacted parent, and works to empower these youth to develop positively despite the distance of their incarcerated parent. Fueled by her own lived experience and professional expertise, Tiffany has created a phenomenal program that addresses the challenges and intricate details that these youth face and helps them to develop coping strategies that empower them to keep going and on a trajectory towards success. 

SPECIAL FEATURE: Developing Despite Distance Member - Armone

This is an episode, not to be missed!

#WeGotUsNow #TiffanyBrown #3DDetroit #DevelopingDespiteDistance #10MillionInspired #FortheYouth #WellBeing #SocialConnection #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #MassIncarceration #endmassincarceration #ParentsBehindBars #Family #RankedTop10 #WeGotUsNowPodcast  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

In 2022, they epitomize what the meaning of a Second Chance can look like for a daughter, a father, a family and a community as the Dream Corps Justice North Carolina Empathy Network Leaders. Together, they hosted the North Carolina Dream Corps Justice #DayofEmpathy ~ an event that consisted of three different sessions centering on Expression, Impact and Community from the experiences and voices of the directly impacted. Today, Ashley and Orrin are leading the charge, as subject matter experts, from North Carolina on the importance of the proposed EQUAL ACT by educating and informing legislators and policymakers.  

This EPISODE is one NOT TO BE MISSED!   

#WeGotUsNow 🌍 #AshleyJackson #OrrinJackson #ReunificationCelebration #ActionistinAction #FortheKids #DreamCorpsJustice  #FortheFuture #SecondChances #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowCommunity #WeGotUsNowAllies #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

️Eric Gonzalez made history in November 2017 when he became the first Latino District Attorney elected in New York State. He had been appointed Acting District Attorney by Governor Andrew Cuomo a year earlier following the tragic death of his predecessor, the late Ken Thompson, for whom Gonzalez had served as Chief Assistant District Attorney.

️Since his appointment to lead the office, DA Gonzalez has implemented his own trailblazing initiatives, including bail reform, a Young Adult Court, expansion of non-prosecution of marijuana possession, a pre-court diversion program for low-level drug offenders and a policy to reduce unfair immigration consequences in criminal cases.

Following his swearing in as District Attorney, Gonzalez launched a ground-breaking initiative known as Justice 2020, to help him carry out his vision of keeping Brooklyn safe and strengthening trust in our justice system by ensuring fairness and equal justice for all. Justice 2020 consists of a 17-point action plan – created by a committee of criminal justice reform experts, defense groups, service providers, law enforcement, formerly incarcerated individuals, clergy and community leaders – to make the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office a national model of what a progressive prosecutor’s office can be. This blueprint aims to transform the work of Gonzalez’s office by shifting toward preventative and accountability solutions with a track record of success, and away from over-reliance on criminal convictions and incarceration.

DA Gonzalez grew up in East New York and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and attended John Dewey High School in Coney Island. He graduated from Cornell University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in government and history. In 1995, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was president of the Latino Law Students Association.

#WeGotUsNow 🌍 #DAEricGonzalez #BrooklynDA #FortheKids #FairandJustProsecution #FortheFuture #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowCommunity #WeGotUsNowAllies #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

For our 4th annual #KeepFamiliesConnected multimedia campaign series that runs from Mother's Day through Father's Day this year WE will highlight directly impacted advocates as well as allies in the work to reform the criminal legal system and create a fair and just society that seeks to keep families connected.

S2 | EP 4: CHRISTINE NORBUT BEYER ~ POWERFUL FAMILIES, POWERFUL COMMUNITIES

Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW has been Commissioner of the NJ Department of Children and Families since 2018. She is redefining the agency as a prevention-focused, child and family serving department, with a vision to help keep all New Jerseyans safe, healthy and connected. Under her leadership, the Department of Children and Families has reduced out of home removals and made historic investments in children's mental health. Some of her ground-breaking initiatives include, preventing maltreatment and promoting strong families pioneering constituent voices including amplifying youth voices, increasing kinship and familiar placements, supporting evidence-based, data-driven contracting; reducing staff safety incidents; evolving the integrated, inclusive system of care for children with behavioral and developmental diagnoses; promoting ACEs prevention, and transforming child welfare. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Beyer served as a Senior Director and Strategic Consultant at Casey Family Programs, a national child welfare foundation, focused on improving outcomes for children and families. In her capacity as a national child welfare consultant, she supported the efforts of public child welfare agencies, the judiciary and governors in creating better outcomes for at-risk children and families and had the opportunity to delve deeply into the areas of brain science, ACEs, and trauma-informed care and the intersection with child welfare. These are policy areas she continues to pursue at the Department of Children and Families. Commissioner Beyer and her staff at NJ DCF is an ally of WE GOT US NOW.

#WeGotUsNow #ChristineNorbutBeyer #NJDCF #NJCommissioner #DepartmentofChildrenandFamilies  #ChildWelfareSystem #PowerfulFamiliesPowerfulCommunities  #FortheKids #FortheFuture #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #KinshipCare  #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowCommunity  #WeGotUsNowAllies #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter: @WE_GOTUSNOW

For our 4th annual #KeepFamiliesConnected multimedia campaign series that runs from Mother's Day through Father's Day this year WE will highlight directly impacted advocates as well as allies in the work to reform the criminal legal system and create a fair and just society that seeks to keep families connected.

S2 | EP 3: DR. ALEXANDRIA PECH, PH.D ~ Centering BIPOC Women + Girls in Research 

Dr. Alexandria Pech, Ph.D is a researcher and WE GOT US NOW Actionist from the inaugural cohort. She is a First Generation Latina Doctora. She graduated in MAY 2022 as a Doctor of Philosophy with a Ph.D in Family Studies and Human Development at The University of Arizona. She represents 3% of Latinas with a doctoral degree. She is a child of a formerly incarcerated parent and has experienced a parent in prison for more than half of her life.  For her dissertation research study, she has conducted the Adolescent Girls of Color, Identity & Familial Incarceration study. The study centers adolescent Black and Brown cisgender and transgender girls experiencing parental and familial incarceration. Her research interests include: Youth Participatory Action Research; Adolescent development among youth of color, particularly those with incarcerated parents; using Critical Race Theory; and using counterstory methodology. She has been a leading voice and advocate for children and young adults with incarcerated parents in the states of Arizona and California.

#WeGotUsNow #AlexandriaPech #DrPech #DirectlyImpactedScholar #FortheKids #FortheFuture #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter @WE_GOTUSNOW

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter @WE_GOTUSNOW

For our 4th annual #KeepFamiliesConnected multimedia campaign series that runs from Mother's Day through Father's Day this year WE will highlight directly impacted advocates as well as allies in the work to reform the criminal legal system and create a fair and just society that seeks to keep families connected.

S2 | EP 1: ISABEL CORONADO ~ Disrupting Systemic Oppression for Children and Families 

Isabel Coronado a daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a policy expert and researcher is on a mission to bring awareness and solutions to the issues impacting children of incarcerated parents and the mass incarceration of Native American people. She works as a Research Scholar in the Litmus program at NYU’s Marron Institute, where she coordinates the Family-Based Justice Center, a national technical-assistance center that helps localities, states, and tribal nations create programs to keep families together through comprehensive services instead of sending parents or primary caregivers to prison. Prior to her research work at NYU, Isabel was a Policy Entrepreneur at the NEXT 100 where she researched, advocated for, and wrote an original policy proposal on behalf of children who experience parental incarceration. Prior to that, she helped create the American Indian Criminal Justice Navigation Council (AICJNC), a nonprofit in Oklahoma aimed at reducing recidivism among tribal members and helping reduce the trauma family members endure as a result. At AICJNC, Isabel served as deputy director. Isabel was selected by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as a 2018 Champions for Change recipient, Mvskoke Women’s Leadership as the 2019 College Student of the Year, and by Mvskoke Youth Council as the 2020 Youth Visionary in promoting civic engagement. Isabel received her BS in 2017 from Northeastern State University, and her master’s of public health with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations from Oklahoma State University in 2019.

#IsabelCoronado #WeGotUsNow #FortheKids #FortheFuture #ChildrewithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org | Instagram @WE_GOTUSNOW | Twitter @WE_GOTUSNOW

WE GOT US NOW #KeepFamiliesConnected series  

FATHER'S DAY EDITION:
#FREETONYLEWIS:
Fostering Cultural Redemption  

In this seventh and final episode of the #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series. WE spotlight WE GOT US NOW Actionist, Tony Lewis Jr and his journey  of being a child impacted by the incarceration of his Dad, Tony Lewis.

As an only child, Tony Lewis Jr shares  some of the worst collateral consequences of mass incarceration. Amidst all of it, Tony describes how he's endured the last 32 years with his dad behind bars, as a community leader,  husband,  father and Actionist.  

COMMITTED to family, Tony Lewis Jr  is seeking relief for his father, Tony Lewis Sr''s, extremely harsh sentence.   

LISTEN as Tony shares his quest to rebuild his community through violence prevention, social justice advocacy and redemption through family,  community and love.

To Learn More About to Support Tony Lewis Jr's efforts, go to www.FREETONYLEWIS.com

This Father's Day conversation is NOT TO BE MISSED!

Featured guests:
#FREETonyLewis  #ActionistinAction #HappyFathersDay  #TonyLewisJr
  

#WeGotUsNow
#KeepFamiliesConnected
#FortheKids #FortheFuture
#ParentsBehindBars  #KeepFamiliesConnectedseries #TheCostofConnection
#WeGotUsNowCommunity
#ChildrewithIncarceratedParents
#ThePOWERofWE

WE GOT US NOW 

AMIRA ⭐ CAMAYA ⭐ KA'MIYA :

The Cost Of Connection 

In this sixth episode of the #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series. WE spotlight (3) Eleven year old girls from our  WE GOT US NOW Jr Actionist leaders community,  AMIRA, CAMAY & KA'MIYA give in-depth accounts about their personal experiences of having a parent behind bars, the cost of staying connected to their incarcerated parents emotionally, physically and financially and the POWERFUL solutions they each offer to decision makers about supporting children with incarcerated parents. This incredibly moving conversation is NOT TO BE MISSED!

GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org to LEARN MORE!!

Featured guests:  #AmiraCamayaKamiya  #21stCenturyLeaders  #JrActionist 

#WeGotUsNow  #KeepFamiliesConnected 

#FortheKids #FortheFuture  #WeGotUsNowCommunity

#ParentsBehindBars  #KeepFamiliesConnectedseries #TheCostofConnection 

#ChildrewithIncarceratedParents

#ThePOWERofWE 

WE GOT US NOW
#KeepFamiliesConnected series:  

ANTOINE DIGITAL X JAY JAY DIGITAL
How Dad & Daughter bridge Tech x Family

In this fifth episode, WE spotlight father @antoine.digital and daughter @jayjay.digital and their remarkable story of turning a negative into a positive by utilizing tech to bridge families together through their nonprofit, PhotoPatchFoundation and their educational tech academy, @Unlock.Academy

Antoine, a formerly incarcerated dad, was sentenced to 8 years in prison at the tender age of 20 years old. He left his 3-year old daughter, Jay Jay, behind and was troubled by the challenges of prison communications and staying connected to his daughter.

While incarcerated Antoine took the opportunity to pursue higher education to learn software development and coding. Once home, Antoine decided to bring solutions to the disconnect he encountered while incarcerated and he and his 12-year daughter, Jay Jay launched the PhotoPatch App, a unique nonprofit app allowing youth to communicate with their incarcerated parents FOR FREE!

Antoine Digital & Jay Jay Digital are inspiring leaders in the tech space as a Daddy Daughter duo who have impacted the lives of over 25,000 children and families affected by mass incarceration that have benefitted from Photo Patch App. Today, they are teaching youth and adults how to code with their educational tech academy, UNLOCK.ACADEMY.

This is a MUST LISTEN to Episode POWERED by #OpenPhilanthropyProject

Featured guests: #AntoineDigital #JayJayDigital

#WeGotUsNow 🌍
#UnlockAcademy #PhotoPatch #PhotoPatchFoundation #DaddyDaughterLove #Tech #App #Coding #KeepFamiliesConnectedseries #FortheFuture #FortheKids #massincarceration #Family #OpenPhilanthropyProject #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowPodcas

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org

WE GOT US NOW #KeepFamiliesConnected series:  

PETE MONSANTO: Run For His Life
In this fourth episode, WE feature the story of photographer, deejay and influencer, Pete Monsanto and the documentary film, Run For His Life.

Pete details, in this captivating conversation with We Got Us Now Founder/CEO, Ebony Underwood, the 34 years of seperation he has endured away from his Dad due to incarceration, the personal choices and challenges he faced throughout his life and his decision to run the NYC marathon on behalf of his incarcerated father.

Pete's journey of turning pain to power is a motivating one for young people who have been impacted by parental incarceration and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents.

This MUST LISTEN to episode is POWERED by Odyssey Impact.

Featured guests: #PeteMonsanto

#WeGotUsNow #RunForHisLife  #R4HL #KeepFamiliesConnectedseries #FortheFuture #FortheKids #massincarceration #OdysseyImpact #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents  #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowPodcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org

WE GOT US NOW #KeepFamiliesConnected series:  

SHALEI HEFLIN: Pageants, Prayers & Parental Incarceration

In this third episode of the #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series, WE spotlight We Got Us Now Actionist, Shalei Heflin's story about growing up with her parents incarcerated and the challenges that have come along with it. Shalei shares about her entry into the Miss America pageant and the importance of her spiritual foundation. WE hear about her determination to be an advocate for children and young adults impacted by parental incarceration and her journey to obtain her masters degree. Shalei is a resilient, go-getter and advocate, who in MAY 2021 received her Masters degree from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.  CONGRATULATIONS Shalei!!!

Featured guests: #ShaleiHeflin /  Instagram: ShaleiHeflin

#WeGotUsNow #FortheFuture #ChildrenwithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents #ParentsBehindBars #KeepFamiliesConnectedseries #WeGotUsNowPodcast 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org

WE GOT US NOW  #KeepFamiliesConnected series ⭐
ASHLEY JACKSON: 30+ Years Away From My Father is ENOUGH  ⭐ In this second episode of the #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series, WE spotlight We Got Us Now Actionist, Ashley Jackson's personal story about her advocacy for her Father Orrin Jackson's sentence reduction. Ashley is the ONLY child of Orrin Jackson and after 32 years in prison she wants her Dad home. WE will hear about the trials and tribulations Ashley and her family have endured over the past 3 decades and uplift Ashley's resilient spirit in her advocacy efforts to seek her Father's release from prison. ⭐
SIGN + SHARE ASHLEY's PETITION
Featured guests: #AshleyJackson #FreeOrrinJackson

#WeGotUsNow #FortheKids #FortheFuture #ChildrewithIncarceratedParents #ProtectOurParents #ParentsBehindBars #WeGotUsNowPodcast 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO www.WEGOTUSNOW.org

WE GOT US NOW | MOTHER'S DAY 2021

For our 3rd annual #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series. WE launch the first episode of our multimedia series from Mother's Day through Father's Day. This episode will highlight + uplift daughters seeking justice for their  Mother's behind bars and the importance of remembering those still lingering behind bars stuck in legal limbo.

Featured Guests, include: #MiquelleWest seeking justice for her Mom, #FreeMichelleWest 💐 #TretessaJohnson who sought clemency for her now Presidential Pardoned Mother, #AliceMarieJohnson 💐 #ClarissaBrown who sought justice for her Mom, clemency recipient #LavonneRoach 💐 #ChristinaMartinez who advocated for  her Mom, Melinda Carmichael 💐 #CamayaAlstonMoore who advocates for her Mom, Maya Moore behind bars 💐 Thanks to #MiriamKrinsky + #FairJustProsecution for their insight + commitment to justice. 

#WeGotUsNow 🌍  #HappyMothersDay #FortheKids #FortheFuture #ChildrewithIncarceratedParents #WeGotUsNowPodcast  NEW EPISODES ** EVERY SUNDAY MAY 9 - JUNE 20** #KEEPFAMILIESCONNECTED SERIES

Here's a sneak peak into the historically invisible population of 10 million children and young adults with parents behind bars and the collateral consequences they experience due to mass incarceration in the United States. To learn more, go to:  WEGOTUSNOW.org