Case Study: Until We Are All Free Movement

Case Study: Until We Are All Free Movement

InflexionPoint Podcast

Episode 81 | March 5, 2025

Until We Are All Free is a Movement founded with the goal of supporting, empowering, creating alternative pathways to success, and advocating for systemic change in the criminal justice system.

Tune in to the latest episode of InflexionPoint Podcast where we are dedicated to the art of listening in authentic conversation on a variety of topics related to community gnagement.

The core question of this episode:What can happen when active engagement is present in prison reform conversations? Here’s an even deeper question: Is it possible to build trust into prison-reform efforts?

Video by RDNE Stock Project on Pexels.com

2025 Theme: Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change

Kevin Reese says Until We Are All Free has been able to create partnerships to make positive changes for the incarcerated, as well as for himself. 5 years forward from sitting in a cell, he is a homeowner, a business owner, a father to be, and contributor to what he calls the human family, and his community.

“Because I believe that the issues that we see in the world, the solutions are embodied in bodies that we have locked inside of cages. So to not only unleash them–it’s not good enough to just free them. But we also need to free their dreams. That's what the human family is missing. We are a family that is walking around missing all of these other contributions to our family, our natural assets. And that's what Until We Are Free does.” — Kevin Reese, Founder/Co-Director of Until We Are All Free Movement

Call to Action

#StayWOKE – Well-informed. Open-minded. Kind. Empathetic. 
#VOTE – Voices Organized To Empower.

In this episode our case study attention is focused on the Until We Are All Free Movement, a human rights organization led by formerly incarcerated criminal justice experts. They focus on building capital, resources, and support to provide pathways to civic and economic liberation for individuals disenfranchised by mass incarceration.

Segment 1 - History of the Until We Are All Free Movement: Kevin Reese

The history of Until We Are All Free traces back to the founders’ personal experience with the criminal justice system.

After being incarcerated and facing the challenges of reentry, the organization co-founders, Kevin Reese and Kahlee Griffey, recognized the need for comprehensive support and resources for formerly incarcerated individuals, led by formerly incarcerated individuals (a reflection of common experiences).

Kevin Reese – Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of UWAAF & Founder/CEO of Until We Are All Free Consulting Group, grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and spent 14 years incarcerated inside of the criminal justice system. During that time, he founded the BRIDGE, a grassroots group of directly impacted criminal justice experts whose mission is to abolish mass incarceration and to find a path to true transformative criminal justice.

Segment 2 - History of the Until We Are All Free Movement: Kahlee Griffey

Kahlee Griffey – Co-Founder/ Co-Executive Director & Consultant with Until We Are All Free Consulting Group, mother of two daughters; became an advocate for those who have experienced incarceration after overcoming her own experience with juvenile incarceration. The traumatic experience motivated her to get her degree in Criminal Justice and start fighting for those still suffering from this harmful system.

Segment 3 - What We Do & How We Move: Focus Areas & Core Values

What We Do: Focus Areas
Advocacy. Housing. Combusting and Training. Safe Space.

How We Move: Core Values
Safety and Wellness. Equity in Resources. Collective Over Competition. People Are Not Disposable.

Segment 4 - Prison Reform: First Person Act

The First Person Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that has significantly impacted the justice system. This act, passed in the United States, has been a beacon of hope for many who have long advocated for criminal justice reform.
“In the long term, the [First-Person] Act could lead to further reforms in the justice system, setting a precedent for future legislation. Its success could also inspire other countries to adopt similar reforms, potentially leading to a global shift in the approach to criminal justice. The First Person Act could be just the beginning of a broader movement towards a more equitable and effective approach to criminal justice.”— First Step Act

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