John,

At 19 years old, I found myself sentenced to 43 years to life in an Ohio prison for a crime I did not commit. For 23 long years, I navigated a system that did not value me as a person, all the while holding onto my innocence. In 2017, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Ohio Innocence Project, Ohio Justice & Policy Center, and many others, including former jury members, local politicians, and even the victim's sister, I was finally released.

My story is not unique. Unfortunately, many others endure the same isolation and hopelessness of wrongful incarceration that I did. This is why I am passionate about sharing my journey and advocating for justice reform.

If you or your organization are planning events for Black History Month, consider booking me or another speaker from the Innocence Project to share our stories and work towards building a more just criminal legal system together.

Unfortunately, things like this happen far too often to innocent people in our criminal legal system, and when it does, it’s on all of us to speak out and do something. My story is a testament to the power of advocacy and the critical need to reform our legal system. 

I have made it my life’s mission to educate kids about education and the importance of making positive decisions. I’m also active in educating attorneys on the importance of humanizing their clients and utilizing art as a tool to create proximity to the perils of the criminal legal system. Just a few months ago, I joined the Innocence Project’s Exoneree Counsel to advise the organization on how best to support exonerees. By sharing my story, I hope to spark important conversations about resilience, advocacy, and the need for criminal justice reform. 

I would be honored to share my story with you.

Thank you,

Tyra Patterson