Established in 2020 by The Sentencing Project Board of Directors, and named for the organization’s longtime leader and national expert on sentencing policy, race and the criminal justice system, the Marc Mauer Racial Justice Award is bestowed on individuals who significantly advance understanding and engagement on issues of race and mass incarceration. The awardee also nominates a nonprofit organization of their choice to receive special recognition.

This year's awardees are voting rights advocate, Desmond Meade, and criminal justice reform and reentry organization, Chainless Change.

Alongside The Sentencing Project's Senior Director of Advocacy, Nicole Porter, our awardees will discuss the critical importance of protecting and expanding voting rights for all citizens - and I hope you will join this critical discussion about the importance of protecting and expanding voting rights for all citizens.

Desmond Meade

Desmond Meade is President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and leader of the historic campaign to pass ballot measure Amendment 4 in Florida. Fueled by a grassroots citizens' initiative led by people directly impacted by Florida’s lifetime disenfranchisement policy, the voter approved measure restored voting rights to over 1 million Floridians with felony convictions.

Chainless Change

Desmond has nominated Chainless Change, an organization committed to reducing recidivism and strengthening communities impacted by mass incarceration. Led by Marq Mitchell, Chainless Change supports justice-involved individuals and their families through peer support, mentorship, workforce development, housing, educational and vocational training, and scholarships.