Team — Last fall, Tom and his wife Kat Taylor sat enraptured at the Black Millennial Convention's Town Hall as young African American leaders spoke about criminal justice transformation. Tom was the only candidate to attend the event in person. He was also one of three candidates to show up at Justice Votes 2020, the first-ever candidate forum to be held inside Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison in Philadelphia.

 

That’s the thing about Tom — he shows up and he listens. The criminal justice policy that he’s releasing today reflects his years of listening to the community and his past justice-centered work.

 

Prior to joining the campaign as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I worked for organizations dedicated to advancing racial justice, including NAACP — the oldest civil rights organization in our country. My work was dedicated to crushing the school-to-prison pipeline, ending mass incarceration and cash bail, and forcing the Department of Justice to take action. I was encouraged and excited that my work helped inform Tom’s plan for the criminal justice system.

 

Tom’s plan to tackle the lasting impact and legacy of racism reflects his devotion to what is right and his willingness to listen to people whose lives are destroyed by our broken system.

 

My fight is also Tom’s fight. Please take a minute to read this bold, transformative, and restorative plan — and add your name in support.

 

Thanks,
Jamiah

 

Jamiah Adams
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Tom 2020