As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, Brittany knows first-hand the impact of mass incarceration is far reaching, devastating families and entire communities. lawyer. During this time, an unlikely supporter came to Youngs defense Kevin Sharp, the same judge who sentenced him to jail years ago,advocated for Chriss release. [16] Her stepdad (also an attorney) had previously worked with Barnett to release someone who had been imprisoned for 18 years. Barnett attended The University of Texas at Arlington, earning a bachelors degree in 2005 and a masters degree in 2006 in accounting. Brittany K. Barnett, better known by her family name Brittany K. Barnett, is a popular American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. All Rights Reserved. Primary Practice Location: Dallas , Texas. [2] She recounts that as a little girl, she wanted to be a lawyer like Clair Huxtable, a character on The Cosby Show, but had lost that dream by high school because there were no lawyers in her rural East Texas community, and certainly no black women lawyers. She shares stories of the innovation languishing in America's prisons -- and a vision for investing in people whose unjust sentences . Texas Footballs Greatest Rivalry Will ReturnBut at What Cost? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. BKB: Right now Im working on sustainable liberation. Attorney And Criminal Justice Reform Advocate 3400 Oak Grove Ave Ste 370. Youngs journey behind bars began when he was just 18-years-old. Fulbright. [1], She received her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. My mom was addicted to crack cocaine. And its not just trauma inflicted on my sister and me because of my moms addiction; it was trauma inflicted on my mom because she was criminalized. She didnt get the help she needed. the Mortal Mustache, a.k.a. I think all the time, How do I bridge the gap for my clients? Despite being sentenced to life in prison with no parole, he says he never gave up hope that he would be free one day. Microsoft is just one of several tech giants cutting its workforce to deal with new economic realities. We cant just keep rescuing people from prison and restoring them to poverty. Also, help by voting and getting involved in not just national elections, but local elections that have a huge impact as well. In Bogota, where my grandparents lived, opioids and meth have taken over. with lot of social media fan she often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with her huge fan base social media plateform. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. Through the organization Buried Alive, which she co-founded with Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, she came to national attention when she and her co-counsel, MiAngel Cody, litigated the release of 17 people in 90 days. Emily McCullar is a senior editor covering pop culture, news, and Texas history. On Jan. 20, 2021, he walked out a free man. It wasnt the stereotype you hear about with gang wars and rioting. Brittany K. Barnett is an attorney and entrepreneur. More than 30 people were arrested. Thanks to Attorney Brittany K. Barnett and her team of civil rights lawyers, Young is free. Cyndi Brown Before she specialized in getting people out of prison, Brittany K. Barnett was a young girl living in a wooden house in Fulbright, Texas.. As a little girl, she recounts that she wanted to be a lawyer like Clair Huxtable, a character on The Cosby Show, but had lost that dream by high school because there were no lawyers in her rural East Texas community, and certainly no Black women lawyers. It was this appeal for law and order, it was this fear that was carried out into the country about drugs and crack, in particular, which is unfortunate because we had this crack epidemic. And I make no excuses for my clients selling drugs. They understand that. All of my clients were serving time in federal prison under outdated federal drug laws and so Ive had 7 clients who received clemency under President Obama and four clients over Donald Trump, Barnett said. MV: What was it like to go from the Obama administration to the Trump administration over the past four years? 2 Roosevelt Steptoe Dr.| Baton Rouge, LA 70813 P: 225.771.2552|F: 225.771.2474, Chancellor's Welcome Office of External Affairs Strategic Plan Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX Whenever I think of it, I think of family. Her organization has received funding and endorsement from television personality Kim Kardashian West. TM: The East Texas you describe is so idyllic, and its clear you grew up in one of those tight-knit communities where people looked after one another. This work has been her focus since then. With Sharps support,a major win followed for Young. Marijuana Venture 4000 Airport Way S. Seattle, WA 98108, @2020 - All Right Reserved. New prisons sprang up across Texas and the country. Even as the legal cannabis industry continues to spread across the country, thousands of Americans remain imprisoned for doing the things that today are considered business instead of crime. Regardless, Barnet maintained a close relationship with her after she was released. It was almost as if I was living a double life because I was working on these multimillion-dollar deals by day and working pro bono to get people out of prison at night. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides support for girls with mothers in prison. [7] After submitting her paper, Jones's case plagued Barnett, and she wrote to Jones offering her assistance; the women began corresponding through email. May 25, 2021. Not only are Jones and Jacobs partners in the nonprofit, but Barnett says theyre an inspiration to her and leading examples of a greater cultural transformation. It seemed like an accepted part of life, like, This is just the way it is. It wasnt until I got to college that I realized how powerful it was. Her background was not all that pleasing as she was a victim of poor parenting. But Im not playing those games anymore. She added to her education by studying for another Juris Doctor in law at Southern Methodist University. BKB: Its lost some of its innocence. I hope readers of my book will see that the true loss of mass incarceration is not just the lives stolen by injustice, but the beauty and brilliance that each incarcerated person might have contributed to this country. MV: Thats an incredible level of disproportion. Sometimes we can be one-dimensional in how we create change, and I want to be a part of change that isnt just about capital or policy. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. His windows are never open. The freedom journey doesn't end when someone is released from prison. From a pen gun to a gun shoved inside a raw chicken, TSA says it found a record number of firearms in carry-on bags last year. Brittany K. Barnett. Criminal justice reform is popular right now, its fashionable. Universal Studios Is Coming to Frisco. TM: In many ways, the book is as much about Texas and Texas families as it is about you. The panel of invited speakers included Barnett. Weve gotten by without help before, and we can keep doing what were doing if the help comes or not. [26] The Obama administration denied her petition for clemency in January 2017, however, after separate meetings with Kardashian West and her husband, Kanye West,[27] President Donald Trump commuted Johnson's sentence. First, a conviction for possession of cocaine, marijuana and a weapon. During this time she founded Girls Embracing Mothers Inc, a nonprofit organization empowering girls to break the beliefs of incarceration and live a purposeful life. Inspired by her own difficult experience as the daughter of an incarcerated mother, Brittany founded GEM to empower women in prison and their daughters to break the cycle of incarceration and lead . But Im not playing those games anymore. Barnett ultimately ditched a career in corporate law to represent nonviolent drug offenders full-time. In 2020, she founded Manifest Freedom, an organization that helps to provide resources and capital to once-incarcerated people. I wanted it to shine in a way that hasnt been done. Just like everybody else in America, sometimes we let our neighborhoods and our circumstances be a prison themselves. Eligible to Practice in Texas Bar Card Number: 24078196 TX License Date: 11/04/2011 Primary Practice Location: Dallas , Texas 3400 Oak Grove Ave Ste 370 Dallas, TX 75204-2335 Practice Areas: None Reported By Attorney Statutory Profile Last Certified On: 03/03 . Soon enough, the war on drugs reached that wooden house in Fulbright. [1] While researching a paper on how race impacted sentencing for her Critical Race Theory class, she came across the case of Sharanda Jones, a woman who had been sentenced to life without parole for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. [2] Barnett credits her mother's own incarceration with teaching her that persons in prison were often treated as "unworthy of any compassion or concern. If your flight plans were recently disrupted, theres a chance you could be compensated. More inside. With Young now out of prison, he plans to work closely with Barnett and former judge Sharp to help others they say are buried alive.. Darryl Hinton While Kim Kardashian receives all the praise for her work with the criminal justice system and the freeing of inmates, it's two sistas, attorneys Brittany K. Barnett and MiAngel Cody, that are doing all the hard work behind-the-scenes to free non-violent offenders who are serving lengthy prison sentences. The only thing these decision makers will respond to is stories of mothers and daughters and fathers and sons. Brittany has had an influence across the country for her life-saving work. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. The program works to empower girls with mothers in prison. Remains of child found during search for Athena Brownfield, 4, Hundreds of thousands of kids left alone at border in FY 2022, Rural crisis teams bridge mental health gaps, Smartphones keep homeless veterans housed, healthy, Mother killed in shooting at Florida MLK Day party, TSA confiscates passenger's anti-tank weapon, Father: Gun in Beech Grove incident belongs to cousin, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. BKB: Its devasting families and entire communities. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, Brittany knows first-hand the impact of mass incarceration is far-reaching, devastating families and entire communities. These Lawyers Are Trying to Change That", "Pusha T launches criminal reform campaign Third Strike Coming Home", "The Injustice Deep Within the Justice System", "5 books not to miss: Jane Fonda writes about climate change, plus new Chuck Palahniuk", "Obama adds to historic number of federal prisoners granted clemency", "How a first crack cocaine offense led to a life sentence", "Meet Trenton Copeland, Who Sees Obama as Last Shot to Leave Prison", "Obama grants final 330 commutations to nonviolent drug offenders", "Trump has commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a woman whose case was championed by Kim Kardashian", "President Trump Commutes Sentence of Alice Marie Johnson", "How Jared Kushner, Kim Kardashian West and Congress drove the criminal justice overhaul", "New Friends New Life Announces 2020 ProtectHER Award Recipients Natalie Nanasi and Brittany K. Barnett", "Kim Kardashian Joins Prison Reform Attorneys in the Fight to Free Nonviolent Drug Offenders", "In remembering her own mother, activist and attorney makes Mother's Day plea for incarcerated women", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brittany_K._Barnett&oldid=1104086781, 2013 National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, Finalist , 2013 Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas Texas Young Lawyers Association, 2013 Outstanding Young Lawyer of Dallas Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2020 ProtectHER Award New Friends New Life, This page was last edited on 12 August 2022, at 15:18. And it looks different here. Company: Buried Alive Project. Its Time to Reexamine One of the Most Beloved Books About Texas, How the Texas Rangers Became One of the Most Powerful Forces in the State, Sixteen of Texass Most Influential Cultural Figures of the Past 50 Years, Inside Friscos Lavish, Enormous New Golf Resort, Welcome to Palo Pinto, Texass Next State Park, The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition, Please Do Not Touch the Toxic Toupee, a.k.a. But it is, at its heart, hopeful, offering a way forward from the painful realities it illuminates. In 2019, Buried Alive nabbed headlines for freeing 17 people in ninety days and receiving vocal support from Kim Kardashian West. Pamela Bardhi, who was friendly with Ana Walshe in professional settings, said she never saw any indications Washes life was in danger. If you do drugs, youre a monster. No one was trying to help, and I didnt see that until years later. Before she specialized in getting people out of prison, Brittany K. Barnett was a young girl living in a wooden house in Fulbright, Texas. She was going to die in prison. Barnet disapproves of her mothers sentencing arguing that she did not deserve prison but a rehab. In this TED Talk, Brittany K. Barnett shares her vision for the Manifest Freedom Fund. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. When Barnett was 22, her mother, a crack cocaine addict, was arrested and sent to prison for eight years. Brittany K. Barnett: I love East Texas. Has that changed with the great reception youve received for this book? Dad arrested after video shows toddler with gun: Whats next? Subscribe to receive personal updates from Brittany. I really wanted the South to shine in the book. REGISTRATION REQUIREDfor all FAN webinar events. "Took a few moments today to reflect on how honored we are to work side by side saving lives and linking up . [9] Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides support for girls with mothers in prison. In the book, you see the positivity of Sharanda Jones (a woman from Terrell). She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses - including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. And it looks different here. Attorney and East Texas native Brittany K. Barnett has earned freedom for 53 people imprisoned under outdated drug laws. [17], Barnett started XVI Capital Partners, a venture capital fund to help fund entrepreneurial ideas the previous inmates have upon release, with the goal of what she calls "economic liberation" from the draw of selling drugs. Marijuana Venture: What was the process like for you writing A Knock at Midnight? That was before her mother fell. Just over two hours northeast of Dallas, this tiny, pastoral hamlet was home to 150 people who all knew one another. Under the federal Three Strike law, defendants receive mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if they have three federal convictions for serious violent felonies or crimes related to drug trafficking. So uncovering that issue and really pounding the pavement to get this motion in front of the court really the best way possible, that was the highlight of the case process for me. It does not make us safer. Foundations want to change policy, which is necessary. Theyve each left their fingerprints on my soul. He said one of the first things he would like to see reformed are mandatory minimums and penalties should be set on a case-by-case basis. [23], Corey Jacobs was 47 years old and 17 years into a life sentence for a first-time drug charge when Obama granted him clemency. Youngs story caught the eye of Kim Kardashian. Required fields are marked *. In 2017, Sharp stepped down from his life-appointed position toreturnto work for criminal justice reformas a civil rights attorney. Since 2016, Barnett has earned freedom for 53 incarcerated people. We have people serving life sentences today for marijuana and other drug offenses. Michelle McKinney Hammond, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Dyani Neves, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Relationship, Height, Christian Blogger, Elly Morillo, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, News 12, Wanya Reese, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Spouse, Salary, Height, 13MWAZ, Natalie Kalibat, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, Diver. Only two of us. But its always mind-blowing to me how little people really know about how the system works, because its so overwhelming. Girls Embracing Mothers was born from my experience of having a mother incarcerated, Barnett said. Questions about the accreditation of Southern University and A&M College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOCs website (www.sacscoc.org). She has founded several nonprofits and social enterprises, such as the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers, XVI Capital Partners, and Milena Reign LLC. In 90 days TWO black women lawyers freed SEVENTEEN people from LIFE W/O PAROLE sentences - the second most severe penalty permitted by law in America. I felt an obligation to be in those boardrooms as a Black woman to help pave the way for others. His story made national headlines and the media attention caught the eye of Barnett. When we think about the crack epidemic or the war on drugs, we think about New York or Oakland, but not the South. TM: Out of all the people youve helped, what stories affected you the most? Investigators charged the Tennessee native for his role during a drug trafficking sting. Brittany K. Barnettis an award-winning attorney who has dedicated her life to criminal justice reform. Note: Event start time is Central Time (CT). Do we ever have the resources to process what its like to be kids on the front lines of the war on drugs?. Mandatory minimum sentences forced judges to dole out extreme punishments for crack cocaine possession, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and much more. Practice Areas: None Reported By Attorney. [3], Barnett attended The University of Texas at Arlington,[4] earning a bachelor's degree in 2005 and a master's degree in 2006 in accounting. Thats how we can begin to change hearts and minds. The light at the end of the tunnel just became really, really bright, said Barnett. It took a whole village to help get me free,said Chris Young. We need the laws to change, for sure, but we need change thats more than that. Im hopeful that we see a push to go beyond the First Step Act of 2018 and move on to the second, third, fourth and fifth step, starting with retroactivity and some of the laws that were changed. So far the fund has started two tech startups, two food trucks, and a cannabis brand. It seemed like an accepted part of life, like, This is just the way it is. It wasnt until I got to college that I realized how powerful it was. Despite growing evidence in the missing Ana Walshe case, attorney Duncan Levin said this is the opposite of a perfect murder.. After two years, Barnett and her team made a major discovery. But so was the crack epidemiconly crack was criminalized. Mass incarceration is, to me, the most pressing civil rights issue of our time. Attorney And Criminal Justice Reform Advocate, Djimy Alexis Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More, attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Growing up, Barnet wanted to be a lawyer. Please scroll down to see information about Brittany K. Barnett Social media profiles. How do I get to economic liberation? Im proud to say Im an investor in Sharandas food truck, and Im really excited about helping launch more projects just like that one. She didnt get the help she needed. [2], On June 19, 2019, Barnett and Cody launched the Third Strike Project, which focuses on a separate provision of the First Step Act that allows inmates convicted in crack cocaine cases to retroactively be eligible for consideration to receive reduced sentences. I Wrote a Book Called The Leopard Is Loose. Then a Leopard Got Loose in Dallas. Chris Young said he plans on working with Barnett on other justice reform projects in the future. 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