[25] In response, Barnett said, "I was overjoyed when I received the call from Pardon Attorney Robert Zauzmer telling me the President had granted clemency to my client, Trenton Copeland, who was being buried alive under an unduly harsh sentence of life without parole for a nonviolent drug offense. Named after the purest love Brittany has ever known, her grandmother Lena, Milena Reign cultivates content and talent from two special groups: (1) those directly impacted by the criminal justice system and (2) those from Brittany's beloved South - helping them lean into their gifts of storytelling to inspire the world. New prisons sprang up across Texas and the country. Her background was not all that pleasing as she was a victim of poor parenting. [9], Barnett is the founder of Buried Alive, a criminal justice reform advocacy organization that she co-founded with former clients Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? On Jan. 20, 2021, he walked out a free man. But the two administrations were quite different. July 19, 2021 She added to her education by studying for another Juris Doctor in law at Southern Methodist University. Commerce. They are responsible. Please look for it! President Obama granted more clemencies than all modern-day presidents combined. I think all the time, How do I bridge the gap for my clients? author of A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT: A STORY OF HOPE, JUSTICE & FREEDOM / @buriedaliveproj / @gem_amplifyher / Manifest Freedom Fund 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. 3400 Oak Grove Ave Ste 370. In Bogota, where my grandparents lived, opioids and meth have taken over. Many of them were family. Texass Most Venomous Caterpillar, Texass First Nonalcoholic Bottle Shop Reflects the Shifting Culture Around Drinking. There are so many forms of trauma I never realized were happening to me, my family and my community. TM: In many ways, the book is as much about Texas and Texas families as it is about you. "[28] The case led to Trump's support of the First Step Act,[29] which, among other things, retroactively applies the Fair Sentencing Act and increases the number of good conduct time credits prisoners receive. In her riveting debut,A Knock at Midnight:A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom,Ms. Barnett sharesthe powerful story of her awakening to the inhumanity of Americas criminal justice system and her ongoing fight to unlock the human potential trapped senselessly behind bars. Gun safety and children: Are free locks enough? At once a coming-of-age story and a powerful evocation of what it takes to bring hope and justice to a system built to resist both at every turn, A Knock at Midnight lays bare the dire human costs of our broken legal system. What now? I encourage anyone with even a drop of interest in this topic to visit a prison, to visit people in prison, and they can do that through their local organizations. BKB: Im hopeful that the Biden administration will bring back a clemency initiative so that it is normalized. [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. TM: Out of all the people youve helped, what stories affected you the most? Barnett ultimately ditched a career in corporate law to represent nonviolent drug offenders full-time. With Sharps support,a major win followed for Young. 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. the Mortal Mustache, a.k.a. Were also partnering with law firms that will take these cases pro bono so that we can scale and provide more impact. Its clear; the data will show you that answer is no. I wrote it for the young girls of color growing up in East Texas, and Im excited that those girls can read the book, see themselves, and, most importantly, see what they can do. That was before her mother fell. Youngs story caught the eye of Kim Kardashian. But so was the crack epidemiconly crack was criminalized. His doors are never unlocked. Many took a plea deal which meant serving 14 years in jail. This dream, however, had faded by the time she was in high school because there was no lawyer to look up to in her home area. She later came across the similar case of Donal Clark, who was serving a 30-year sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. She was arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for failing to attain sobriety during probation. Also, help by voting and getting involved in not just national elections, but local elections that have a huge impact as well. New, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom. These are nonviolent drug offenses. [12] The effort resulted in 17 persons being released under provisions of the First Step Act. She was set to never breathe free air again, and she was the one encouraging me. From Fulbright to the White House, the beautifully written, often haunting A Knock at Midnight charts how Barnett started her fight against draconian drug sentencesand how her work is only just beginning. In 2019, Buried Alive nabbed headlines for freeing 17 people in ninety days and receiving vocal support from Kim Kardashian West. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and much more. The childhood experience she had motivated her to help others get perspective on prisoners. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. I decided there was nothing more urgent than freedom. Brittany K. wiki profile will be updated soon as we collect Brittany K. Barnetts Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Despite growing evidence in the missing Ana Walshe case, attorney Duncan Levin said this is the opposite of a perfect murder.. Southern University Law Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Her organization has received funding and endorsement from television personality Kim Kardashian. [4], December 4, 2018, Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley held a forum on pending criminal justice legislation. Barnett is from Texas. That thought reoccurred every single day for over 3,000 days, but I pushed it out of my mind. 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. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defender's Office and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Institutional Accountability & Accreditation, Office of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, 2 Roosevelt Steptoe Dr.| Baton Rouge, LA 70813, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX, Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures). Her tirelesswork hasfreednumerous individuals from overly harsh sentences imposed by draconian federal drug laws, including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Obama. His clemency initiative was truly historical, and Im blessed to have lived that part of history. But its always mind-blowing to me how little people really know about how the system works, because its so overwhelming. [10] The center provides funding and training to Buried Alive. After her masters, she became an associate attorney at Winstead PC, focusing on corporate finance. [22] The sentencing judge in the case, Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr., wrote a letter advocating for Jacobs's petition for clemency, explaining that he would not have handed down a life sentence if he had not been required to do so by law. [23] The witnesses in her trial consisted of fellow drug offenders who testified in exchange for lighter sentences. Texas Monthly: What was it like to grow up in East Texas? Under President Ronald Reagan, the federal government poured more money and resources into prosecuting drug offenders than ever before. At the airport in Nashville, the first person to greet him was the same judge who sentenced him to prison years ago. 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. Practice Areas: None Reported By Attorney. The heartbeat. February 2023Print And DigitalOn Sale Now. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 201, Evanston, IL 60201 Contact Us. lawyer. Title: Attorney, author and co-founder. With every freedom we secure, were pushing forward a movement of people and power and dignity that is going to have a ripple effect on anyone they may positively impact in the future.. A vision of sustainable liberation for justice-impacted people. Please scroll down to see information about Brittany K. Barnett Social media profiles. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. Texas Footballs Greatest Rivalry Will ReturnBut at What Cost? [18] On August 29, 2019, rapper Pusha T released the song "Coming Home" with singer Lauryn Hill to bring awareness to the Third Strike Project. The only thing these decision makers will respond to is stories of mothers and daughters and fathers and sons. My clients sold drugs. She has founded several nonprofits and social enterprises, such as the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers, XVI Capital Partners, and Milena Reign LLC. Semi-Annual Crime Stats Report, Students Faculty AlumniFaculty DirectoryVote EverywhereLaw ClinicsUn(re)solved Exhibition, Policies & Forms Information Technology Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) Student Accommodations. And I make no excuses for my clients selling drugs. Since 2016, Barnett has earned freedom for 53 incarcerated people. In Barnetts words, this was the doors unlocked, windows wide open part of Texas. But then it gave me a chance to reflect on just how brilliant my clients are. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It used to be that doors unlocked, windows wide open part of Texas I talk about in the book, but I know my dad, for example, is always in fear of having his home broken into. Her forthcoming memoir, AKnockatMidnight, will be published by The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, in June 2020. Since the murders of her family members, she has been a passionate voice for forgiveness and mercy, particularly in the criminal justice system. Brittany K. Barnett: The writing process for me was therapeutic, in a sense, because I start with my childhood story of growing up as a Black girl in rural East Texas and dealing with the challenges of having a mother who was addicted to drugs and dealing with her ultimate incarceration. Most people think of prisoners as people unworthy of compassion or love. BKB: The war on drugs is still in full throttle, and that has to change. Marijuana Venture 4000 Airport Way S. Seattle, WA 98108, @2020 - All Right Reserved. It took a whole village to help get me free,said Chris Young. In January, with a presidential grant of clemency,that dream became a reality. Brownsvilles New Independent Bookstore Is an Oasis in the Desert, The Lone Bookstore in a Town With No Library. At the age of 19 years, Brittany K. Barnett weight not available right now. BKB: No, it hasnt changed. Brittany K. is a phenomenal celebrity influencer. Bogota. 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. She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous clients serving life sentences for federal drug offenses-seven of whom who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. In the book, you see the positivity of Sharanda Jones (a woman from Terrell). Learn more here: https://www.penguinran. All we had was Just Say No, which created this culture of, If you do drugs, its your fault. The title is taken from a sermon of Martin Luther King Jr. that was based on Jesus's Parable of the Friend at Night. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. That's where Brittany K. Barnett comes in. A decorated attorney and activist, Brittany K. Barnett has been named one of America's most Outstanding Young Lawyers by the American Bar Association, and was on the 2019 list of Essence's "Woke 100." Contact us to learn more about booking Brittany K. Barnett for your next event. [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. 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. Pamela Bardhi, who was friendly with Ana Walshe in professional settings, said she never saw any indications Washes life was in danger. Some of the most brilliant people Ive met in my life are my clients. Whenever I think of it, I think of family. 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. Clemency shouldnt be this big news story every once in a while. How has that part of Texas changed since you were a kid? 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. Ms. Bishop is the sister of Nancy Bishop Langert, who was murdered in 1990 along with her husband and their unborn baby. It was also a time for me to reflect on the work Ive done as a corporate lawyer and working on these federal drug cases pro bono. Investigators charged the Tennessee native for his role during a drug trafficking sting. A lot of the pushback we get is we dont fund direct services. But shed be telling me to get back to work, telling me we could do this, that we could get her free. Do we ever have the resources to process what its like to be kids on the front lines of the war on drugs?. BONUS AFTER-HOURS EVENT: Attendees who purchase a copy of Ms. Barnetts book A Knock at Midnight from FANs partner bookseller The Book Stall are invited to attend an AFTER-HOURS event hosted by Ms. Barnett and Ms. Bishop that will start immediately after the webinar. And Im hopeful that we see that again. 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. Chris Young said he plans on working with Barnett on other justice reform projects in the future. We cant just keep rescuing people from prison and restoring them to poverty. 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). Jeff Salamon is the deputy editor at Texas Monthly. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. [13] Commentary on her involvement ranged from praise, to assertions that it was a public relations stunt, to accusations that she was taking the credit for work she did not do. 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. BKB: Right now Im working on sustainable liberation. Thats what we need more in this world, more love, more compassion, said Young. If you do drugs, youre a monster. No one was trying to help, and I didnt see that until years later. There were times when she missed the clemency list, and I couldnt even get out of bed. In battling this epidemic that devastates families and ravages communities, she has taken on a roster of clients who are almost exclusively people serving life sentences for federal drug offenses. Federal Judge Kevin Sharp sentenced him to two lifelong terms in prison without parole on a nonviolent drug charge. She was just a rural East Texas girl with a big, supportive extended family and few cares in the world. She was going to die in prison. [22] As a liaison between a cocaine dealer and a supplier, Sharanda Jones was charged with "drug conspiracy" in August 1999. In this TED Talk, Brittany K. Barnett shares her vision for the Manifest Freedom Fund. 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. Some of the most brilliant people Ive met in my life are my clients. 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. She not only frees them from prison, she . Moderna announced its experimental RSV vaccine has been successful during trials. Her mother was a crack cocaine addict. 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. 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