philanthropy

I’m a philanthropist, not just a “small donor.” I share my talents, connections, and other resources mainly with charitable and public organizations that work to improve human wellbeing, especially by working for dignity and justice.

I’ve supported many groups and causes locally and globally, including the Youth Diversion Program of the DeKalb County Juvenile Court, where I volunteered for a few years with other county residents to determine and apply non-punitive sanctions for adolescents brought before the court for their first time. Below are a few of the domestic organizations that I give the most to these days. My scholarship and teaching guided me to them. Their work informs some of my scholarship and teaching.

Foreverfamily

“We focus our efforts on children with an incarcerated parent and support them as they, their parents, caregivers, and extended families work to remain a family.” Disclaimer: I served on its National Advisory Board from 2013 until 2020. Without question, service to it and our children we serve has influenced my thinking about how mass incarceration is most terrible for kids.

Georgia Justice Project

“Georgia Justice Project strengthens our community by demonstrating a better way to represent and support individuals in the criminal justice system and reduce barriers to reentry. GJP promotes innovative change through direct legal representation, policy advocacy, education, and coalition building.” Disclaimer: I’ve served on its Advisory Board since 2013.

Innocence Project

“The Innocence Project, founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.” Disclaimer: I am fascinated by the fact that many of the exonerated face unconscionable barriers to compensation, financial and otherwise, for their wrongful convictions and imprisonment. I’ve written a bit about it. I’ve also testified in the Georgia Assembly for the Peach State to do better by its exonerated citizens when it comes to compensation.