Barnett was on the legal team of Alice Marie Johnson, a woman who was serving the 21st year a life sentence for nonviolent drug offenses. We need the laws to change, for sure, but we need change thats more than that. [8] The graduate students provide research and work on the individual cases. Her organization has received funding and endorsement from television personality Kim Kardashian. 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.. Through her recently published memoir, A Knock at Midnight, Brittany K. Barnett takes readers inside the U.S. criminal justice system and shows the devastating effects of the War on Drugs, both from the perspective of the daughter of a woman who was once incarcerated and that of a successful civil rights lawyer. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Brittany K. Barnett, better known by her family name Brittany K. Barnett, is a popular American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. TX License Date: 11/04/2011. I think all the time, How do I bridge the gap for my clients? TM: Out of all the people youve helped, what stories affected you the most? She was arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for failing to attain sobriety during probation. TM: What needs to change in our criminal justice system, and what needs to change about prisons specifically? MV: How can how can people get involved and help bring justice to people serving unfair prison sentences? They are responsible. And I would be remiss not to say that financial resources are always needed to get more people free and break more chains. She started working as an Audit Associate at Price water house cooper where she worked with clients to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. She was set to never breathe free air again, and she was the one encouraging me. 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. When youre in it, you dont see how bad it is. It does not make us safer. 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. 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. Practice Areas: None Reported By Attorney. 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. My sentence legally made me not be able to get released from the custody of the BOP until I was pronounced deceased. Criminal justice reform is popular right now, its fashionable. Why you should listen As a corporate attorney, Brittany K. Barnett was committed to pro bono representation of clients unjustly sentenced under federal drug laws. Barnet endeavors to show the world that once-incarcerated people can thrive and succeed in life once they have access to resources. Chris was a catalyst and became a poster child for my issues and the federal justice system. Weve gotten by without help before, and we can keep doing what were doing if the help comes or not. She not only frees them from prison, she . Darryl Hinton Most people think of prisoners as people unworthy of compassion or love. Subscribe to receive personal updates from Brittany. But then it gave me a chance to reflect on just how brilliant my clients are. Whenever I think of it, I think of family. 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. Even with all of that, I still love East Texas. Ms. Bishop appears in several documentaries, two TEDx talks, and the CBS 48 Hours segment Road to Redemption. She is the author of a memoir, Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy and Making Peace with My Sisters Killer and the recently released Grace from the Rubble: Two Fathers Road to Reconciliation After the Oklahoma City Bombing. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Ms. Bishop is the sister of Nancy Bishop Langert, who was murdered in 1990 along with her husband and their unborn baby. In Sharanda, Brittany saw haunting echoes of her own life, as the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother. But it came to a point for me where I was getting very heavily involved in President Obamas clemency initiative and there were only about 10 months left of him in office, and I just wanted to do all that I could to help get people free. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. Her address is, Your email address will not be published. TM: On social media, youve been candid about the struggles youve faced getting funding for your organization, Buried Alive. A mandatory life sentence was never an appropriate sentence for what he did. #AKnockAtMidnight: A Story of Hope, Justice & Freedom @buriedaliveproject @girlsembracingmothers #ManifestFreedom linktr.ee/brittanykbarnett Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from brittanykbarnett I knew my mom had a drug problem, but I didnt realize she had a disease. She has also earned honors and awards. Regardless, Barnet maintained a close relationship with her after she was released. 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. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides suppo 201, Evanston, IL 60201 Contact Us. Note: Event start time is Central Time (CT). Jeff Salamon is the deputy editor at Texas Monthly. The leading resource for cannabis retailers and growers. She needed rehabilitation, not prison. Chris Young said he plans on working with Barnett on other justice reform projects in the future. The first step for policymakers and decision makers is to acknowledge that its been an utter failure. 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. 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. I felt an obligation to be in those boardrooms as a Black woman to help pave the way for others. [23] The witnesses in her trial consisted of fellow drug offenders who testified in exchange for lighter sentences. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides support for girls with mothers in prison. She represented lending institutions in matters related to real estate, secure financing, and acquisition financings. Brittany K. Barnett didn't set out to be a crusader. And I looked at the bright side, and I stayed optimistic.. But fortunately, I shook that thought off every day. Brittany has had an influence across the country for her life-saving work. I love East Texas. BKB: The culprit was the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act that implemented this 100-to-1 sentencing ratio between crack and powder cocaine that punished crack much more severely and implemented mandatory minimums. "[20] USA Today included it on its list of 5 books not to miss for the week of September 5, 2020. As an SMU law student interning in a Houston court, Barnett had a front-row seat to the horrors created by the mandatory minimum laws sending generations of Black Texans to federal prison. Barnet was born on February 24, 1984. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. 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. Mandatory minimum sentences forced judges to dole out extreme punishments for crack cocaine possession, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. "Took a few moments today to reflect on how honored we are to work side by side saving lives and linking up . 3400 Oak Grove Ave Ste 370. Bogota. [2], Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst, was a complex litigation attorney. Soon enough, the war on drugs reached that wooden house in Fulbright. Her mother was a crack cocaine addict. Thanks to Attorney Brittany K. Barnett and her team of civil rights lawyers, Young is free. Unfortunately, it was too familiar to me. TM: In A Knock at Midnight, you talk about how writing letters to your mother in prison helped you process what you were feeling about her incarceration. She didnt get the help she needed. The Buried Alive Project works to dismantle life without parole sentences handed down under federal drug laws. 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. Brittany K. Barnett travels from Dallas, TX Similar Speakers When we think about the crack epidemic or the war on drugs, we think about New York or Oakland, but not the South. entrepreneur. Since the murders of her family members, she has been a passionate voice for forgiveness and mercy, particularly in the criminal justice system. Primary Practice Location: Dallas , Texas. Whenever I think of it, I think of family. Its lost some of its innocence. What kind of impact do you see that having culturally and on society in general? Statutory Profile Last Certified On: 03/03/2021. Thousands have had their lives changed due to her selflessness in meeting the needs of those in Prison. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Attorney And Criminal Justice Reform Advocate We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Barnetts new memoir, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom, explores how that war shaped her life and career. I tell everyone: find the area that youre most passionate about, whether its bail reform, whether its marijuana justice, whether its sentencing reform or parole and probation. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defenders Office and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. 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. As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother andthe once-girlfriend of an abusive drug dealer, Ms. Barnett has felt the far-reaching effects of mass incarceration firsthand. [22] In response to the decision, Barnett said "The presidents mercy and belief in redemption literally saved Coreys life. 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. Emily McCullar is a senior editor covering pop culture, news, and Texas history. His clemency initiative was truly historical, and Im blessed to have lived that part of history. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. But it is, at its heart, hopeful, offering a way forward from the painful realities it illuminates. Ms. Bishop is the sister of Nancy Bishop Langert, who was murdered in 1990 along with her husband and their unborn baby. Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy, Regina Dominican College Preparatory High School, The Family Institute at Northwestern University. She added to her education by studying for another Juris Doctor in law at Southern Methodist University. [5][6] When Barnett was 22, her mother was sentenced to eight years for failing a series of drug tests while on probation. Award-winning attorney and founder of the Buried Alive Project, Girls Embracing Mothers, XVI Capital Partners, and Milena Reign LLC, Assistant Public Defender, Cook County Public Defenders Office, and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. In January, with a presidential grant of clemency,that dream became a reality. October 28, 2020 2 Brittany Barnett. She was going to die in prison. Were also partnering with law firms that will take these cases pro bono so that we can scale and provide more impact. Universal Studios Is Coming to Frisco. But as you see in the book, the war on drugs was hitting us hard, and as a kid, that was hard to see. Brittany K. Barnett is an attorney, author, and entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of hope, justice, and freedom. She claims that laws in the United States unjustly put some people in prison whereas better systems would be used to improve their lives. When Barnett was 22, her mother, a crack cocaine addict, was arrested and sent to prison for eight years. All we had was Just Say No, which created this culture of, If you do drugs, its your fault. Putting a Chris Young in prison for life does not make any more safer. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop. Youngs journey behind bars began when he was just 18-years-old. 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. The Manifest Freedom Fund provides capital and resources to justice-impacted entrepreneurs. Brittany K. Barnett. Together with her former clients, Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, Barnett founded Buried Alive, a nonprofit organization that battled federal drug laws that unjustly imprisoned people. Arrest numbers spiked. While in law school, Barnett completed internships with the Honorable Nancy F. Atlas in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and with the Honorable Rene H. Toliver in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. [1] She grew up in an environment close to drug culture. Some of the most brilliant people Ive met in my life are my clients. As she studied this case, a system came into focus in which widespread racial injustice forms the core of America's addiction to incarceration. And I wrote the book to recognize the people. The lack of funding has been extremely frustrating, because were really trying to save lives, and were struggling for funding. Milena Reign helps people lean into their gifts of storytelling to inspire the world. But shed be telling me to get back to work, telling me we could do this, that we could get her free. In addition to her successful law practice, Ms. Barnett is also an entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. The Photo the Dallas Cowboys Never Wanted the Public to See, Nolan Ryan Threw as Hard as He Could for as Long as He Could. BKB: Its devasting families and entire communities. 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. And then of course with him being free, nothing can trump it.. I always knew that I was going to get Chris Young free. Since 2016, Barnett has earned freedom for 53 incarcerated people. 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. Thats what we need more in this world, more love, more compassion, said Young. What now? Presidents and governors should be granting clemency on a regular basis. Ive always felt the heartbeat of the people behind bars, but writing the book really gave me that time to be, like, wow, this country is locking up the very ingenuity our nation needs to thrive. Young, now 32, was in jail 10 years, one month and 10 days. "[22], Trenton Copeland was profiled in Rolling Stone magazine for his petition for clemency to President Obama after receiving a life sentence for three nonviolent drug offenses. I made the decision to resign, and through President Obamas clemency initiative, I had seven clients receive clemency. 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. While I was working to free them, they were freeing me, too. And I was in prison in my mind and my neighborhood before I went to prison, said Young. While I was working to free them, they were freeing me, too. And we did. 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. Brittany K. Barnett. Texas Monthly: What was it like to grow up in East Texas? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Barnett ultimately ditched a career in corporate law to represent nonviolent drug offenders full-time. Leave them blank to get signed up. In this TED Talk, Brittany K. Barnett shares her vision for the Manifest Freedom Fund. Then, the war on drugs commenced. The panel of invited speakers included Barnett. Required fields are marked *. Also learn about how she is rich at the age of 49 years old? 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. A friend named Keyon got life without parole after being named as an accomplice by alleged dealers arrested in a police raid. There are so many forms of trauma I never realized were happening to me, my family and my community. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. We didnt know how the Trump administration was going to treat criminal justice issues or prioritize criminal justice issues, but I am blessed to have been a part of the legal team for Alice Johnson, who was one of the first people to receive clemency from Donald Trump. So far the fund has started two tech startups, two food trucks, and a cannabis brand. The President saved Trentons life today."[25]. But so was the crack epidemiconly crack was criminalized. against draconian drug sentencesand how her work is only just beginning. 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.. Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that curates a high-quality speaker series each academic year. What was the culprit for somebody like Sharanda Jones, who was convicted of a single nonviolent drug crime, being given the same sentence as the Unabomber? I was so passionate about this work, so I linked arms with my clients, Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, who had been serving life for drugs and received clemency from President Obama, and we co-founded the Buried Alive Project to provide legal representation for people serving life under these outdated federal drug laws. She added the Manifest Freedom Fund and Milena Reign, which raise funds and resources for entrepreneurship through which people coming out of prison can access opportunities. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, American Bar Association's Young Lawyer Division, "GIRLS EMBRACING MOTHERS Brittany Byrd '09", "Meet the Kim Kardashian-backed 'women warriors' who free people from life sentences", "PricewaterhouseCoopers Company - 27050 Employees - US Staff", "Good Works Under 40 honors top Dallas community volunteers", "Non-violent drug sentencing has left thousands of people buried alive in prison", "Sens.