A Conversation with John Legend on the Path to Reentry after Incarceration | Global Conference 2023

Conference Context and Opening Remarks

• The 26th Milken Institute Global Conference is being held in Los Angeles, featuring 130 public sessions and over 900 speakers.
• Mayor Karen Bass highlighted Los Angeles as a host for major upcoming global events: the US Open (golf) in 46 days, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
• Los Angeles is currently executing a $30 billion capital improvement program to upgrade LAX for these international events.
• The city reports nearly 4,000 venture-backed startups, making it the third-largest startup market in the U.S.
• International investment in Los Angeles has reached $7.3 billion over the past five years, with 5,000 international companies based in the city.
• Mayor Bass declared a state of emergency for homelessness, noting 47,000 people are living in tents and 3–5 die daily on the streets.
• In 140 days, the Mayor's administration relocated 1,200 individuals from street tents to motel housing with zero refusals and zero return to encampments.
• The administration is transitioning from leasing motels (economically unsustainable) to purchasing them to create permanent interim housing.
• Key demographics identified as unhoused include veterans losing benefits due to income thresholds, foster youth aging out at 18, and formerly incarcerated individuals denied housing due to rental discrimination.

The "Home Free" Documentary and Panel Discussion

• The session focused on the documentary Home Free, which debuts on Prime Video, highlighting barriers faced by individuals post-incarceration.
• John Legend shares that his mother and extended family members have faced the justice system, motivating his advocacy for redemption and reintegration.
• Sheena Mead, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, recounts being arrested in 2004 for bouncing an $87.26 check, resulting in stigma that prevented her from volunteering for her children's school trips.
• Deepti Ratliff of Slack for Good launched a program after reading Just Mercy, conducting the first interview with a candidate inside San Quentin State Prison.
• The "Next Chapter Program" by Slack for Good has achieved a 100% success rate, with 47 apprentices across 17 companies receiving full-time job offers.
• Currently, 1 in 3 Americans (approximately 114 million people) have an arrest or conviction record on their file.
• There are an estimated 48,000 legal barriers (occupational licenses, certifications) excluding people with records from working in various trades, such as cosmetology and barbering.
• Statistics show 94% of employers, 90% of landlords, and 72% of colleges conduct background checks that impede formerly incarcerated individuals.

Policy Progress and Business Case for Reintegration

• The Clean Slate Initiative has helped six states pass legislation, with California's version projected to clear records for 3 million people.
• A bipartisan group successfully secured a 60% voter approval rate in Florida for an amendment restoring voting rights to felons.
• JPMorgan Chase has hired over 3,000 people with arrest or conviction records, navigating FDIC regulations to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale hiring.
• John Legend's "Unlocked Futures" initiative, a partnership with Bank of America and New Profit, provides funding and mentorship for formerly incarcerated individuals to launch businesses and nonprofits.
• Slack for Good reports that while initial General Counsel and HR skepticism was high, the business case for hiring formerly incarcerated employees is now considered a "no-brainer" due to proven retention and performance.
• The panel argued that in a low-unemployment environment, employers are increasingly open to non-traditional hiring pools to fill engineering and technical roles.
• Deepti Ratliff noted that employee engagement increases when companies take action on second chances, framing the issue as one of human dignity rather than partisan politics.

Risk Assessment and Call to Action

• Panelists argued that risk assessment for individuals with old, minor offenses (e.g., a check bounce 15 years ago) is "nil," particularly in remote work environments.
• Sheena Mead noted that even high-profile individuals can face rejection from landlords based solely on a background check box without a holistic review of their current life.
• The panel identified a "humanity barrier" beyond employment, affecting access to housing, education, and civic participation like voting.
• Deepti Ratliff set a 2024 goal to double the number of companies and apprentices in the Next Chapter Program while maintaining the 100% placement success rate.
• The Clean Slate Initiative aims to unlock second chances for 14 million people over the next six years across 50 states.
• The panel concluded with a call for business leaders to support "Ban the Box" policies and Clean Slate legislation, and to engage in conversations about second chances within their communities.