Desmond Meade is a transformational leader whose commitment to justice has impacted millions. Meade is the president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) and chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy. His efforts to uplift humanity has consistently earned him national and international acclaim. Meade is a Ford Global Fellow, a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, and was recognized in 2019 as one of Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People in the World, and twice published author.

As President and Executive Director of the FRRC, Meade led the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida. Under his leadership FRRC was distinguished in 2023 by being nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.

A graduate of Florida International University College of Law, Meade also holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Bard College and Duke University. He presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the nation in a way that promotes love and empathy. Using his inspiring journey of overcoming incarceration, homelessness, and substance abuse, he works tirelessly to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies and create a more vibrant democracy for all. Among many other accolades, Desmond’s efforts have resulted in him earning him the distinction in 2019 as Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year, and being recognized as a Hero by CNN, and as one of the 40 most influential people in politics by Politico.

A well sought after speaker, Desmond’s appearances on CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, and Fox TV demonstrates his ability to appeal to and inspire people from all walks of life.

Meade is married to Sheena Meade, who leads the Clean Slate Initiative. Together, they are reshaping policies to allow people with prior records the ability to live with purpose, dignity, and power.

Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a 2021 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow.

Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2019, Desmond presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the state, and to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies. His work has resulted in being named Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year 2019.

As President and Executive Director of FRRC, which is recognized for its work on voting and criminal justice reform issues, Desmond led the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida.

A sought-after speaker, Desmond has made numerous appearances on radio and television, and has spoken before national organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bread for the World. Desmond has testified before Congressional members and staffers and was a part of a delegation to the United Nations where he gave testimony regarding disenfranchisement in Florida. Desmond orchestrated a historic meeting at the White House between returning citizens and President Obama’s administration. He has appeared on numerous shows such as Al-Jazeera, Democracy NOW, MSNBC with Joy Ann Reid, FOX News with Dana Perino and Tucker Carlson, Samantha Bee, and All In with Chris Hayes. He is a guest columnist for the Huffington Post in which one of his articles about the death of Trayvon Martin garnered national attention. Desmond has been featured in several newspaper and magazine articles and was chosen as a “Game Changer” by Politic 365, as well as being recognized as a “Foot Soldier” on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show on MSNBC.

Desmond is married and has five beautiful children.

 
Twitter: @desmondmeade

As President and Executive Director of the FRRC, Meade led the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. Amendment 4 represented the single largest expansion of voting rights in the United States in half a century and brought an end to 150 years of a Jim Crow-era law in Florida. Under his leadership FRRC was distinguished in 2023 by being nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.

A graduate of Florida International University College of Law, Meade also holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Bard College and Duke University. He presently leads efforts to empower and civically re-engage local communities across the nation in a way that promotes love and empathy. Using his inspiring journey of overcoming incarceration, homelessness, and substance abuse, he works tirelessly to reshape local, state, and national criminal justice policies and create a more vibrant democracy for all. Among many other accolades, Desmond’s efforts have resulted in him earning him the distinction in 2019 as Floridian and Central Floridian of the Year, and being recognized as a Hero by CNN, and as one of the 40 most influential people in politics by Politico.

A well sought after speaker, Desmond’s appearances on CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, and Fox TV demonstrates his ability to appeal to and inspire people from all walks of life.

Meade is married to Sheena Meade, who leads the Clean Slate Initiative. Together, they are reshaping policies to allow people with prior records the ability to live with purpose, dignity, and power.