Partner Spotlight: All of Us or None – St. Louis Chapter

Empower Missouri is a proud partner of the St. Louis Chapter of All of Us or None. All of Us or None (AOUON) is a grassroots organization made up of formerly incarcerated individuals and the families/allies of currently incarcerated individuals, fighting for the rights and liberties of those impacted by the justice system. As we approach phase two of our Clean Slate campaign, we are delighted to spotlight organizations like AOUON who work tirelessly to address injustices within the prison-industrial complex, and provide assistance to individuals as they navigate life after incarceration. Keep reading for our interview with All of Us or None – St. Louis!

Your Organization’s Connection to Empower Missouri

1. How did your organization become connected with Empower Missouri?

AOUON-STL has had a connection with Empower MO since our launch in June of 2018. As president of the STL chapter, I have been associated with EM for over 25 years.

2. What part of Empower Missouri’s work feels most intertwined with your organization’s work, and why? 

All of Us or None is a grassroots civil and human rights organization fighting for the rights of formerly-and currently-incarcerated people and our families. We are fighting against the discrimination that people face every day because of an arrest or conviction history. EM feels most intertwined with AOUON’s work because the goal of All of Us or None is to strengthen the voices of people most affected by mass incarceration and the growth of the prison-industrial complex. Through our grassroots organizing, we are building a powerful political movement to win full restoration of our human and civil rights. EM gives us opportunities to use our voices and experiences to change policy and laws affecting us. Being a member of CJC allows us to network with likeminded organizations throughout MO.

Looking Back

1. How has partnering with Empower Missouri benefitted your organization, or led to growth? 

AOUON members have been given opportunities for growth by participating in EM trainings, learning the legislative process and using their voices and experiences to achieve real change in MO.

1. Tell us about one moment in your organization’s time partnering with Empower that you felt truly demonstrated the impact we are making together.

AOUON-STL and EM’s partnering has been very effective. In 2019 together we worked on and passed legislation removing mandatory minimums for people convicted of non-violent offenses. The law was retroactive and gave 900 incarcerated people their freedom within four months of passing. We are very proud to have accomplished this together.

Envisioning the Future

1. If you could pick one policy change that we could make next, what would it be and why?

AOUON would like to work on changing LWOP in MO. 

1. What advice would you give to an organization considering partnering with Empower?

Partnering with EM allows organizations to hear many perspectives. The opportunities to network, learn and make effective change in MO are endless. AOUON-STL highly recommends a partnership.

Just for Fun

1. Describe your organization in three words, and describe Empower Missouri in three words. (Any overlap or complementary traits?)

I would describe AOUON-STL using the following words: passionate, empowering and effective. EM could be described with these words: smart, collaborative and effective.

1. What theme song would you pick for your organization’s partnership with Empower Missouri?

Fortunate Son:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40JmEj0_aVM&list=RD40JmEj0_aVM&start_radio=1

Blowin’ In The Wind:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpD26IoRLvA&list=RDKpD26IoRLvA&start_radio=1