deray mckesson

100 miles from the border is not the border | Episode 125 ft @iamderay of @campaignzero | #explore #podcastclips

Today I turn 39. Time really does fly! I woke up incredibly grateful for my friends and their love. I’ve learned so much in this past year: 1. Tell them you love them. 2. Let people love you. 3. You deserve magic. 4. It is possible in this lifetime. 5. Yes to this life. 6. Love changes the world. 7. Being black is a superpower. Here’s to another year. Let’s do this. [📸: @elliott_ashby ]

I’ve learned so much about my body, about fitness, about consistency, and the power of dedication in the past year. Now I just need to apply that focus and consistency to cardio because it’s just so boring to me! Alas, here’s to getting a little better every day. 🏋🏿‍♂️🏋🏿‍♂️🏋🏿‍♂️🏋🏿‍♂️

Today in Maryland, House Bill 467 / Senate Bill 822 was signed into law and we were honored to be there. This is a massive step forward for parole reform in Maryland and one of the most consequential updates to the state’s parole process in decades. Because of this bill, most people will now receive parole hearings every two years, and no one will wait longer than five years. That means more transparency, more accountability, and a process that better reflects dignity and due process. This bill is going to help a lot of people, families, and communities. We’ll have more to share about the bill and what it means soon. #CampaignZero #ParoleReform #Maryland #CriminalJusticeReform #EndMassIncarceration

Today Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed into law SB822/HB467, the most comprehensive change to parole in MD since parole began. We worked on this legislation for two years — from conception to drafting and advocacy. And now it’s the law! For the first time, it guarantees that there’s a guaranteed and predictable hearing schedule for every parole eligible person, requires that hearings are recorded, proactively gives incarcerated people their parole files for review, requires that specific data is made public about the parole process yearly, and requires a rationale be provided for each decision. Big shout out to Del. Embry and Sen. Will Smith who made it happen. And to Jacob who led this campaign and passed his first law! Also, they give you the pen that the governor used to sign the bill and that’s a cool memento to forever remember this moment. Let’s end mass incarceration in this lifetime.

I ran Central Park today. I did it. Boom. Another check mark on my running bucket list. And it felt good today. I cleared my mind on this run and I’m pumped to add new goals to the running list. Soon I’ll join a running club or do social running. Almost there!

When l was showing @hartbreak the Baltimore house and neighborhood I grew up, we FaceTimed my father who he, and many of my friends have met before. Calvin is always so much joy. And he met my mother, Joan, who came back into my life when I was 30. And then we went to the corner store and they saw CJ’s camera and asked for a photoshoot. And for everyone who knew Grandma’s house, they remember the floral entrance that is now replaced by this ramp!

A few weeks ago @hartbreak was in Baltimore and we went by my grandmother’s house. It was a life highlight to be able to introduce one of my best friends to my mother, uncles, and cousins. I am forever thankful for his friendship, counsel, and love. Having great friends really is a game changer. So many generations grew up in and around this house. It holds lifetimes of stories. And to have professional photos of grandma’s house is a gift. Even tho my grandmother has since passed, the house is still a time capsule of sorts. And my mother and uncles remain their own Baltimore sitcom! We went to the corner store to run an errand for my mother and people requested a mini photoshoot when they realized CJ had a camera. It was perfect.

On the road to a 20 min 5K! And today was my 20th ever run more than a mile. I also need to figure out what’s going on with my right ankle. I’ll be joining some organized running once I have 25+ plus runs under my belt.

I love making big goals and working to meet them. And I just started running on March 8th, the first time I’d ever run up to or more than a mile! Here’s to reaching these goals. 🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏾‍♂️

Parole decisions shape lives, families, and entire communities but for too long, that process in Maryland lacked basic transparency and accountability. House Bill 467 / Senate Bill 822 changes that. This is one of the most consequential updates to Maryland parole law in decades because it moves the system closer to what it should have been all along: fair, timely, and clear. Previously, state law did not specify how often people should receive parole hearings. The legislature said a person’s crime was eligible for parole. The judge said their conviction was eligible for parole. But people could still wait decades between hearings. This bill changes that by ensuring most people receive parole hearings every two years, and no one will wait longer than five years. That isn’t special treatment. That’s due process. Parole reform is public safety work. It is dignity. It is accountability. And it is a reminder that systems can be changed when people fight for better. #CampaignZero #ParoleReform #Maryland #CriminalJusticeReform #EndMassIncarceration

It was an honor to moderate a conversation between Gov. Wes Moore and Rockefeller Foundation President Dr. Raj Shah at the Baltimore Big Bets Summit. It’s a city on the rise and it’s great to see everyone finally on the same page about the needed change and strategy.