July 31st 2024.
Lucinda Cross is on a mission to empower formerly incarcerated individuals by ensuring that they know their voting rights and have the opportunity to exercise their civic duty. As the founder and CEO of her nonprofit, Activate Your Life, Cross has been working tirelessly since 2015 to support and guide formerly incarcerated women and youth between the ages of 18 and 24 as they reintegrate into society. Through her work, she has noticed a concerning trend - many people who have served time in prison are not aware that they still have the right to vote.
"It's disheartening to hear individuals say, 'I can't vote' or 'I'm not allowed to vote' simply because they have a felony," Cross shared in an interview with BlackEnterprise. "This lack of awareness among the formerly incarcerated community sparked a fire in me to take action."
According to Cross, there are over 600,000 people released from prison every year in the United States, and a significant number of them are eligible to vote. "That's a big piece of the pie missing from the electorate," she emphasized. "In some states, voting rights are never lost, while in others, they are automatically restored after serving time."
However, Cross acknowledges that there are states, such as Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, and Kentucky, that have stricter policies when it comes to restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated citizens. But through her nonprofit, her goal is to educate and empower individuals to participate in the democratic process, regardless of their past.
This mission is deeply personal for Cross, as she herself was sentenced to federal prison at the young age of 19. After serving 3.5 years, she was faced with the daunting task of finding a job within just 30 days. However, her options were limited, with only fast food, parenting, cosmetology, or horticulture classes being offered to her. "There is a significant lack of programming for formerly incarcerated individuals to rebuild their lives, especially for women who face an additional layer of judgment," Cross shared.
"Society already has a label on you, making it difficult to find housing or receive basic support with a felony on your record. Women often suffer in silence due to feelings of shame and embarrassment. As a woman, you're expected to be perfect, so it's even harder to overcome the stigma of having a criminal record," she explained.
Cross considers herself fortunate to have had a friend who helped her find a job at a telemarketing company, giving her a different path from the one expected of her. But she recognizes that not everyone has the same support system, which is why she is dedicated to filling the gap for women through her nonprofit. "We offer more than just 'dress for success' programs. Our focus is on life skills, public speaking, and effective communication to help women feel confident in their job search. We also provide programs on personal branding to help them feel good about themselves, and I share my own story to inspire and motivate them," she shared.
After her job at the telemarketing company, Cross went on to work at a hospital before returning to school to major in Organizational Leadership. It took her 10 years after her time in federal prison to build her nonprofit, but she is living proof that there is life after prison. Through her nonprofit and the conferences she hosts for those reentering society, she has helped over 20,000 women and youth. Recently, she has expanded her activism to include restorative justice and restoring voting rights for convicted felons.
On October 11, 2024, the same date she was arrested in 1996, Cross plans to host a voting rally in Queens, New York, to register formerly incarcerated individuals to vote. "Our goal is to not only get people registered to vote but also to educate them about their rights as citizens and advocate for restorative justice," Cross explained. "The power of voting is crucial, and we want to make sure that everyone, regardless of their past, has the opportunity to exercise that power."
Cross's dedication and commitment to empowering the formerly incarcerated community is truly inspiring, and she continues to make a positive impact through her nonprofit. As the issue of voting rights for convicted felons remains in the hands of state governments, Cross's efforts serve as a reminder that every voice and vote matters in our democracy.
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