Desmond Meade

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. He 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, Meade’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, Meade’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.