-
Has Anything Changed? Police Accountability Five Years After George Floyd
It’s been five years since the murder of George Floyd sparked a national reckoning. While some reforms have been proposed or enacted, many communities in Michigan are still asking: Has anything truly changed?
On Wednesday, May 28 from 12:00–1:30 PM, join us for a special Michigan Statewide Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community session focused on police accountability. We’ll hear from grassroots organizers, community leaders, and policy experts about what’s working, what still needs to change, and how we can collectively push for better systems of safety and justice.
This session will be moderated by Michael Taylor and will include space for questions, dialogue, and resource sharing.
💡 This is part of MI-CEMI’s Learning Community, a first-of-its-kind statewide space designed for those advancing efforts in restorative justice, police accountability, reentry, violence intervention, and incarceration prevention across Michigan.
Hosted by MI-CEMI in collaboration with the Detroit Justice Center, Friends of Restorative Justice, Emergent Justice, and Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities.
Register now
-
Next Up: Prison Programming Providers Table | May 13 at 12PM
At MI-CEMI, we believe that quality programming inside Michigan’s prisons is a cornerstone of both rehabilitation and dignity. That’s why we created the Prison Programming Providers Table—a quarterly space for educators, advocates, and organizers working inside to share resources, improve programming access and quality, and engage with advocacy efforts to address prison policy issues.
Our next virtual gathering is coming up on Tuesday, May 13th from 12:00–1:30 PM EST on Zoom, and we’d love to see you there.
This session will focus on one of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—aspects of the work:
How do we get inside, build meaningful relationships, and maintain healthy boundaries?We’ll be joined by featured panelists:
- Mark Hartman, Executive Director of Humanity for Prisoners and a formerly incarcerated advocate
- Paul Draus, University of Michigan Detroit Center, Inside/Out Program
Other speakers will be announced soon.
We’ll also leave plenty of time for open discussion—because we know many of you are navigating these challenges in real time.
Register now
-
Mic Check: Spokesperson Training for the Movement — RSVP Now
Your story has power—and your voice can move the needle.
MI-CEMI is proud to partner with Engage Michigan to offer Mic Check: Spokesperson Training for the Movement, a free virtual training built for directly impacted leaders, community organizers, and advocates across Michigan.
📅 Thursday, May 15, 2025
🕛 12:00–1:30 PM ET
📍 Online (Zoom link will be sent upon RSVP)
📩 RSVP today🎤 Speak Truth. Build Power.
This 90-minute session will help you develop the skills and confidence to speak with impact—whether you’re testifying at a public hearing, talking to the media, or posting on social media.
Participants will learn how to:
- Frame your message and demands with clarity and confidence
- Respond to tough or hostile questions while staying grounded
- Communicate your story across different media platforms
- Use media to build momentum and shift narratives
Register Now
-
Landmark Michigan Supreme Court Ruling for 19- and 20- years olds with LWOP
Earlier this month, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in People v. Czarnecki and People v. Taylor, holding that mandatory life without parole (LWOP) sentences for people who were 19 or 20 at the time of the offense are unconstitutional—and that this decision applies retroactively.
Combined with the People v. Poole ruling (affirming resentencing rights for 18-year-olds sentenced to mandatory LWOP), this means that over 800 individuals are now entitled to resentencing under Michigan law.
WHAT’S NEXT: Key Information from SADO- SADO has identified all 582 impacted individuals from the Czarnecki and Taylor rulings.
- An informational sheet is being sent to each person via MDOC (likely through JPay).
- A detailed letter outlining next steps and including the full court opinion will follow shortly.
- Attorneys will be appointed. If they don’t have one yet, they will.
- Please do not file anything on your own. It’s best for them to wait for the appointed attorney to guide the process.
- Be patient. This is a large group, and many have been waiting for decades—help is coming.
- Prepare for success. Stay misconduct-free, participate in programming, and take care of your health.
We will continue to share updates and resources as this process unfolds.
-
You’re Invited: Join Us for the First In-Person Michigan Statewide Incarceration & Violence Prevention Learning Community Event!
We are thrilled to invite you to the first-ever in-person gathering of the Michigan Statewide Incarceration & Violence Prevention Learning Community! This is an exciting opportunity to connect with advocates, leaders, and changemakers from across Michigan as we come together to share knowledge, learn from each other, and strengthen our collective efforts.
Event Details:
(more…)Date: Wednesday, April 30th
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: LOVE Building, 4731 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48208
