Exodus Foundation.org Beckons Support from U.S. Congress to Reform U.S. Prison System—Public Rally Planned for March 26, 2015 in Nation’s Capital

National organization that advocates for at-risk and incarcerated African Americans will hold a public forum and rally in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2015, as a means to influence Congress and other political leaders to make certain lasting reforms to the U.S. Prison System.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Exodus Foundation.org announced its plan to host a public rally in the Nation’s Capital in an effort to garner support from Congress for a Sense of the House Resolution, a bill that establishes the will of the Congress to move forward on something.  This type of bill is introduced like other bills that become law, and is being prepared by Exodus Foundation.org and its advisors. The initiative is calling on Congress to reform the U.S. Prison System through the implementation of a Restorative Justice program in order to dramatically reduce racial disparities, reduce recidivism rates, reduce mass incarceration and save taxpayers’ dollars. A congressional luncheon symposium organized by Dr. Madeline McClenney, founder of Exodus Foundation.org, is slated for Thursday, March 26 from 12:00-1:30 p.m.  A rally is currently being planned  and scheduled from 12:00-7:00 p.m., and details can be found on their Facebook page.  The events are open to the media and the public. Space at the symposium is limited and can be reserved at dc@exodusfoundation.org.

“The symposium will educate and inform participants about H.R.1000 crime prevention, and a crime prevention resolution and jobs bill,” said Dr. Madeline McClenney. “The public needs to be aware of successful, evidence-based re-entry programs nationwide that promote the general welfare of returning citizens, and the effectiveness of juvenile and adult mentoring programs,” she said. “The Campaign for Commutations and Pardons championed by Exodus Foundation.org and its partners, which is aimed at reducing recidivism and strengthening families, and restorative justice as an alternative to criminal justice are also primary talking points.  This event is designed to make solutions the focus of our dialogue and the actions needed to restore our national community,” McClenney stated.

To garner colossal support for the initiative, Exodus Foundation.org has published a proclamation petition currently available on their Facebook page through Change.org where they are seeking 1,000,000 signatures. A panel of high-profile political and civic leaders is expected to attend the historical event, and will address the public in an effort to support Congressional action. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Clarence Newsome, President of the National Underground Railroad Freedome Center; Dr. Christine Warnke, Hogan Lovells; Michael McBride, National Director of PICO; and Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad, Howard University Sociology Dept. Additional leaders will be announced soon.  

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD, SIGN THE PETITION TODAY! To learn more about the Reform the U.S. Prison System Congressional symposium and rally, log onto www.ExodusFoundation.org. For the latest updates and details follow @redseacrossings, or contact Jennifer Colter, SRT & Associates, at jcolter@srileythomas.com or call (323) 379-4472.

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About Exodus Foundation.org
Identified as 1 of “15 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2015” by the Center for American Progress, Dr. McClenney-Sadler is a Baptist preacher with years of experience working on criminal justice issues.

Rev. Madeline McClenney-Sadler, Ph.D. first envisioned mobilizing African American churches and communities to fight mass incarceration while she was completing her master of divinity degree at Howard University. As she completed doctoral studies in Religion at Duke University’s Divinity program in 1999, she founded ExodusFoundation.org to reduce the incarceration of at-risk African Americans and to address the diverse challenges that confront incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Dr. McClenney-Sadler is a highly sought-after adviser and a primary voice in this field, and under her leadership the organization provides mentoring and scholarship programs in high-risk communities, as well as resources and support to address challenges that formerly incarcerated people face, such as social isolation and barriers to employment.

About SRT

S. Riley, Thomas & Associates (SRT) is a full-service consulting firm based in Houston (TX) with associates in Los Angeles (CA), Washington (DC), Atlanta (GA), Charlotte (NC) and New York (NY).  SRT provides a wide range of services in the areas of client and project management, public relations, event planning and consulting for all types of companies.