Black Grassroots Activism in 2023

By Sherri Kolade

Michigan Liberation, a non-profit organization, doesn’t shy away from problems of others looking to find resolve when their loved ones have been incarcerated.

In fact, Michigan Liberation seeks out issues to fix through justice, especially for those wrongfully convicted.

Michigan Liberation is a statewide network of people and organizations banding together to end the criminalization of Black families and communities of color in Michigan, their website stated. It “envision[s] a state without mass incarceration or mass policing.”

Marjon Parham, public relations manager for Michigan Liberation, told the Michigan Chronicle recently that this year she wants to see change come from the organization – particularly with a participatory defense program in Wayne, Oakland, and Kalamazoo helping returned citizens [formerly incarcerated residents] and their families.

“It is helping people to understand what goes through the booking process or arresting process,” she said previously.

According to its website, the group, which was established in 2018, also envisions a state with the best public education in the country, single-payer healthcare and vibrant Black and Brown neighborhoods. Additionally, Michigan Liberation engages in lobbying, leadership development, grassroots organization and support for politicians who share its vision for Michigan.

Alexandria Hughes, Supreme Court coordinator for Michigan Liberation, told the Michigan Chronicle that she helps to execute strategy on Supreme Court campaign decision-making and beyond.

This year, Hughes and the organization is focused on doing even more community activist work, especially in Black and Brown communities such as in Detroit and Dearborn.

“A lot of my work is around mental health as well as changing our legal system pertaining to ending the cash bail pre-trial system and creating mental health mobile response services,” she said of what local advocacy looks like to her. “I’m a firm believer that racism is a public health crisis.”