OUR STAFF
LEADERSHIP
State Director
We are committed to ensuring that formerly incarcerated people and their families serve in leadership roles as board members, staff, and member leaders. All of our staff are directly impacted and focus on building chapters with other directly impacted leaders across Ohio.
Chapters serve as a political home where people organize to build collective power to enact change locally and statewide.
Staff organizers work with chapters to:
Build a strong base of organized people who can wield power.
Recruit and train volunteer organizers who are impacted by and passionate about ending mass incarceration
Plan and run campaigns that win changes in our lives.
Conduct voter registration, education and mobilization with the aim of educating people about what’s on the ballot and how they can use their power as voters to make change
Work in coalition with legal, policy, and direct service providers to create transformative pathways to power.
ORGANIZING
Organizer, Building Freedom Ohio
Born and raised in Akron, Donovan developed a deep-rooted connection to his community from an early age. Donovan witnessed firsthand and later experienced the challenges faced by marginalized individuals, particularly within the criminal justice system, igniting within him a fervent desire to advocate for reform and equality.
Driven by his convictions, Donovan embarked on a personal journey, amplifying the voices of those often unheard. From organizing grassroots campaigns to participating in advocacy efforts, he has consistently fought for the rights and fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance.
Donovan's leadership extends beyond his local community, as he has traveled extensively, sharing his expertise and insights with others across the nation. He has collaborated with like-minded individuals and organizations, fostering alliances aimed at advancing social and criminal justice causes.
As a father, Donovan is driven by a profound sense of responsibility to leave behind a world that is more equitable for future generations. He firmly believes in leading by example, instilling in his children the values of empathy, compassion, and activism.
Donovan Harris stands as a beacon of hope within the Akron community and beyond, inspiring others to join him in the fight for social justice and equality. With unwavering dedication and a commitment to leaving a lasting impact, he embodies the words of Malcolm X: "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."