Dr. Desmond Meade

Dr. Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually become the President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, a graduate of Florida International University College of Law, a Ford Global Fellow, and a McArthur Foundation Fellow.

Under his leadership, FRRC achieved a historic victory with the passage of Amendment 4, restoring voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions—a milestone that marked the largest expansion of voting rights in the U.S. in 50 years. Dr. Meade’s work has earned FRRC a 2023 Nobel Peace Prize nomination, solidifying his impact on voting rights and justice reform.

Dr. Meade is a sought-after speaker, with appearances on platforms like MSNBC, Democracy NOW, and FOX News. He has spoken at the United Nations, testified before Congress, and continues to shape national discourse on criminal justice reform.