Alice Marie Johnson Celebrates Five Years of Freedom and Honors Kim Kardashian with Champion of Justice Award at L.A. Event

Celebrating a Milestone and Recognizing a Driving Force for Criminal Justice Reform

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, June 8, Alice Marie Johnson, former federal prisoner turned criminal justice reform advocate, CEO and Founder of Taking Action for Good (TAG), and Stand Together Ambassador, hosted a remarkable event at Spring Place – Beverly Hills to commemorate her Golden Anniversary, marking five years of freedom. The event also included a special tribute to Kim Kardashian, recognizing her pivotal role in securing Alice’s clemency.

At the event, Kim Kardashian said, “Alice always thanks me, but I always thank her because through this process I feel like she’s really given me purpose, and I think to find your purpose in life and to find what you can do for other people is such a powerful thing.” 

The star-studded event commenced with a red carpet, walked by prominent individuals from various fields, including formerly incarcerated individuals who had regained their freedom with Alice’s assistance. The programming featured remarks by several friends and people who have been impacted by Alice, including Kim Kardashian, and two lyrical performances by Broadway performer and singer, Syndee Winters.

Other speakers included:

• Alice Marie Johnson’s family, including her daughter, Catina Johnson, sister, Dolores Hill, sister, Patricia Taylor and nephew, Derek Hill. 
• Michael “Harry O. Harris,” a multi-faceted entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Death Row Records. 
• Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit who was formerly incarcerated and has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform.  
• Cheryl Ward, a close friend of Alice’s who served the most time with her while they were both incarcerated. She now works in the reentry space at A New Way of Life Reentry Project.  
• Casiana Foghis, a close companion of Alice’s while they were both incarcerated, has since established a successful real estate development consulting firm and actively engages in community service. 
• Ashley Bell, Founder and CEO of Ready Life who is dedicated to supporting economic growth and empowering entrepreneurs. He plays a crucial role in the National Black Bank Foundation and the Black Bank Fund, facilitating significant financial transactions with Black-owned banks for various development projects. 
• Antong Lucky, President & CEO of Urban Specialists, a former gang-leader who transformed his life after prison to become a respected mentor and advocate for ending violence in urban communities.   
• Evan Feinberg, Executive Director of Stand Together Foundation, an organization that is breaking barriers, improving lives, and transforming communities. 

The event featured a heartfelt panel discussion led by Alice’s family, delving into the lasting effects of the justice system on families and reflecting on the significance of Alice’s five years of freedom. The panel provided a powerful testament to the transformative power of second chances and the resilience of families impacted by incarceration.

The event culminated in a special moment as Alice honored Kim Kardashian with the inaugural Champion of Justice Award from Taking Action for Good for Kim’s unwavering dedication to criminal justice reform and the countless lives she has positively impacted.

The event served as a celebration of Alice and everything she has accomplished over the past five years. Her story and work were highlighted as a testament to the power of second chances, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Alice Marie Johnson expressed her gratitude and excitement, stating, “I’ll be forever grateful to those who never stopped believing in me both inside of prison and out, especially my war angel, Kim Kardashian. It is incredibly meaningful to be able to celebrate this milestone with so many friends, loved ones, and supporters. But this event is not just a celebration of my own freedom – it’s a celebration of all the wonderful things that so many others have accomplished with their own second chances, many of whom attended tonight’s event. It’s critical that we keep spotlighting their success stories while we fight for those still trapped in the system – we will not forget them. I am committed to what we can accomplish in the next five years.”

Since her release from prison on June 6, 2018, Alice has dedicated herself to making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals while prioritizing community safety. She has actively built bridges between communities and law enforcement, recognizing the vital role trust and collaboration plays in ensuring public safety. Alice has been a steadfast advocate for the release of deserving individuals from the criminal justice system, successfully providing assistance to dozens of individuals in their pursuit of a second chance. Additionally, she has collaborated with programs aimed at supporting and empowering youth who have been involved in the justice system, guiding them towards a brighter future. Alice’s unwavering commitment to creating positive change has earned her widespread recognition and admiration.

“It’s an honor to know and work with Alice. I am inspired by her leadership and truly believe if every person in the country could meet Alice, hear her story, and see her dedication on behalf of others, our country would be forever changed,” said Evan Feinberg, Executive Director of Stand Together Foundation. “Alice’s story encapsulates what we believe can be achieved with a better criminal justice system. By treating people with dignity and respect, prioritizing rehabilitation, and providing second chances to those who deserve them, we can both improve public safety and enrich communities. The Stand Together community is proud to stand alongside Alice on some of the most important work imaginable.”

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Background:

Alice Marie Johnson

Alice Marie Johnson is a former federal prisoner turned criminal justice reform advocate, author and non-profit leader. Her life’s mission is to unite people around love, compassion, and redemption for the men and women in our nation’s justice system. Her story is chronicled in her memoir, After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom. Alice received worldwide attention when Kim Kardashian advocated for her release from a mandatory life sentence without parole for a first-time nonviolent drug case. After almost 22 years in federal prison, Alice was granted clemency in 2018 by President Trump and a full pardon in 2020.

Upon her release, Alice made a promise to the women and men that she left behind that she would never stop fighting for them and launched Taking Action for Good. As CEO, Alice serves as a powerful voice for the voiceless in the justice system. Alice advocates for clemency and pardons for deserving individuals, policy changes that focus on redemption and rehabilitation instead of punishment. Alice has successfully advocated for more than 100 clemency and pardon applicants and 46 individuals have received a second chance due to these efforts. Her powerful story has been deemed a “catalyst” for the passage of the First Step Act, the most significant criminal justice legislation in recent history.

Alice is a Stand Together Ambassador and partner and has served as an inspiration and a mentor to Café Momentum interns.

About Taking Action for Good (TAG)

Taking Action for Good (TAG) was established by Alice Marie Johnson to lend a voice to the voiceless and to humanize the countless men and women impacted by the criminal justice system. The non-profit has advocated on behalf of more than 100 clemency and pardon applicants and has helped 46 deserving individuals get a second chance at life. It continues to uplift and spotlight formerly incarcerated people who are making good use of their second chances and positively impacting their communities. TAG believes that whole communities are safe communities and that second chances are one of the most important cornerstones of our nation. It continues to fight for policy changes focused on redemption and rehabilitation, and promotes the belief that everyone has the ability to take action for good. Learn more here, https://www.takingactionforgood.org/ and follow us on social media to learn how you can support our mission.