An Expose’ By: Courtney Teasley, Criminal Defense Attorney, Business Coach, and Author
The United States is mired in a mass incarceration crisis that overwhelmingly affects Black Americans. Our criminal justice system isn’t just broken; it’s fundamentally stacked against the marginalized communities it’s meant to protect. Through over a decade of practicing criminal defense, teaching criminal justice, leading social justice initiatives, and holding lawyers and judges accountable for their actions and inactions regarding the rights of the Disproportionately Affected, Marginalized Minority (D.A.M.M.) Community, I’ve witnessed this injustice firsthand. This journey led to the creation of the MFn Framework, a proactive solution rooted in the mission of emeffen., a pioneering business committed to challenging harmful systems to create meaningful change. While Michelle Alexander’s seminal work, “The New Jim Crow,” exposed these inequities in 2006, real progress has been sluggish. It’s time for a new framework that emphasizes proactive strategies, and the MFn Solution offers just that.
M: Mindset — From Reactive to Proactive
We need a fundamental shift in mindset. For too long, the focus has been on reactive strategies that address issues after someone has been found guilty or taken a plea. The Sentencing Project’s report on mass incarceration trends shows how deeply embedded racial disparities persist. A proactive “innocent until proven guilty” mindset means investing in:
*Criminal Defense Organizing*:
o This approach involves building networks to actively support individuals facing unjust charges, particularly in cases that highlight systemic oppression against the D.A.M.M. community. Originating from a pivotal case where Black children were unjustly removed from their homes, this method not only advocates for robust legal representation but also mobilizes the community in real-time.
o By organizing community support around active cases, we shine a light on the injustices as they occur, rather than waiting until after the damage is done. Grounded in the strategies discussed in “The New Jim Crow,” this method leverages public perception as a fundamental tool in reshaping civil rights advocacy to challenge and expose systemic failings effectively.
*Funding Full Criminal Defense Needs*:
o This means ensuring people who are criminally charged receive the resources necessary for a robust defense, recognizing that each case demands unique support. This includes access to expert second opinions from lawyers and medical professionals, retesting of evidence such as drugs, and specialized monitoring services — all essential due to the high likelihood of facing representation with unconscious or conscious biases.
o Additionally, comprehensive funding covers the preparation of witnesses, research into jury pools, and other critical defense activities, aligning with the constitutional guarantee of being truly innocent until proven guilty, rather than presumed guilty upon arrest. This shift in mindset is crucial for combating systemic racism within the judicial process.
*Criminal Justice Literacy Education*:
o Empowering communities by deepening their understanding of the criminal justice system at every stage, from arrest to sentencing. This includes not only learning about legal rights but also engaging in mock interactions, court watching, and analyzing the disproportionate rates of incarceration faced by minorities. This comprehensive approach equips individuals to navigate and challenge the system more effectively.
→This proactive mindset is D.A.M.M. conscious and vital for knowing where and how to effectively invest in the most proactive methods to challenge mass incarceration. ←
F: Finesse — Recognizing the Problem and Monetizing Solutions
Reform efforts often emphasize reactive solutions like halfway houses, reentry programs, and conviction reviews, which address the aftermath of systemic failure. Organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice, the ACLU, and others have proposed reducing sentencing guidelines, eliminating prison for low-level crimes, and reducing the number of people that the police arrest. While these are steps in the right direction, progress has been hindered by reliance on slow-moving and underfunded systems. The finesse lies in leveraging for-profit models to address systemic problems. Here’s how:
*Recognize the Finesse*:
o To truly address the issue of mass incarceration, we must first recognize that its persistence is largely due to a reactive approach that has historically dominated criminal justice reform. This enduring reactive stance is not only maintained by systemic inertia but also fueled by a widespread aversion to advocating for those labeled as criminals — a sentiment highlighted by Michelle Alexander. This aversion persists despite knowing the harrowing statistics and understanding that 97% of people take plea deals for reasons often unrelated to guilt, such as coercion, lack of resources, or the fear of harsher sentences if they go to trial.
o We must awaken to the reality that a far greater opportunity lies in pivoting to proactive strategies — securing funding for innovative initiatives that genuinely drive impactful changes. This shift requires a critical understanding that moving resources towards preventive measures and creative solutions can dismantle the systemic structures that facilitate mass incarceration, rather than merely managing its consequences.
*Resource Allocation*:
o Effective resource allocation extends beyond just funding for legal defense; it encompasses a broader commitment to invest in proactive organizations and initiatives. Being D.A.M.M. conscious means that businesses can choose to not dismiss potential hires based on criminal records. Instead, they can employ innovative methods such as engaging a coach, conducting a D.A.M.M. analysis to understand an individual’s background, how they interacted with the legal system, and their aspirations for the future. This approach helps identify their goals, motivations, and vision for a life beyond their past encounters with the law, thus embodying a truly proactive and transformative method of resource allocation.
*Monetizing Innovative Solutions*:
o Moving beyond the misconception that individuals from the D.A.M.M. community cannot afford quality services, monetizing solutions involves creating profitable strategies that deliver high-quality, effective resources. This approach recognizes the value and spending power within these communities, treating members not as charity cases but as discerning consumers who demand excellence and innovation.
o By integrating profit-driven models, businesses can sustainably invest in developing solutions that genuinely meet the needs of those affected by mass incarceration. This not only enhances service quality but also fosters a creative environment where technological advancements and new strategies are continuously harnessed. Encouraging initiatives such as high school and college student think tanks can further this creativity, allowing young leaders to actively participate in addressing systemic challenges and innovating for the future.
→ True innovation in business models requires a profound mindset shift to a D.A.M.M. conscious approach, where the mission and/or values of a business actively address systemic injustices. This could involve leveraging a company’s influence to raise awareness, launch community-focused initiatives, or forge partnerships with organizations committed to proactive reforms. By deeply understanding and empathizing with the needs of the D.A.M.M. community, businesses can creatively engineer solutions that not only support but sustainably impact those affected by mass incarceration.←
N: Non-Negotiable — The Call for Substantive Action
For too long, corporate efforts have been fleeting, often tied to trending hashtags rather than substantive investment in marginalized communities. Businesses and organizations must commit to proactively fighting mass incarceration, ensuring that being D.A.M.M. conscious is a non-negotiable part of their core values. This requires:
*Substantive Investment and Long-Term Commitment*:
o True substantive investment means engaging with communities on a deep level, not just as consumers but as integral partners in the broader fight for justice. This type of investment goes beyond surface-level involvement; it’s about showing up consistently, not only in times of crisis or when it’s financially convenient. Substantive investing requires prioritizing systemic change over short-term trends and actively pushing for meaningful reform, demonstrating a commitment to not being a fair-weather supporter.
o It involves investing in long-term initiatives that address core issues, partnering closely with the community to understand and meet their needs, and crafting solutions that are sustainable and impactful. This approach ensures that efforts are not reactionary but are a steadfast part of an ongoing strategy to effect real and lasting change that is felt deep within the community.
→ This steadfast commitment to proactive action ensures that businesses and organizations play a vital role in dismantling the systems that perpetuate mass incarceration. By embedding these principles deeply within their core values, they can drive lasting, meaningful change.←
Now, let’s delve into how the D.A.M.M. Advocate Training equips organizations, business leaders, and professionals to champion these proactive strategies effectively.
The D.A.M.M. Advocate Training
The D.A.M.M. Advocate Training is designed to empower businesses, grassroot organizations, and legal professionals to fight against mass incarceration effectively and proactively. Created in direct response to the harsh statistics discussed earlier in this expose’, this training draws from the practical experiences and insights of a criminal defense trial attorney, Strengths Coach, and D.A.M.M. Advocate. It equips participants with the tools to understand the intricacies of the criminal justice system, strategically navigate it, and champion real reform. Participants will gain invaluable insights into building proactive strategies, supporting community education, and leveraging their influence for systemic change.
Addressing the Pink Elephant in the Room
The framework ‘MFn’ may seem provocative to some, but it’s a direct response to the offensive statistics and largely reactive efforts to combat this issue. The name “emeffen.” may also raise eyebrows, being a euphemism in African American English (AAE), the official language of our company, for a term that demands attention to something of utmost importance — like the glaring disparities in mass incarceration. Black Americans aren’t just five times more incarcerated than the 60% white majority — they are six times more incarcerated. This gap is widening because of our reliance on reactive measures to fight this injustice. This name is our response to an offensive reality, and it underscores our commitment to addressing these issues head-on.
Call to Action: Become More D.A.M.M. Conscious
Are you ready to ensure your business embodies the D.A.M.M. mindset and contributes to dismantling mass incarceration? Use your business to bring awareness to mass incarceration by collaborating on a proactive initiative with emeffen. Together, we can make a difference and create a fairer, more equitable system that serves everyone. Join us in the MFn Solution, and let’s make history together.
