Denied clemency by President Bush, Clarence Aaron, a first-time offender, never gave up hope. He was granted a commutation by President Obama in December 2013.
Clarence, a first-time offender, spent 21 years behind bars. "I'm very remorseful for the decisions I made, and every day I worked to prove I was a better person than my sentence said I was," he said. "It's like I'm starting my life over again." Clarence stays in touch with other men who got clemency when he did, and they give each other support. #PresidentsDay
President Bush commuted Phillip Emmert's sentence in 2009 after he served 14 years of a 27-year federal sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. When he got out, he hit the ground running. "My motive was to teach myself a trade. And to this day, I still live that-I want to make sure that everything I do has the right motive. That's how I did my time. I never gave up hope. Hope is a powerful thing."
He's become a powerful advocate for reform, too, talking to lawmakers whenever he can. "If my voice can help even one person that was where I was at, then I will raise that voice."
Have you heard? The incredible Busta Rhymes is a supporter of our work! 
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As we take our mission to more capital steps and communities, we'll be asking all of our family members and advocates (BET Award winners or not) to take action with us. Whether it's calling a lawmaker or attending events, we need your help!
Learn more by joining our Facebook group today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/205965076662274/
BREAKING: The Senate Judiciary Committee just advanced the bipartisan #SentencingReform and Corrections Act (16-5). This is an important first step toward making our justice system more equitable and just!
