Lucinda Cross is a pivotal figure in advocating for the voting rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.
As the founder of the nonprofit organization Activate Your Life, she has made it her mission to ensure that these individuals are aware of their rights and are registered to vote.
Cross launched the nonprofit in 2015, focusing on assisting formerly incarcerated women and youth aged 18 to 24 as they reenter society.
Through her work, Cross discovered a significant issue: many people who served time in prison were unaware of their eligibility to vote.
“I was constantly hearing, ‘I can’t vote, I’m not allowed to vote, or I have a felony,’” Cross told Black Enterprise. Recognizing the knowledge gap, she decided to take action.
Cross pointed out that more than 600,000 individuals are released from prison annually in the United States, with many being eligible to vote.
“That’s a big piece of the pie that’s missing in the electorate,” she explained.
While some states like Washington, D.C., Maine, and Vermont allow individuals to vote without losing their rights, others have stricter laws, such as Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, and Kentucky.
Cross’s goal is to educate people about their voting rights and encourage their participation in the democratic process.
For Cross, this mission is deeply personal.
At 19, she was sentenced to federal prison for 3.5 years. Upon her release, she faced the daunting task of finding a job within 30 days, with limited options available.
“When coming home, you’re told you have 30 days to get a job or you’re going back,” she recalled, noting the lack of supportive programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, particularly women, who often face additional judgment and barriers. “Society already has a label on you, so it’s hard to get housing and the basic support you need with a felony or background,” Cross added.
She stressed the need for comprehensive support, noting that many women return to the environments they left, often struggling with shame and embarrassment.
On October 11, 2024, the anniversary of her 1996 arrest, Cross plans to host a voting rally in Queens, New York, aimed at registering formerly incarcerated individuals to vote.
“The goal is to get individuals to register to vote, understand their rights as a citizen, and to push for restorative justice,” she said.
Cross’s journey from a formerly incarcerated individual to the founder and CEO of a nonprofit is a testament to the possibility of life after prison.
With the help of a friend, she found employment at a telemarketing company, which set her on a different path.
Recognizing the unique challenges women face, her nonprofit offers programs beyond basic employment training, focusing on life skills, public speaking, and personal branding.
Having eventually returned to school to major in Organizational Leadership, Cross took a decade to build her nonprofit. Through her efforts, she has positively impacted over 20,000 women and youth, providing them with the tools to rebuild their lives.
Her advocacy for restorative justice and voting rights continues to expand, offering hope and resources to those reentering society.
