Oscar-Winning Artist And Activist Common To Host Historic Community Concert In Sacramento, "Imagine Justice" With Special Guest J. Cole To Advocate For Justice Reform

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy and Oscar-Winning Artist and Activist Common will be joined by a number of special guests including J. Cole, Goapele, Van Jones and more on Capitol Mall in Sacramento to host a community concert, Imagine Justice, to advocate for criminal justice reform on Monday, August 21.

The free community concert, for all-ages, is an opportunity to bring diverse audiences together for a historical performance by artists and activist who believe that reform, redemption and rehabilitation are critical for the betterment of all of society. Centered at the intersection of art and activism, Imagine Justice will spark meaningful dialogue around mass incarceration and justice, provide audiences with an enriching and unforgettable cultural experience, and amplify messages of hope, justice, change, and love.

On March 28-31, Common kicked off a Hope and Redemption Tour by playing four shows, in four prisons, in four days. Since then, Common has visited the California State Capitol to meet with various legislators about criminal justice reform bills, participated in a number of community events and visited numerous state prisons throughout Southern California.

"Visiting these prisons and speaking with the men and women inside during the Hope & Redemption Tour had a profound impact on me. I believe it is my duty to lend my voice to the voiceless and stand with the men and women in prison who have been silenced for so long. We need a justice system that is a tool for rehabilitation rather than a weapon for punishment," said Common.

On August 21, Common will continue his advocacy work in justice reform with a community concert on Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol where he and special guests including J. Cole will take to the stage for an inspiring and empowering evening of music and unity. The next day, Common will join multiple organizations in the State Capitol for several meetings with the Governor, caucuses and other legislators to discuss a number of upcoming bills. Following his visit to the State Capitol, Common will travel to the historic Folsom State Prison to perform for the men in prison, joined by special guest Goapele and Mike Epps.

Doors open for Imagine Justice concert at 4:00 PM and the featured programming will kick off at 6:00 PM. Imagine Justice will include live performances by Common, J. Cole, Goapele, Los Rakas, Syncopated Ladies and more. The concert will feature guest speakers DeVon Franklin, Bryonn Bain and Van Jones.

Admission to the event is free with advance registration. More than 30,000 guests have registered and no further registrations can be accepted.

Imagine Justice is supported by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which provides support for formerly incarcerated young people and advocates for justice reform. Organizations partnering on the event include: All of Us or None, Always Knocking, Blackout for Human Rights, Boys and Men of Color Alliance, Californians for Safety and Justice, California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice, Communities for a New California Education Fund, Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), East Asian Youth Center- Sacramento, Ella Baker Center, Equality California, La Familia, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, PICO, Presente.org, Sacramento ACT, Sacramento Building Healthy Communities, Sacramento City Unified School District – Youth Development Support Services, Sacramento Reinvestment Coalition, Self-Awareness and Recovery (SAR), Sol Collective, Youth Justice Coalition.

For real-time updates and announcements around Imagine Justice, follow @ImaginexJustice on Twitter and Instagram. Join the conversation using the hashtag #ImagineJustice and #SchoolsNotPrisons. To download the official posters and additional promotional material, click HERE.

About Common
Common is an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy winning artist, actor, film producer, and activist. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, "Glory," from the film "Selma." Common also co-starred in the film as civil rights movement leader James Bevel. His album, "Black America Again," focuses on themes of social injustice, including the fight against mass incarceration. He was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for his song "Letter to the Free" which was featured in the Netflix Documentary "13^th."  Common also is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation, with a mission of empowering high school students to become future leaders through programs focused on character development, healthy living, financial literacy, and creative expression.

About the Anti-Recidivism Coalition
ARC serves nearly 350 formerly incarcerated men and women, who commit to living crime-free, gang-free, and drug-free; enrolling in school, working, or actively searching for work; and being of service to their community. ARC's advocacy has led to numerous reforms of the juvenile justice system, including limiting the practice of sentencing juveniles to life without the possibility of parole, and providing second chances to individuals who committed their crimes as youth and received adult prison sentences. ARC has offices in Los Angeles and Sacramento, and members in Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, see http://www.antirecidivism.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael Latt, 310-720-9002
[email protected]

SOURCE Common

Related Links

http://commongroundfoundation.org