Missouri Justice Coalition was founded and led by a carceral systems impacted advocate to unify, amplify and uplift the voices, lived experiences and solutions of system-impacted persons.

ML Smith is a criminal punishment system-impacted advocate, abolitionist and activist whose carceral experiences included imprisonment during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made her intimately aware of the dire reality faced by our imprisoned populations, as well as the egregious actions and apathy of institution staff and administrators.

Being a Black, disabled, system-impacted woman who has experienced generational poverty is the foundation of her ideological framework, rooted in advocating for those suffering & struggling within a society created and built to oppress, marginalize and dehumanize targeted, vulnerable communities. ML is dedicated to using her experiences, knowledge, determination and voice in the struggle for equity, justice and recognition of humanity.

ML’s advocacy efforts extend to all facets of mass incarceration, including wrongful convictions, conditions of confinement, death penalty abolition, humane and adequate healthcare, legislative reforms and decarceration. ML founded and is Executive Director of Missouri Justice Coalition. She is a partner, leader, and advisor within several coalitions and cohorts.