All Of Us Or None National Convening: Formerly incarcerated souljas unite to fight for freedom

August 12, 2025

The All of Us or None National Convening took place July 17-20, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, bringing together formerly incarcerated advocates from across the United States. Participants gathered to collaborate on advocacy work focused on restoring civil rights for currently and formerly incarcerated people, reuniting families, providing resources to those still imprisoned, and educating about new laws that could help with resentencing, parole, and release. The convening featured workshops on topics including basebuilding, using AI for liberation, and "crimmigation," creating an environment that the author, Robert Bowden, described as feeling like a family reunion for those dedicated to freeing incarcerated individuals.

Who is affected

Formerly incarcerated people who are advocacy workers
Currently incarcerated individuals ("souljas inside")
Families separated by incarceration
People seeking resentencing, elderly parole, and compassionate release
Individuals preparing for parole hearings
All of Us or None chapters from various cities (New York, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Illinois, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Wisconsin, St. Louis, Atlanta, Orange County, Austin and San Antonio)

What action is being taken

Advocacy work to restore human and civil rights of currently and formerly incarcerated people
Fighting against CPS to reunite families
Sharing information and resources with people in prison
Educating people about new bills and laws for resentencing, elderly parole, and compassionate release
Helping people prepare for parole hearings
Conducting workshops on basebuilding and using AI as a tool for liberation
Hosting panels on topics including "crimmigation"

Why it matters

The work helps free incarcerated people and supports "forgotten souljas behind those walls"
It provides a support network for advocates who might otherwise feel alone in their efforts
The convening creates a space for formerly incarcerated advocates to share resources and strategies
It helps participants fulfill personal commitments to being "part of the solution, not the problem"
The gathering offers education on new tools and approaches (like AI) that can aid advocacy work

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper