Norris Henderson, a former OSI Soros Justice Fellow, is executive director of Voice of the Ex-Offender (VOTE), which he incorporated in 2004. Mr. Henderson has had tremendous success in his work impacting policy and public discourse about police accountability, public defense, and reforming the notorious Orleans Parish Prison. As someone who was wrongfully incarcerated for 27 years, Mr. Henderson experienced firsthand the racism and brutality of the criminal justice system, and is now committed to work with communities of color to protect themselves from the justice system and build a stronger New Orleans, rich in culture and diversity. Since his release in 2003, Mr. Henderson has applied the skills learned during 27 years as a prison paralegal, advocate, and organizer to a number of leadership positions, including Co-Director of Safe Streets/Strong Communities and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Louisiana Justice Coalition. Mr. Henderson serves on a number of organizations’ Board of Directors including Innocence Project of New Orleans and Family & Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children.