BORN WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN’S PRISON CREATIVE ARTS PROJECT (PCAP), THE LINKAGE COMMUNITY HAS GROWN INTO A VIBRANT, STATEWIDE COLLECTIVE OF ARTISTS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF INCARCERATION.

Our Mission

The Linkage Community forms a creative network with and for people directly impacted by incarceration. Together, we dismantle isolation, build bridges of opportunity, and connect through creativity.

Our Vision

A future where creatives thrive beyond incarceration, linked into dynamic arts networks to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Our Values

INTEGRITY + ETHICS...We uphold ethical responsibility & transparency in all we do.

HUMANITY….We meet one another with care, empathy, & love.

ARTISTIC LIBERATION…..We embrace the transformative power of creativity & expression.

LIVED EXPERIENCE….We prioritize those directly impacted by mass incarceration as field experts, seeking their insight to lead our work.

COLLABORATION….We respond to the aspirations of our members & grow stronger through partnerships with allies.

PEOPLE

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

To challenge and transform systemic hierarchies and supremacy, the Linkage Community is committed to cultivating a non-hierarchical environment. We prioritize shared power and collective decision-making across all aspects of our work—from social media to partnerships and programming.

We acknowledge that practicing power-sharing and non-hierarchical collaboration is complex and requires ongoing intention, patience, and care. As we work to dismantle traditional structures, we also recognize the need to navigate and sometimes utilize existing frameworks, such as job titles, as part of our transitional journey toward a more equitable and liberated way of operating.

STAFF

Sarah Unrath

Executive Director

Frannie Shepherd-Bates

Director of Development

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD

Shelly Lyons Mac

Kimiko Uyeda

Owner | 3rdCoastPros

Marjani Abdur-Rahman

Brandon Fletcher

Program Associate | Vera Institute of Justice

Mario Bueno

Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur

Executive Director | Michigan Roundtable for Justice Communities

Vitalis Im

Assistant Professor of Health and Human Services | University of Michigan–Dearborn

Anna Kohn

Reentry Supervisor | Michigan State Appellate Defender Office

CIRCLE OF ADVISORS

Adam Grant

Executive Director |
A Brighter Way

COMMITTEE LEADS

Thank you to Transition Steering committee members. Linkage is profoundly
grateful to these members have guided the transition.

PARTNERS

The Nisson Family Foundation

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

ACCOUNTABILITY STRATEGY

Centering Lived Experience

Commitment: We put people who are system-impacted in leadership

Actions Taken
– Ensuring 75% of our Board of Directors have lived experience in incarceration
– Empower member led subcommittees to advise and collaborate directly with the Board
Accountability Review our governance to confirm that impacted voices stay at the center

Fostering Respect + Belonging

Commitment: We cultivate a community where every person can show up authentically and be met with respect

Actions Taken
– Member developed Code of Conduct for enrollment, outlining peer expectations of members
– Holding biannual listening circles to evaluate standards
– Use restorative dialogue to address conflicts
Accountability Report annually on Code of Conduct community feedback and refine our approach

Access + Equity in Opportunity

Commitment: We aim to eliminate obstacles in member’s full participation

Actions Taken
– Offer travel reimbursements, logistical support, and digital skills training
– Conduct periodic equity audits of programs, applications, and resource distributions
Accountability Release an annual impact report with equity metrics and our plans to close any gaps

Education + Growth

Commitment: We prioritize continuous personal, artistic, and professional development for all members

Actions Taken
– Provide training for Linkage staff and mentors on available resources
– Actively seek connections in areas identified by community members
Accountability Track and evaluate referral outcomes, making adjustments quarterly

Transparent Partnerships + Ethical Practice

Commitment: We uphold integrity and transparency in all our partnerships

Actions Taken
– Vet partnerships based on values alignment and past community feedback
– Clearly outline roles, shared power, and mutual benefits in partnership agreements
Accountability Publish an annual review of partnerships, including community feedback on alignment and impact

Centering Lived Experience

Commitment: We put people who are system-impacted in leadership

Actions Taken
– Ensuring 75% of our Board of Directors have lived experience in incarceration
– Empower member led subcommittees to advise and collaborate directly with the Board
Accountability
Review our governance to confirm that impacted voices stay at the center

Fostering Respect + Belonging

Commitment: We cultivate a community where every person can show up authentically and be met with respect

Actions Taken
– Member developed Code of Conduct for enrollment, outlining peer expectations of members
– Holding biannual listening circles to evaluate standards
– Use restorative dialogue to address conflicts
Accountability
Report annually on Code of Conduct community feedback and refine our approach

Access + Equity in Opportunity

Commitment: We aim to eliminate obstacles in member’s full participation

Actions Taken
– Offer travel reimbursements, logistical support, and digital skills training
– Conduct periodic equity audits of programs, applications, and resource distributions
Accountability
Release an annual impact report with equity metrics and our plans to close any gaps

Education + Growth

Commitment: We prioritize continuous personal, artistic, and professional development for all members

Actions Taken
– Provide training for Linkage staff and mentors on available resources
– Actively seek connections in areas identified by community members
Accountability
Track and evaluate referral outcomes, making adjustments quarterly

Transparent Partnerships + Ethical Practice

Commitment: We uphold integrity and transparency in all our partnerships

Actions Taken
– Vet partnerships based on values alignment and past community feedback
– Clearly outline roles, shared power, and mutual benefits in partnership agreements
Accountability
Publish an annual review of partnerships, including community feedback on alignment and impact