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
Our Vision
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
STAFF
Sarah Unrath
Executive Director
Frannie Shepherd-Bates
Director of Development
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Shelly Lyons Mac
Kimiko Uyeda
Marjani Abdur-Rahman
Brandon Fletcher
Program Associate | Vera Institute of Justice
Adam Grant
Executive Director |
A Brighter Way
Anna Kohn
Reentry and Parole Team Lead | Michigan State Appellate Defender Office
Mario Bueno
CIRCLE OF ADVISORS
COMMITTEE LEADS
Thank you to Transition Steering committee members. Linkage is profoundly
grateful to these members have guided the transition.
PARTNERS
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
Centering Lived Experience
Commitment: We put people who are system-impacted in leadership
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
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
Get Involved