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
Owner | 3rdCoastPros
Marjani Abdur-Rahman
Cozine Welch
Caleb Foerg
Kenneth Nixon
Vitalis Im
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Services | University of Michigan–Dearborn
Anna Kohn
Reentry Supervisor | Michigan State Appellate Defender Office
Thank you to Transition Steering Committee members. Linkage is profoundly
grateful to these members have guided the transition.
PARTNERS
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