May - T.O.N.E. U.P. Monthly
Who We Are
T.O.N.E. U.P. stands for Teaching Ourselves New Examples to Uplift People.
We are a justice-impacted-led organization rooted in a simple truth: the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.
Our work lives at the intersection of reentry, healing, advocacy, and power-building. Every day, we are walking alongside our people—supporting those coming home with real resources, real relationships, and real pathways forward—while organizing to transform the very systems that created the need in the first place.
From reentry navigation and leadership development to Clean Slate implementation, civic engagement, and policy advocacy — we are building power, not just programs.
Honoring Mothers in Our Community
Yesterday was Mother's Day, and we want to take a moment to recognize and uplift the mothers in our community.
To all the mothers—we see you. We appreciate you. We honor the love, strength, and resilience you carry every single day.
We want to especially acknowledge the mothers who have children who are currently incarcerated or who have come home after serving time. Your journey is not an easy one. You carry weight that often goes unseen—navigating systems, holding families together, and continuing to show up with love through it all.
We support you. We stand with you.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our community. Your strength does not go unnoticed, and your love continues to shape and sustain us all.
T.O.N.E. U.P. Tuesdays: Community, Strategy, and Care
T.O.N.E. U.P. Tuesdays continue to be one of the most important spaces we hold.
This is where community happens in real time.
This is where truth gets spoken.
This is where strategy begins.
Each gathering brings justice-impacted people together to:
Build relationships rooted in trust and shared experience
Exchange real-time resources and information
Name what’s happening in our lives and communities
Shape collective responses to what we’re facing
Right now, what we’re seeing is clarity. People are tired—but they’re also tapped in. Folks understand that this moment requires more than survival.
It requires alignment, awareness, and action.
In the Community: Sharing the Story, Expanding the Reach
Last week, our Executive Director had the opportunity to sit down with Sedrick Harris of SD Group Realtors on his podcast, How to Level Up Your Life and Community.
The episode aired last Friday, and we want to take a moment to thank Sed for the invitation and the platform.
Spaces like this matter.
Sed created an opportunity to speak directly to a wider audience about:
Who we are as T.O.N.E. U.P.
The reality of reentry and justice-impacted communities
The work we’re doing to build power, not just services
Too often, our stories are told about us. This was a moment where we got to speak for ourselves—and that matters.
If you’re looking for someone who understands both real estate and community, Ced is someone to tap in with. Whether you’re exploring homeownership or just trying to understand the process, he brings a level of care and professionalism that aligns with how we believe people should be treated.
Clemency Work: Building Pathways to Freedom
We are stepping deeper into clemency work.
T.O.N.E. U.P. is proud to be in partnership with Beau Ra-Ra of Ra-Ra Law, who has come on as our legal partner to support our community through the clemency process.
This work is about more than applications—it’s about:
Restoring hope for people who have been overlooked
Helping individuals tell their full story with dignity and power
Creating real pathways toward release and second chances
Our people deserve access to this process—and we are committed to making sure they don’t have to navigate it alone.
From the Block to the Ballot (B2B) 2026: A Shift in Strategy
Our 2026 B2B work is evolving.
We are moving away from high-volume, transactional outreach—and stepping into intentional, relational organizing.
This will look like:
Focused, strategic door knocking in key communities
Direct phone outreach inviting people into real conversations
Creating intentional spaces for dialogue—not just voter contact
These spaces will center:
Barriers to democracy for justice-impacted people
The realities that prevent full civic participation
The current political climate and what it means for our communities
What real representation actually looks like—and what it will take to get there
This is not just about turnout.
This is about voice, ownership, and power.
We are currently fundraising to support this work, and we invite our community to stand with us as we build this next phase.
Why This Moment Matters
Now more than ever, justice-impacted people must understand:
Our vote matters.
Our voice matters.
Our engagement matters.
Local decisions are shaping our lives every day—from housing to employment to system accountability.
We cannot afford to be disconnected from the systems that impact us.
This is the moment to step in—not step back.
Showing Up Daily: Real Support, Real Impact
Our work lives in the day-to-day.
Over the past weeks, we’ve continued to respond directly to community needs, including:
Supporting individuals facing housing insecurity
Providing assistance for clothing and basic needs
Walking alongside comrades navigating reentry challenges
This is the work that doesn’t always make headlines—but it’s the foundation of everything.
A Message from Leadership (Coming Soon)
Our Executive Director has exciting news to share with the community.
We’ll be announcing more in early June (first week)—stay tuned.
Looking Ahead
Here’s what’s coming:
New Facility
Final inspections are underway. Everything is being brought fully up to code.
We are very close to move-in day.Annual Fundraiser & Celebration
June 22nd, 2026
As we prepare, we’re asking our community to keep us uplifted.Clemency Support Expansion
Continued partnership with Ra-Ra Law to support more individuals.B2B 2026 Launch
Fundraising + rollout of our new organizing model.Ongoing Community Support
Housing, basic needs, and reentry navigation remain core to our work.
Closing
Nothing we’re building happens alone.
Every conversation. Every connection. Every person who shows up.
It all matters.
We are still here.
We are still building.
And we are just getting started.
Together, we are teaching ourselves new examples and building something that cannot be ignored.
With love and solidarity,
The T.O.N.E. U.P. Team