Last Prisoner Project’s “Journey to Justice” Gala Celebrates Freedom, Family, and the Fight to End Cannabis Incarceration
Featuring Carmelo Anthony, Omari Hardwick, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and other cultural icons, the NYC event united artists, advocates, and changemakers to advance cannabis justice.
NEW YORK, NY – October 16, 2025 – Last Prisoner Project (LPP) marked a major moment in the movement to end the War on Cannabis with its second annual Journey to Justice Gala, held on Wednesday, October 15 at Sony Hall in New York City. The evening brought together artists, advocates, and supporters to honor the resilience of those impacted by cannabis incarceration and to highlight the continued urgency of reform.
The event featured appearances by Hall of Famer & Co-Founder of Grand National
Carmelo Anthony, Pro Football Hall of Famer
Calvin Johnson Jr.,
Omari Hardwick, Fab 5 Freddy,
Keith Shocklee and
Studdah Man of Public Enemy, and comedian
Guy Torry, who served as the evening’s MC. Guests were treated to a musical performance by
Joy Oladokun
with special guest
Bartees Strange
and a DJ set by Shocklee, creating a dynamic backdrop for the night’s program.
LPP honored several constituents who have returned home and are now leading efforts for change in their communities. Among those recognized were
Mario Ramos, who served 5 years for a cannabis offense before opening his own dispensary, Conbud, in New York City, and
Deshaun Durham, who received clemency from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly at the end of last year. Both were celebrated for their advocacy and leadership post-release.
The event also celebrated the work of LPP’s
Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI), which has saved constituents more than 350 years of unjust sentences, including eight life sentences.
Additional honorees include
Leonel Villaseñor and Jose Sepulveda, two federal clemency recipients who returned home earlier this year. Leonel served 22 years of a 30-year sentence, and Jose served 30 years of a life sentence before Last Prisoner Project’s intervention.
At the event, Last Prisoner Project also announced that
Stephanie Shepard has been named its new Acting Executive Director, marking a new chapter for the organization’s leadership. Shepard, who previously served as the group’s Board Chairwoman and Director of Advocacy, has been a driving force behind its mission to free those still incarcerated for cannabis offenses and support their successful reentry.
“This night reminded me why we fight,” said
Stephanie Shepard, LPP’s new Acting Executive Director. “After serving a ten-year prison sentence for a cannabis offense, I’ve seen firsthand the pain families endure and the opportunities lost. To stand in a room filled with people who believe in freedom and redemption was incredibly powerful. It reminded us how far we’ve come, and how much work remains to bring every last prisoner home.”
The gala underscored the scale and impact of LPP’s work. Since its founding, the organization has helped constituents secure freedom from more than 300 years of combined incarceration.
“Standing with Last Prisoner Project tonight was both a celebration of those who have come home and a reminder that thousands of people remain incarcerated for a plant that is now legal across much of the United States," said
Calvin Johnson Jr. “I’m proud to support Last Prisoner Project’s fight to reunite those families and ensure no one is left behind.”
“So many people are still serving time for cannabis while others are building businesses from it,” said
JoJo Simmons. “That reality should never sit right with us. The Journey to Justice Gala brought together people who believe in using our platforms to free those still behind bars and to build a future rooted in fairness and freedom. I look forward to continuing to work with Last Prisoner Project to help bring more people home and keep this movement growing.”
All proceeds from the gala will directly support LPP’s legal, policy, and reentry services, ensuring the continuation of these critical programs.
LPP expressed gratitude to the sponsors who made the evening possible, including
Goodwin, DeLisioso, Gotham, Grand National, General Hydroponics, Vladick, Raskin and Clark, Edie Parker, Blazy Susan, Free My Weedman, Happy Eddie, Primitiv, GTI, iAnthus, ConBud, and Ethos Cannabis.
