Eric Brown
Eric is a community connector. He intentionally partners with all groups of people to bridge the gaps of love, diversity, human equity, and dignity. Even with a few degrees from American Baptist College and Vanderbilt University, Eric says his greatest education comes from the stories of those who persevered to make Nashville the great city it is. He believes one thing, “Life is a journey. Though one might be scared, allow the fear to push you forward instead of holding you back.”
Stories from the Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Nationally, 1 in 3 Black and 1 in 6 Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime. This rate of incarceration is endangering children at younger and younger ages. Do you know their stories? This is America’s pipeline to prison – a trajectory that leads to marginalized lives, imprisonment and often premature death. Although the majority of fourth graders cannot read at grade level, states spend about three times as much money per prisoner as per public school pupil. CDF’s vision with its Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is to reduce detention and incarceration by increasing preventive supports and services children need, such as access to quality early childhood development and education services and accessible, comprehensive health and mental health coverage. Emphasis must be shifted for the sake of our children and our nation’s future.