office@projectsoundoff.org | 1940 N Municipal Way Ste 1571, Round Lake IL 60073

office@projectsoundoff.org
1940 N Municipal Way Ste 1571, Round Lake IL 60073

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About Us

Discover the mission and story behind Project Sound Off, a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Criminal Justice Reform in Illinois. Learn about our efforts to empower individuals and communities, advocate for fairness, and protect constitutional rights.

Our Mission

Our mission is to form coalitions to empower people and organizations in the fight for fairness and reform of the criminal justice system.

Our goal is to educate the public about this system, which affects families, and people in prison and out. We will advocate and publicize their cause and a network of supporters in a campaign for change. We will support political leaders who protect our constitutional rights and lead for reform.

About Project Sound Off

We are a grassroots 501(C) (3) nonprofit organization formed to address the Criminal Justice Reform Movement in Illinois. The criminalization of our communities through mass incarceration and the Criminal Justice System have destroyed families’ lives across the state of Illinois. We believe that Public Safety can be achieved through other means and programing without relying on mass incarceration and taking away our constitutional rights.

Project Sound Off is dedicated to giving a voice to the political suppress as well as the less fortunate poor communities who have been subjected to and impacted by bad Legislation that has paved the way to a generation of incarceration for our kids. We must protect and defend the gains of the Civil Rights (Act), United States Constitution and the Illinois Constitutions in order to keep our freedom.

Who We Are

Our Board

Johnnie Khalif Veal

President

Darlene Veal

Board Member

Ted PeArson

Board Member

Ben Austen

Board Member

Quintin Bradley

Board Member

DENNIS BOOTH

Board Member

Jamal Jones

Board Member

Yohance Lacour

Board Member

Our Motivated Team

Mary Francis Charlton

JOCIE JACKSON

James Miller

Davina Jones

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Name

Khalif is a Chicago native and the founder and president of Project Sound Off, an organization dedicated to advocating for criminal justice reform and building coalitions to empower communities. He is a passionate public speaker, supporting second chance initiatives by empowering individuals and coalition partners to protect constitutional rights.

As a community activist and prison reformist for the past 27 years, Khalif has dedicated himself to fighting mass incarceration and recidivism laws that serve as a revolving door back to incarceration. He is also a recognized parole expert in this field.

Khalif is actively involved with the Chicago Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression (CAARPR) and Legal Aid Online (ILAO). He is an alumnus of Just Leadership USA (JLUSA.ORG). He holds degrees from Lewis University and MacMurray College, and is certified as a Paralegal in Illinois. Khalif continues to fight against legislation that erodes constitutional rights through his work in criminal justice reform.

Darlene Veal, a dedicated wife to Khalif Veal and mother of three adult sons, has had a remarkable career and personal journey. Before her retirement in 2021, she spent 14 years living in Southwest Kansas, where she achieved numerous elite degrees through The Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI) and the International Sports and Science Association (ISSA). These qualifications enabled her to excel as a Cancer Exercise and Fitness Specialist and a Youth Fit Camp Coach. Her expertise and passion for fitness even provided her with the unique opportunity to train with the NBA during preseason.

In addition to her fitness career, Darlene spent over 14 years in financial management, serving as a community liaison, and organizing leadership and fitness programs. Her dedication and inspirational work earned her multiple achievement awards, including recognition as the most inspirational person in Finney County, Kansas.

In the past three years, after relocating back to Illinois, Darlene embarked on a new journey. She now devotes her time to working in Northern Illinois suburbs school districts and advocating for criminal justice reform and against mass incarceration through Project Sound Off, an initiative she co-created with her husband. Her commitment to social justice is unwavering, and she aspires to be part of the solution to these pressing issues.

Despite her busy schedule, Darlene also serves as an Illinois Legal Aid Online community navigator, helping individuals navigate the legal system. Her multifaceted career and dedication to various causes make her an inspiring and impactful individual

Ted Pearson is the former co-chair of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. He has been an activist in the progressive and socialist movement for 60 years. He currently focuses on communications with people incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections on behalf of the CAARPR.

Ben Austen is a journalist from Chicago. He is the author of Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change, which was named one of the best books of 2023 by the Washington Post. His book High-Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Excellence in Nonfiction and named one of the best books of 2018 by Booklist, Mother Jones and the public libraries of Chicago and St. Louis. A former editor at Harper’s Magazine, Ben teaches in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Chicago. His feature writing has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, GQ, Wired and many other publications. He is the writer and host of the Audible Originals podcasts The Last Days of Cabrini-Green and The Parole Room, and he is the co-host of the podcast Some of My Best Friends Are….

Quintin Bradley’s journey as a returning citizen to society and native of Chicago has deeply influenced the man he is today. As a certified Peer Educator specializing in human wellness with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Quintin has dedicated himself to facilitating the Man-to-Man mentorship program, where he provided crucial support to adults in crisis for 6 years. Through this role, Quintin has empowered individuals to cope with trauma, navigate loss, and receive the emotional support they need. This experience has given him a profound understanding of empathy and sympathy, reinforcing his commitment to assisting those in need and opening his heart and mind to others.

Quintin was mentored by Rev. Queen Mother Helen Sinclair from PUSH Prison Ministries. She played a pivotal role in igniting Quintin’s passion for community activism and advocating for prison reform. Her encouragement and guidance propelled Quintin to discover his life’s purpose: making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 

Embracing his commitment to community and social causes, Quintin has remained closely involved with the CAARPR and CAYTA (Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventure), demonstrating his unwavering dedication to uplifting and supporting the Chicago community.

Quintin’s unwavering focus and dedication to Criminal Justice Reform with Project Sound Off reflects his profound sense of purpose. Through this ongoing journey, Quintin is determined to effect positive change in our communities by challenging detrimental legislation and advocating for reforms to the permanent punishment laws that perpetuate the cycle of incarceration in struggling communities. Quintin’s unyielding commitment to this cause is a testament to his resilience and determination to make a lasting impact on society.

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where my activism is deeply rooted in social and political change. Inspired by the vibrant culture and history of my hometown, I have dedicated my life to advocating for meaningful change within my community.

A pivotal figure in my journey has been Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, the esteemed founder of the Chicago African American Museum. Under Dr. Burroughs’ mentorship, I developed strong political views and leadership qualities, enabling me to mobilize people for the greater good.

I take immense pride in having contributed to the election of Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. As a community activist, I have been dedicated to giving our communities a voice
at the table for empowerment and change.

In addition to my activism, I have been a mentor to many youth, inspiring them to chart their own destinies and leave a powerful legacy for the next generation to follow.

Currently, my fight is focused on criminal justice and the mass incarceration of our children from less wealthy communities and communities of color. I am committed to addressing these systemic issues and advocating for a fairer, more just society.

Jamal Jones is known by many as Cincere Knowledge. Cincere has been wrongfully convicted and has been incarcerated for the past 26 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Cincere is a mentor, peer educator, and elder statesman, who uses his platform to bring about change. He is a major advocate for educational opportunities to be afforded to all incarcerated individuals, regardless of their sentence.

He has co-founded several organizations and programs such as United Minds, The Legacy Group (TLG), that are designed to help individuals serve a meaningful term of incarceration by way of transformative justice.

Cincere’s mentorship extends beyond the prisons, as he works with community organizations to positively impact the youth. He is currently working with the Mayor of Evanston, Daniel Biss to create programs that will keep the youth out of the criminal legal system.

Cincere is currently a student in Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program, working his way towards a bachelor’s degree in sociology. A degree that will allow for him to continue being a voice for the voiceless, hope for the hopeless, and help for the helpless.

Yohance Lacour is a journalist with the Invisible Institute’s Audio Team and Wrongful Conviction Unit. After serving a decade-long sentence in federal prison, he returned home in 2017 to resume his tradition of Black storytelling. He hosted the podcast You Didn’t See Nothin, which won the 2024 Peabody and Pulitzer Prize. At Storycatchers Theatre, he facilitates podcasting workshops for system impacted youth. He also runs YJL, the luxury sneaker label and has artwork in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Dubuque Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian’s African American Museum of History and Culture.

Mary Frances Charlton is labor and employment attorney based in Chicago. She’s passionate about promoting the dignity of people who are currently or formerly incarcerated, and reforming the criminal legal system. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her wife and their two cats, traveling, and running.

Josephine Horace-Jackson, is a wife, mother and grandmother in addition to being a mentor and surrogate mother to various individuals across the nation. She herself has been out of the carceral system since the late 80s. Over the decades, Jocie has worked in three different states (GA, IL and TX) utilizing the vast knowledge gained during the twenty-seven years that she worked in the healthcare industry with her passion to purpose, relative to the criminal legal system and social justice, to assist men women and children who have been justice impacted.

James is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, dedicated to creating success pathways for marginalized communities. With a deep understanding of the law and a commitment to guiding individuals toward personal growth, he has made a significant impact in the field.

Background and Mission: After his own experience with the justice system, James emerged as a powerful force for change. Their journey from incarceration to empowerment fueled their determination to help others navigate reentry. He. firmly believes that everyone deserves a second chance and the tools necessary to thrive.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Legal Insight: As a former insider, James intimately understands the complexities of the legal system. He provides practical guidance, demystifying legal processes and empowering individuals to make informed decisions.
  • Youth Empowerment: Recognizing that young people face unique challenges, James focuses on equipping them with essential life skills. From financial literacy to emotional resilience, they champion holistic development.
  • Resource Acquisition: Whether it’s connecting someone to housing assistance, mental health services, or educational programs, James ensures that individuals have access to vital resources.
  • Chairman: Serving on the committee of Project Sound Off, James amplifies his impact. He advocates for systemic change, shedding light on the flaws within the justice system and championing evidence-based reforms.

Life Beyond Bars: James knows firsthand the challenges of reentry. He celebrates the freedom of life outside prison walls and channels his energy into positive endeavors. By doing the right thing and pushing forward, he inspires others to do the same.

Davina J. Jones is a seasoned leader with 30 years of experience in business administration, organizational management, project management and community organizing. As the Founder and CEO of Hand Up Resource Center, Inc. and Clerical Concepts, she has developed innovative programs and training workshops focused on professional development, emergency response preparedness, and small business creation. A certified professional in Microsoft Office, Project Management, and CPR/AED-BLS instruction. Davina managed teams of up to120 and supported executive leadership while implementing data-driven strategies to enhance civic engagement. Her work includes reentry support for justice-impacted individuals, youth mentorship, and digital organizing, where she has designed impactful voter education campaigns to mobilize communities and drive meaningful change.