MPR NEWS PARTNERS WITH TECH DUMP ON NEXT IN FOCUS EVENT: LOCKED OUT – THE PATH FROM INCARCERATION TO INCLUSION

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 16, 2021 – MPR News will partner with Tech Dump for this month's In Focus event, Locked Out: The Path from Incarceration to Inclusion, Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 12 p.m. Central Time. The conversation – hosted by MPR News' Angela Davis – will look at challenges faced by Minnesota's formerly incarcerated residents upon re-entry into the community and how we can become a more welcoming state.

Minnesota's recidivism rate has improved over the years, with fewer people being sent back to prison within three years of being released. But what happens when they try to secure a job or find housing? Is there more we can do to ensure that people who have experienced incarceration are able to build a life upon release and be welcomed into their communities?

MPR News host Angela Davis will lead a conversation about these issues with a panel of community experts including:

• Richard McLemore, Executive Director, McLemore Holdings

• Nadine Graves, public defender

• Brother Shane M. Price, co-founder and lead trainer, The Power of People Leadership Institute

• Josh Wilson, employee, Public Works, City of Minneapolis, and 2012 graduate, Tech Dump Jobs Training program

Tech Dump is an IT asset recycling and disposition firm that provides paid job opportunities and training for people facing barriers to employment. Tech Dump CEO Amanda LaGrange said conversations like the upcoming In Focus event with MPR News raise the awareness of the barriers facing people in re-entry.

"The inspiration for this panel and conversation came from observations over the years with our trainees, most of whom have recently been incarcerated. We know that even though they've served their time and are ready and willing to be active members of the community, there are significant and systemic obstacles that prevent them from stable and affordable housing, steady work, and access to healthcare. We know that as Minnesotans, we can do better." LaGrange adds, "We're grateful to MPR for collaborating with us on this event, and we hope it sparks viewers to learn more and do more to create more equitable pathways to success as we welcome our neighbors back into our community."

This discussion will include an audience Q&A and will be broadcast on MPR News at a later date. The event will also be available for viewing via Facebook Live on MPR News' Facebook page.

What: In Focus: Locked Out – The Path from Incarceration to Inclusion

When: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 12 p.m. Central Time

Where: Digital gathering via Zoom; more information available at mprevents.org

How: This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. You may register here. Upon registering, you will be asked to sign up for a Zoom account at no cost.

Who: Angela Davis will host a conversation on race, identity, social justice and reform in Minnesota. Full panelist bios can be found here.

About In Focus

In Focus is a series of convenings MPR is committed to leading over the next year to bring awareness, dialogue, and potential solutions to Minnesota's persistent racial disparities – in education, health, economic opportunities and many other areas. Through conversations with community leaders that are shaped by our curious, engaged audience, MPR hopes to encourage new connections and relationships that will help Minnesota communities make progress toward equity and inclusion.

About Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states for more than 50 years. Reaching more than 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services-MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current®-produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Programs produced by MPR's national programming division, American Public Media®, 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, and produces award-winning podcasts spanning the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment.

For more information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

About Tech Dump

Tech Dump is an electronics recycler and social enterprise located at 860 Vandalia Street in St. Paul's Creative Enterprise Zone. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Tech Dump provides jobs and training for adults facing barriers to employment, such as prior incarceration, addiction, or homelessness. The program strives to create equitable futures and pathways to improving quality of life for individuals, families, and local communities. Tech Dump offers commercial and residential electronics recycling and refurbishment services to reduce electronic waste, mitigate harm to the environment caused by mining of rare earth metals. Tech Dump has processed over 35 million pounds of electronics since 2010 and has the highest security certifications and capacity for handling large corporate accounts. Tech Dump's retail arm, Tech Discounts is a resource for the Twin Cities and beyond, providing access to reliable refurbished electronics. In the coming months, Tech Dump will also be convening two other panels in the "Locked Out: Moving From Incarceration to Inclusion" series in order to further explore the topic of re-entry.

More information at http://www.techdump.org.