The Clean Slate Initiative
Supporting #CleanSlate partners to advance bi-partisan automatic record sealing policies.
What happens when a mistake from years ago keeps standing between someone and a job, a home, or even volunteering at their child’s school?
In this episode of The Government Fix, our CEO Sheena Meade discusses how automated record sealing can help expand access to opportunity. Together, they explore how technology and policy can create second chances at scale, why this work has united lawmakers across the political spectrum, and what it means to build a government that helps people move forward instead of holding them back.
Listen to the full episode here: https://hubs.ly/Q04y2M3D0
09/21/2026
MYTH: Only people with felony convictions experience lasting negative consequences.
REALITY: Even arrest and non-conviction records, where no guilt was ever established, are associated with long-term economic losses.
Our latest research found that people with arrest and non-conviction records experienced lower employment, fewer weeks worked, and an estimated $4,400 less in expected annual earnings compared with their statistically similar peers. Over 14 prime working years, the estimated earnings penalty adds up to approximately $72,000.
By helping fill an important gap in what we know about arrest and non-conviction records, this research provides further evidence of the need for Clean Slate policies that expand access to record sealing and reduce barriers to economic opportunity.
Read The Economic Losses from Arrest and Conviction Records to explore the full findings: thecollectivecost.org
09/17/2026
Every person who shows up for Clean Slate is vital to driving these policies forward. And over the years, we’ve had some community members whose dedication have gone above and beyond.
Two nights ago, at the Lived Experience Leadership Summit reception, we got an opportunity to recognize a few of those people.
Destiny Garcia, Clean Slate Utah, received the Clean Slate Champion Award, for her dedication and leadership that has fueled Clean Slate’s success in Utah, where more than 273,000 people are on a path to full or partial record sealing through the state’s law.
Tammy King-Eagles, Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, received the Clean Slate Champion Award for her leadership in Connecticut that has supported the path to success — today, more than 150,000 people have a Clean Slate in the state.
Daryl Atkinson, CSI Board Member, received the Clean Slate Legacy Award, whose leadership as the Founding Board Chair of The Clean Slate Initiative has supported our organization’s growth and success since 2019.
David Safavian, CSI Board Member, received the Clean Slate Legacy Award, whose leadership on the Board of The Clean Slate Initiative has supported our organization’s growth and success since 2019.
Thank you to our Clean Slate champions, our Clean Slate legacy honorees, and everyone who’s here at LELS with us.
09/16/2026
09/16/2026
Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, at Safe & Just Michigan's 2026 Signature Event Safe & Just Michigan invited friends and supporters to join us for ...
That’s a wrap on the 2026 Lived Experience Leadership Summit!
Directly impacted leaders from across the country gathered in Atlanta to connect, learn from one another, and shape what comes next.
We’re leaving rooted in shared experience and rising with a renewed commitment to expand access to second chances. Thank you to every leader who brought their insight, vision, and leadership to this year’s summit.
And a big thank you to our summit sponsors for making this gathering possible:
JFF
Delta Air Lines
Dr. George James
09/15/2026
Lived Experience Leadership Summit kicked off last night with a special celebration of the Directly Impacted people who drive Clean Slate across the country, featuring a keynote speech from Dr. George James, remarks from our CEO, Sheena Meade, and a moment to honor members of the Clean Slate community who have shown up in a big way over the years.
Last night, we were just getting started, and today, the Summit is in full swing!
Check out our stories and stay tuned for more content to see what’s happening at the Lived Experience Leadership Summit.
Huge thank you to our sponsors for making this gathering possible:
Jobs for the Future
Delta Air Lines
Dr. George James
09/14/2026
The economic consequences associated with an arrest or conviction record can continue for decades.
Our latest research finds significant differences in expected annual earnings between people with records and their statistically similar peers without reported legal system involvement. Depending on record type, estimated earnings penalties range from $4,400 to $9,800 every year.
Over 14 prime working years, those differences can add up to an estimated $72,000 to $160,000 — affecting someone’s ability to build savings and assets, invest in education, support a family, and prepare for retirement.
The findings in our report underscore the need to reduce unnecessary record-related barriers through policies like Clean Slate’s automated record sealing.
Read The Economic Losses from Arrest and Conviction Records to explore the full findings at thecollectivecost.org.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Contact the organization
Address
Dallas, TX