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Draft:Elizer E. Darris

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Elizer Darris (born March 9, 1984, in Sun Valley, California) is an American motivational speaker, consultant, and community advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A prominent voice in criminal justice reform,[1] Darris has served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Freedom Fund,[2] where he managed a multimillion-dollar nonprofit organization[3] focused on providing bail support and post-release services for individuals facing pretrial incarceration.[4] He is also a board member of the Tides Foundation,[5] the first formerly incarcerated person appointed to the Minnesota State Board of Public Defense,[6] and a nationally recognized speaker and advocate for reentry strategies, leadership, and empowerment.[7] He is currently the CVO for Darris Group LLC.[8]

Darris's journey from being sentenced to life in prison at the age of 16,[9] serving 17 years, and successfully overturning his life sentence,[10] is the cornerstone of his work today. His story of resilience, personal empowerment, and strategic decision-making has inspired countless individuals, particularly those within the criminal justice system, to seek paths of transformation and success.

Early Life and Education

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Elizer Darris was born on March 9, 1984, in Sun Valley, California. As a teenager, Darris was involved in a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of a man's life. At the age of 16, he was sentenced to life in prison in the State of Minnesota for his involvement in the crime. During his incarceration, Darris confronted the consequences of his actions and took responsibility for the pain caused to the victim's family and community.[11]

While serving his sentence, Darris embarked on a journey of personal transformation, dedicating himself to self-education. He earned his Associate's Degree and began studying law, which played a pivotal role in his successful appeal to overturn his life sentence after 17 years in prison. Darris's story exemplifies accountability, redemption, and resilience, and his experiences have profoundly shaped his later work as an advocate for criminal justice reform and reentry support.[12]

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Darris's appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court resulted in the overturning of his life sentence,[13] a significant legal victory that highlighted his self-taught expertise in the law. His journey from incarceration to freedom is central to his work as a criminal justice advocate, where he emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, resilience, and the potential for transformation within the justice system.[10]

Professional Career

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  • ACLU of Minnesota: From 2018 to 2021, Darris served as the Coordinator of the Smart Justice Campaign for the ACLU of Minnesota. In this role, he led efforts to address mass incarceration and promote criminal justice reforms across the state. His work focused on reducing racial disparities in the justice system and advocating for policy changes that prioritize community well-being.[14]
  • Minnesota Freedom Fund: From 2021 to 2023, Darris was the Executive Director of the Minnesota Freedom Fund, where he managed millions of dollars in contributions to provide bail support for pretrial detainees. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its influence in addressing systemic issues surrounding pretrial detention.[15]
  • Darris Group LLC: Since 2018, Darris has served as the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Darris Group LLC, a consultancy that provides leadership training, community impact consulting, and reentry strategy services for organizations across the U.S. Through Darris Group, he has worked with corporate clients, government agencies, and community organizations, delivering impactful programs on leadership and personal empowerment.

Speaking and Advocacy

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Darris is a nationally recognized motivational speaker who has inspired thousands with his powerful presentations on resilience, decision-making, and leadership. His work includes conducting leadership trainings for high-profile organizations such as the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.[16] Darris's signature talks, including "Strategic Resilience During Tough Times" and "The Pursuit of Relentless Excellence," have resonated with audiences across industries, driving home the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Reentry and Social Justice Initiatives

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Darris founded Unlocked Success, a reentry coaching program aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into society. The program is built around three core pillars: leadership development, ownership of one's decisions, and building sustainable relationships. Unlocked Success works closely with individuals and community partners to equip people with the tools and mindset necessary for long-term success post-incarceration. The initiative also includes training programs for probation officers and correctional staff to support more effective reentry strategies.

Awards and Recognitions

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Elizer Darris has received numerous awards and fellowships in recognition of his contributions to social justice, leadership, and criminal justice reform:

  • 2017 African American Leadership Forum Fellow: As a fellow, Darris was recognized for his leadership in advancing African American communities and addressing systemic inequalities.[17]
  • 2020 40 Under 40, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Honored for his outstanding work in nonprofit leadership and community development.[7]
  • 2022 Echoing Green Fellowship: Darris received the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship for his work in criminal justice reform and leadership training.[18]
  • 2023 Urban League Truth and Justice Award: Darris was honored by the Twin Cities Urban League for his contributions to justice reform and community advocacy.[19]
  • 2024 Harvard Young American Leaders Program (YALP) Fellowship: Selected for the 2024 cohort, Darris was recognized for his leadership in promoting economic mobility and community development.[20]

Personal Life

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Elizer Darris is married to Shadoe Darris, and together they have a daughter named Nia. His personal experiences as a formerly incarcerated individual drive his mission to inspire others to overcome adversity and reach their highest potential. Darris continues to live and work in Minneapolis, where he remains actively engaged in social justice advocacy and community empowerment.

  1. ^ "Disrupting the Business of Bail". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  2. ^ "How has the Minnesota Freedom Fund's mission changed since an uptick in donations?". WEKU. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  3. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Minnesota Freedom Fund Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-09-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Abou-Ghazala, Rob Kuznia,Yahya (2023-03-21). "Bailed out, arrested again: These charities boomed after the murder of George Floyd. They're under fire for bailing out violent offenders". CNN. Retrieved 2024-09-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Leadership". Tides. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  6. ^ "NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT". Secretary of State of Minnesota. {{cite web}}: External link in |author-link= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2022/03/07/2022-40-under-40-elizer-darris-mn-freedom-fund.html. Retrieved 2024-09-30. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Darris, Elizer. "Darris Group".
  9. ^ "North Neighbors: A second chance after being sentenced to life". North News. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  10. ^ a b "Articles". Default. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  11. ^ "Elizir Daris – One Bold Future". Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  12. ^ "Initiative allows inmates to work toward law degree while behind bars". PBS News. 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  13. ^ "Darris v. State, No. A07-0492 | Casetext Search + Citator". casetext.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  14. ^ "Working Group - Working Group Members". dps.mn.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  15. ^ "Two Years of Bold, Brave Leadership". www.mffaction.org. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  16. ^ "Maya Moore Irons Packs the Vote with Timberwolves and Lynx". lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  17. ^ "AALF Statement on Continued Threat to Public Safety". African American Leadership Forum. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  18. ^ "Elizer Darris". Echoing Green Fellows Directory. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  19. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  20. ^ "Harvard's Young American Leaders Program" (PDF).
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