When NBC called CAN-DO seeking names of people who would benefit from the First Step Act, CAN-DO President Amy Ralston Povah had just the right person – Robert Shipp.  NBC wanted to film family members of incarcerated people who would come home soon, if not immediately due to the passing of the First Step Act, signed into law by President Trump on December 21st.

Amy met Robert’s sister, Veda Ajamu, in 2014 while attending an event in Washington DC.  She was moved by Veda’s passion to raise awareness for her brother who was serving a life sentence.  Later, his sentence was reduced to 30 years due to Amendment 782.  Unfortunately he has already served most his draconian sentence.  With or without First Step he will come home in 2019, but knowing that he could be eligible for an immediate release was a hard-won victory to Veda’s long journey as his advocate.  Please watch the interview on NBC