meet joy

Joy Powell is a long time community activist,

pastor, mother, beloved friend and magnetic

social-justice trailblazer based in Rochester, NY.

Joy's call to action for justice stems from the

loss of two children by murder, police

brutality, high rates of violence, injustice and

systemic oppression in Rochester, New York.

Through her organization, "Equality and Justice For All",

Joy created a safe haven for battered women, young

children, and families living in poverty in upstate NY.

Joy has led numerous rallies, vigils, community

events and organized protests from 1995 to 2006.

Joy's role as an activist has made a significant

impact by confronting law enforcement corruption.

In 2021, Joy was featured in Essence Magazine's

article titled "America is Still Locking People Up

For Their Activism, Including Black Women."

injustice upon

injustice

"Do Black Women

Political Prisoners

Matter Too?"

"We have an iraq

right here in,

rochester, ny."

- Joy Powell '21

#

HochulBring

ThemHome

While serving 3 years during a 16 year sentence for a burglary that was politically motivated,a cold case murder was pinned on Joy.

Despite a significant trial misconduct, Joy was sentenced to 25 years to life.

This unjust sentence and wrongful conviction appears to be part of a long embedded history of systemic racism and a pattern of silencing Joy's voice and activism.

Targeted For

Activism

Joy Powell was notified by law enforcement that she was a target after she began protesting against police brutality and killings of Black people in the city of Rochester.

In 2006, Joy was convicted of 1st Degree Buglary and Assault - a charge she and many community leaders firmly believe was politically motivated.

Why Convicted?

the jury was an all-white jury and the only juror of color who recognized Joy was an activist but was dismissed by the judge.

joy was not allowed to mention her activism or her pastoral role.

a key defense witness was barred from testifying about their activism and church connection.

judge francis affronti openly stated he would sentence her harshly due to personal bias and sentenced her to 16 years in prison.

Support

before incarceration..

Joy is a proud mother to five sons, the first of which she had at 16 years old. She also has raised three girls in-which two of her nieces and a community member she took in. Today, she has twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who deserve to spend time with Joy outside. Joy is an artist, a poet, and a rap musician with a passion for people. When she was outside, she released a gospel hip-hop CD with young people from her church by taking them to a recording studio and recording songs they wrote. She loves to work with at-risk youth and help them find their best selves.

while incarcerated..

Joy has earned a certificate from Blackstone Institute Law School, a Sight Guidance Certificate so she is able to escort the blind and a Mobility Aid Certificate to escort disabled folks, she has earned Parenting certificates and Domestic Violence certificates, and she is currently taking Sociology classes to earn her Associates degree.

epilouge

Joy is currently 60 years old and suffers from diabetes, impaired hearing, and depression/anxiety related to her abuse being behind bars. In the beginning of 2020, she contracted COVID-19 behind bars and is grateful to be alive. Whenever she is released from her wrongful conviction, her main goals will be to continue her ceaseless activism: “Because I’ve been here and see the atrocities that take place here, I want to collaborate with existing orgs or start my own org to help women who are incarcerated.” She also wants to open another safe haven to prevent kids from going into foster care and start a podcast! "I have a lot of hopes and dreams and I’m very optimistic about it.”

In June of 2023, Joy will have served her entire first sentence, even though she is wrongly convicted.

joy

p

o

w

e

l

l

framed

against

police

brutality.