Minnesota Wrongfully Convicted Judicial Reform

On May 16, 2004, Marvina's brother, Marvin, was taken from their home by the Minneapolis Police Department on a curfew violation charge when he was just 16. The family wasn't able to get any other information until the police showed up at their house three days later with a search warrant, dogs, and the media. That is when Marvina's parents first learned the police were charging Marvin with first-degree murder. Everything changed for her family after that day. Marvin has proclaimed his innocence since the day he was taken into custody.

Ultimately, the thing that led Marvina to justice work is her family’s need for an advocate for her brother and to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit. Shortly after Marvin's life was viciously snatched away, the hardship of losing him caused Marvina's family to unravel, and their lives spiraled out of control. They wanted to fight for Marvin, but they were confused and taken advantage of by unethical lawyers and their fees. Marvina's parents lost everything.

Since 2010, Marvina has been actively engaged in fighting to correct the justice system and helping where she is needed in the community, focusing on youth and families of wrongfully incarcerated individuals, in particular. Her vision is to help exonerate people who’ve been wrongfully incarcerated, while offering support to family and community members that have been impacted by the judicial system. Her long-term goals are to bring awareness to judicial injustice, reform legislation and prevent wrongful and over-sentenced incarceration.