Justin Allen
America Votes
Albuquerque, NM USA
"I give everybody their human dignity regardless of who they are or where they come from."
Career Roadmap
Justin's work combines: Politics, Government, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I never thought I'd be involved with politics. I thought party members were out to get me. I never cared about voting rights. It took education for me to understand the importance of voting rights. Now I see voting rights as an extension of my voice. Prior to prison, I didn't have a voice. I was ashamed of who I was and afraid to speak truth because it always ended up hurting me. I had to unlearn all of that. Now I believe that the work I do with policy and voting rights is part of my purpose.
Here's the path I took:
Bachelor's Degree
American Studies
University of New Mexico
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I started using drugs when I was 13 years old, which primarily stemmed from the hatred I internalized from being gay.
2.
I spent 17 years in prison—spanning across my 20s and 30s—for nonviolent drug crimes.
3.
While in prison, I took advantage of every program I could, earned my associate degree, and started doing advocacy work.
4.
I was released from prison and tried to go to college but struggled because I wasn’t up-to-date on the technology and education required to succeed in school—I ended up relapsing and living in my car.
5.
After being fired from my job at a nursery for speaking out against racism, my husband urged me to go back to school—despite my self-doubt, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in American studies.
6.
I was recognized by members of the New Mexico House of Representatives because of volunteer work I had done and they offered me a job helping progressive candidates get elected.
7.
I joined the Millions for Prisoners New Mexico and America Votes organizations to fight against injustices and advocate for voting rights.
8.
I’m currently leading a bill to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Politics don't matter. They're are all just trying to get me—they don't actually care about me.
How I responded:
I never thought I'd be involved with politics. I thought party members were out to get me. I never cared about voting rights. It took education for me to understand the importance of voting rights. Now I see voting rights as an extension of my voice. Prior to prison, I didn't have a voice. I was ashamed of who I was and afraid to speak truth because it always ended up hurting me. I had to unlearn all of that. Now I believe that the work I do with policy and voting rights is part of my purpose.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I knew from a young age that I was gay. I hid my sexuality because I grew up around homophobic sentiments. I also had to hide my sexuality in prison and assimilate to the dominant culture so that I wouldn't be abused.
I started using drugs when I was 13 years old and was in treatment by the time I was 15. My drug use primarily stemmed from the hatred I faced from myself and others as a gay man.
I spent 17 years in prison throughout my 20s and 30s for nonviolent drug crimes.