Beyond the Record: Justice, Grace & Starting Over with Sheena Meade

Jun 2

This week on Working Girl, Rachel sits down with Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, for a powerful conversation about second chances, systemic barriers, and what it really means to move forward after a criminal record.

In this episode, we cover:

What automated record sealing actually means
Why criminal records continue to impact people long after sentencing
How bipartisan advocacy can create real change
The hidden barriers to housing, jobs, education, and healthcare
The emotional toll of carrying stigma
How the justice system disproportionately impacts women and Black communities
Why lived experience matters in advocacy work
Burnout, self-care, and protecting your sense of self while helping others
The importance of grace, dignity, and second chances

About Sheena Meade

Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, is leading a groundbreaking bipartisan effort to automate the sealing of eligible arrest and conviction records across the country. Under her leadership, CSI has helped pass legislation in 13 states and Washington, D.C., opening the door for more than 18 million people to move forward with their lives. A nationally recognized leader, Sheena has taken the stage at TED, SXSW, and the Milken Institute, and her work has been featured everywhere from Forbes to CNN. Before CSI, she played a pivotal role in restoring voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians through Amendment 4. She’s collaborated with cultural icons, policymakers, and advocates alike, all while staying grounded in her role as a wife, mother of five, and community leader. Despite an extraordinary list of accomplishments, if you ask her what drives her, she’ll tell you simply: “I’m just Sheena.”