Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter is a founding partner of REFORM Alliance and the co-founder and Chairman of Roc Nation, an internationally revered entertainment company. A predominant cultural figure, JAY-Z uses his platform to advance reformism in criminal justice, address racial disparities, and increase access to education, among other philanthropic endeavors.
In 2017, the arrest and subsequent reimprisonment of Meek Mill for alleged technical parole violations instantly sparked the global #FreeMeek movement, which JAY-Z joined and publicly advocated for. Fueled to take further action, JAY-Z penned a New York Times op-ed about Meek’s case and the systemic pitfalls of probation in the United States. The monumental traction gained by #FreeMeek and the outpouring of support for his release led to Meek being freed on bail with the charges against him ultimately dropped, and the creation of REFORM Alliance. Since helping to establish REFORM in 2019, JAY-Z has championed its mission to rectify probation and parole, extending his resources and mobilizing his network to elevate the organization’s impact. In 2020, amidst the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, JAY-Z and Meek donated 10 million masks and personal protective equipment to prisons across the United States through REFORM. The initiative was made possible through a $10M donation from Jack Dorsey and his relief fund, Start Small. Aiding in REFORM’s fundraising efforts each year, JAY-Z hosts the annual casino night and gala alongside Meek and fellow REFORM founding partner, Michael Rubin.
Philanthropy & Activism
REFORM Alliance’s undertakings align with those of other nonprofits that JAY-Z is involved in, such as the United Justice Coalition (UJC). Through JAY-Z’s UJC board membership, he contributes to the organization’s larger goal of bringing leaders together to advocate for and enact reformed policies in the justice system. Concurrently, he uplifts social justice causes through Team Roc, the designated division of Roc Nation for humanitarianism and social responsibility. Combining their efforts, Team Roc and REFORM have previously collaborated to host free, public job fairs in various states to connect individuals with job positions within local and state government, at nationwide companies like Starbucks and Amazon, and within public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The job fairs emphasized access to gainful employment opportunities for those affected by the criminal justice system, currently on probation, or navigating parole. REFORM has been a longtime participant in the UJC Summit, a free community event hosted by Team Roc and the UJC that focuses on fostering open dialogue about reform and strategies to raise awareness of ongoing challenges in the legal system.
Capitalizing on every channel at his disposal, JAY-Z has actualized his activism through his involvement in various film projects and by producing highly-regarded documentaries. In 2016, he collaborated with Molly Crabapple to create “The War On Drugs Is An Epic Fail,” a video that features JAY-Z narrating the complex and skewed history of the war on drugs while calling for an end to biased policing and mass incarceration. The following year, JAY-Z served as an executive producer of the “TIME: The Kalief Browder Story” docuseries, highlighting the grim realities of solitary confinement, particularly for juveniles, and the problematic New York bail system. The docuseries received a Peabody Award for its documentary work at the 77th Annual Peabody Awards ceremony. In 2018, JAY-Z executive produced the critically acclaimed, multi-episode documentary, “Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story,” which honors the life of Trayvon Martin and details the nefarious ways money, power, and politics influence the U.S. criminal justice system.
Building off his support of Meek Mill’s case, JAY-Z participated as an executive producer of the “Free Meek” documentary in 2019. He later contributed to the production of the 2023 Emmy-nominated documentary “Exposing Parchman,” which underscored the deplorable state of the Parchman Prison facilities, injustices faced by incarcerated individuals, and the urgent need for prison reform in America. Apart from social justice, JAY-Z co-founded The Shawn Carter Foundation with his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, to close the education gap and create opportunities for high school and college students of diverse backgrounds to access higher education. The Foundation, which has been in operation since 2002, offsets financial burdens hindering students from furthering their academic studies by providing scholarships that enable them to realize and achieve their professional goals, in addition to offering specialized programs and professional resources.
Career
JAY-Z’s rise to prominence was initiated by the success of his early albums, amplified thereafter by his undeterred momentum in forging a legacy in music. Exemplifying his professional tenacity, JAY-Z’s business portfolio spans multiple decades and industries, highlighting his successful entrepreneurial pursuits in apparel, luxury spirits, and at the cross-section of sports and entertainment. JAY-Z is co-owner of the upscale sports lounge and bar, The 40/40 Club, which he established in 2003 — five years before founding Roc Nation. He is a 25-time GRAMMY Award winner and was the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his influence in hip-hop, society, and philanthropy.