The Midwest Innocence Project (MIP), a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the investigation, litigation and exoneration of wrongfully convicted men and women in five states, announces that its 2020 Faces of Innocence event, headlined by Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Central Park/Exonerated Five, will be moved to an online format on Thursday, July 30. Faces of Innocence, typically an in-person fundraising gala for the last 12 years, is making the move to a remote event, as the MIP follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online event will still include much of the same programming as originally planned for the gala — just in a flexible environment. Tickets to the event are now free to the public, greatly expanding the MIP’s reach during a crucial time in the U.S. for the support of criminal justice reform. All previous sponsorships and tickets will be honored.
Faces of Innocence attendees will be able to hear from high-profile speakers, participate in a silent auction, honor the MIP’s annual award winners, donate to the cause and even enjoy an at-home cocktail hour.
“At a time when many people’s eyes are being opened around the country to the systemic problems within our justice system, it’s more important than ever that we continue to do the work in advocating for change and helping those who have been pulled into an unjust system,” said Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director of the MIP. “At the same time, we had to balance that desire to come together in person with everyone who supports the cause, with the safety of everyone involved. We’re excited that with the move to an online format, we get to not only continue with an event that creates meaningful, tangible change, but we also get to expand our reach to anyone interested in learning about the cause of justice in America.”
Dr. Yusef Salaam will still keynote the event, as originally planned. Salaam is a committed advocate and educator, focusing on the issues of false confessions, police brutality and misconduct, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system. President Barack Obama awarded him the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Salaam was also appointed to the board of the Innocence Project in 2018 and is a part of the Netflix Feature limited series called “When They See Us,” based on the true story of the “Central Park Five” directed by Ava DuVernay.
“We are honored to host Dr. Salaam and learn from him directly about the harms our system has and does inflict and what we can all be doing to change that system,” Rojo Bushnell said.
This year’s honorary chairs remain Will and Senia Shields. For over 25 years, the Shieldses have made countless contributions to the Kansas City community, including the formation of the Will to Succeed Foundation, which supports the needs of abused women and children. Senia is a trained social worker, helping families throughout the metro area, and supporting organizations that do the same.
Will, who had a 14-year Hall-of-Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs, is a 12-time pro-bowler and has been recognized as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the Walter Camp Man of the Year. He has been awarded the Outland Trophy and the Ed Block Courage Award, and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team. Will has served as a spokesperson for the United Way, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Council on Philanthropy.
In addition, the 2020 Justice for the Innocent Award will be presented to Steve Weinberg, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Journalism; Ellen Suni, professor and dean emerita at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law; and Rod Uphoff, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Law, who had the courage to ask for a better, more just reality when they formed the Midwest Innocence Project in 2001.
Weinberg’s vision of establishing a project to investigate wrongful conviction cases formed the bases for what would become MIP. Suni and Uphoff championed this vision through the establishment of clinical programs at UMKC and the University of Missouri Schools of Law, programs that continue to this day.
“Professors Weinberg’s, Suni’s and Uphoff’s dedication to assisting the wrongfully convicted regardless of the obstacles were essential to the founding of MIP and to the release of each of MIP’s clients,” said Rojo Bushnell. “Without them, MIP would not exist today. Without them, thousands of innocent people in our region would still be waiting for hope.”
Additionally, Cindy Dodge, a Kansas City defense lawyer and former Jackson County prosecutor, will be presented with the Midwest Innocence Project Freedom Award, which is presented to individuals for exemplary advocacy and work on behalf of the innocent. Dodge was an instrumental member of the legal team that freed Ricky Kidd, who was wrongfully imprisoned for a double murder in 1996 and exonerated in 2019. Dodge joined Kidd’s team in 2013 and spent the next six years fighting for his freedom pro bono.
“Cindy Dodge is a true warrior for justice, standing up and speaking out no matter the personal cost,” said Rojo Bushnell. “Her experience as a prosecutor and a minister of justice carries through in all that she does.”
Faces of Innocence is an annual fundraising event to benefit the MIP’s work with the wrongfully convicted. The online-only 2020 event will be free and open to the public on Thursday, July 30. An at-home cocktail hour will start at 6:30 pm, followed by an hourlong program from 7 to 8 p.m., including keynote remarks, award presentations, and a musical performance from former MIP client Faye Jacobs. For those interested in reserving their tickets, sponsoring the event, or supporting justice and the MIP, visit www.themip.org/2020-faces-of-innocence/.