Kemba Smith Pradia

Kemba Smith Pradia is a nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform whose powerful story of resilience and redemption brought national attention to mass incarceration and injustice in the 1990s. After a highly publicized legal battle and a presidential commutation from President Bill Clinton, Kemba became a voice for those impacted by the legal system. She is the author of the memoir Poster Child and an award-winning executive producer of the film KEMBA.

 

Kemba has collaborated with Members of Congress and the United Nations, courageously speaking truth to power through her testimony. She has led trainings for federal and state probation organizations and worked with groups such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, The Sentencing Project, the NAACP and the ACLU to influence policy. Her work has included national campaigns focused on fair sentencing, clemency, voting rights, reentry, building trust with law enforcement, and women and mass incarceration.

 

Kemba’s story has also served as an educational tool for youth and women, encouraging healthier choices in relationships and a better understanding of long-term consequences. It has also motivated individuals across academic and professional disciplines to become advocates for social justice. As a public speaker, she has delivered keynote presentations at hundreds of colleges and national professional conferences across the country. Kemba is currently an HBCU Fellow with Virginia Humanities and was an Equity in Action Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania in 2024-25.

 

She has served on Drug Policy Alliance’s Board of Directors for over 5 years and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP. She has also served on the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and the Virginia Parole Board, appointed by Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, respectively. She has advised officials from state houses to the White House. In January 2025, in recognition of her years of advocacy, President Biden granted Kemba a full presidential pardon.

 

Ultimately, Kemba believes there is a lesson in every life experience. She has embraced her experience, learned from it, and now uses it to teach others.