Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantel Pridgon.
Hi Chantel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Chantel Pridgon. I am a Northeast / East Austin native. Graduate of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I am currently employed as a Participatory Defense organizer at Grassroots Leadership. I am a mother of 3 children and a woman of deep faith. While in college I aspired to be a marriage counselor and to get my PhD. Upon graduation and unable to find a job I continued to be a substitute teacher. This sparked me to pursue a graduate degree in Advanced Literacy but due to me having a mild stroke 7 weeks after I birthed my second daughter. My mindset switched into a passion for creative expression, so I dropped out. My career in the education field spanned for close to 15 years. When I decided to change my career field, I was an ISS teacher. Which is so ironic being that I am currently an activist/advocate for criminal justice reform because I always felt that In School Suspension (ISS) was a baby jail. Due to the stress of that position and my personal life was the deciding factor in me changing careers. After finding a job in the insurance industry I was wrongfully terminated. During my time of unemployment there was civil rest happening in America due to the police brutality on black & brown bodies. This sparked my desire to be involved in the movement. My cousin Coretha introduced me to Texas Advocates for Justice (TAJ) and Lewis Conway Jr. and that was the start of this journey. I began protesting and taught to use my story to change policies like the Freedom City Resolution and the creation of the Travis County Public Defender’s Office. I was granted the opportunity to become a part-time fellow for TAJ and hired on as a full-time organizer. As the Participatory Defense Organizer, we walk alongside individuals who are currently going through the criminal justice system to ensure that they receive a positive outcome. We offer tools that they can use to humanize them in the eyes of the court, and we also support their attorney’s needs as well. We want our members to know they are not alone, and they have a community around them to support them and advocate for them. We hold meetings twice a month to go over the court proceedings for their case and accompany them at their court dates. In the 3 years in this position, I am very proud in leading my team to build relationships with the Travis Co. Managed Assigned Councils, some of the criminal court and family court judges, introducing participatory defense to the district attorney’s office and establishing other quarterly community meetings with other county entities. My most important goal in 2025 is to develop relationships with law enforcement because that is where injustice begins at the point of arrest. To be an effective participatory defense organizer it is essential that we have the courage to engage systems and passion to support people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. Life is not smooth. I always say that life is like a rollercoaster, there will be ups and downs. From bad life decisions to sickness, to raising children and toxic relationships. All of these are hurdles and valleys that I had to cross. In the advocacy and organizing world the challenges can be organizational structure changes and leadership. Obstacles in the beginning with community accepting a new way of thinking and support. This was also with attorneys as well and still can be an obstacle today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Grassroots Leadership. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
GRL is fighting to end mass incarceration and deportation in Texas. We believe no one should profit from the imprisonment of human beings. One day, we envision a safe and healthy city, state, and world where people have agency over their lives and are not interrupted by prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization.
We are known for advocating and challenging systems that harm vulnerable and disenfranchised populations. We have campaigned for the Fair Chance Hiring Act, Freedom City Resolutions, the indefinite postponement of a new Women’s Jail, the creation of the Travis Co. Public Defenders Office and most recently the implementation of Council at First Appearance in Travis County criminal courts.
What sets us apart from others is over half of our staff or directly impacted or have lived experience with justice involvement.
I am most proud of Participatory Defense because it is the direct action/service in supporting individuals who are currently going through the criminal justice system to support them and give them tools they can use to receive a positive outcome which directly correlates with our mission. Very proud to say that I am leading this charge and have developed relationships county and elected officials.
We offer 3 base building programs: Ice fuera de Austin, Mujeras Luchadores and Texas Advocates for Justice. These programs are community groups who have been directly impacted by prison and detention systems whether it be directly or by way of a loved one or friend. Individuals are informed in political education such as Know Your Rights, Power Analysis, What is a campaign and how to tell your story to policy makers to make change.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Robert Lilly – biggest cheerleader always including me and pouring into me so much that I am confident to walk into any room and contribute.
Annette Price – believing in me to hire me on full time as an organizer. Also keeping the organization afloat under her tenure.
Sulma Franco for holding it down on the immigration team despite her own personal challenges.
I (Chantel) give God all the honor and glory because without him I am nothing.
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grassrootsleadership.org/participatory-defense
- Instagram: @grassroots_leadership
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/grassrootsleadership
- Twitter: grassroots_news
Image Credits
Photo 1: Robert Lilly, Reyvon Deloach, Catina Deloach, Chantel Pridgon supporting our PD members at court.
Photo 2: Chantel Pridgon, Robert Lilly, Xavion Walton, Britney Walton supporting our PD members for a sit down at their attorney’s office.
Photo 3: Barbara Ornelas, Chantel Pridgon, Britney Walton and Robert Lilly – Criminal Justice organizers and TAJ members tabling at the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference.
