BIO
Michael Cox
While serving a six year sentence, Michael Cox experienced hardship and abuse. Based on these experiences he dedicated himself to advocate for prison abolition, LGBTQ+ people, and poor folks. His portfolio of work includes policy, mutual aid, community building and fundraising.
He has worked for prestigious grassroots organizations like the Massachusetts Bail Fund, Prisoners’ Legal Services (intern), National Black and Pink, and he helped found Black and Pink Massachusetts where he currently serves as Executive Director.
Michael was appointed by former Attorney General for Massachusetts, Maura Healey, to serve on the Special Commission to Study the Health and Safety of LGTBQI Prisoners. The Commission is tasked with investigating the correctional system and their work is ongoing. At the federal level, he coordinated the National LGBT / HIV Criminal Justice Working Group and and co-chaired the Working Groups’ formerly incarcerated subgroup.
Formerly, he served as the board president for Housing 4 Justice, an organization that fights to house people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. He co-chaired the policy committee for the Bay State Stonewall Democrats. Other board experience include National Black and Pink, MassEquality, and the Institutional Review Board of Fenway Community Health.
Michael is a proud graduate of JustLeadership USA’s Leading with Conviction program. Upon graduating he was invited to facilitate LGBTQ related trainings.
In 2018, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in political science at Clark University. He holds a BA in business management and certificate in paralegal studies. Michael was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. In his free time… just kidding. There isn’t any!