Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Race, Gender, and Social Justice

Season 4 Episode 1

Rebecca Grace & John Gray

Welcome to Season 4 of Stepping Into Truth. I can't believe that I've been doing this podcast since 2018!

This season I have some remarkable people as guests on the show. Season 4 starts with Rebecca Grace and John Gray of Complete Picture.

Imagine that someone you love has been convicted of a non-violent felony and is awaiting sentencing. Typically the sentencing judge gets a dry document that talks about what is likely the worst thing this individual has ever done and that's all. That information is what they base their decision on. 

Based on their own experience of John's prison term for a drug felony, they decided that they needed to find a way of showing that those awaiting sentencing were far more than the worst thing they had done, and Complete Picture was born.

Rebecca, John, and their crew of formerly incarcerated people go into the homes of those awaiting sentencing and create a film that shows the scope of the individual, the complete picture. Presenting a judge with a full perspective makes all the difference as sentences have been reduced and even commuted.

This conversation brought me to tears. It can be so easy to harshly judge those who have been convicted of a crime. John and Rebecca reconnect us with the humanity of these people and, by extension, our own.

Have a listen here.

For a written transcript of this conversation go here.

Meet Rebecca and John

Rebecca Grace
When Rebecca was 14, she along with her single mother and 4 siblings informally adopted 7 orphans, growing their family to 13 and living continuously on the brink of homelessness. Rebecca attributes her nomadic childhood for teaching her to be nimble and flexible in the ring of life -qualities she brings to film directing and business administration. Rebecca now collaborates with like-minded community leaders in the pursuit of a more equitable judicial system.

John Gray
John is the art director, producer, illustrator and senior graphic designer at Complete Picture. John’s daily responsibilities include planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and allocating resources on all development and marketing projects (including all creative concepts and digital initiatives). John has over 25 years of experience in graphic design, illustration, communications, management, writing, digital marketing, producing and video editing. John also serves as a liaison between Complete Picture and new business groups and legal departments.

How You Can Help:

Action Steps:
1. Listen to peoples’ stories with curiosity rather than judgement.
2. If you are able, make a donation to completepicture.org.
3. If you have skills that would be useful to the work Rebecca and John are doing call them at 323.683.5689.

Connect with Complete Picture:
www.completepicture.org
https://www.instagram.com/completepictureproject/

Credits:
Harmonica music courtesy of a friend