Kenneth | November 11, 2016

"Kenneth's First Vote" was an official selection of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival as part of an inaugural group of Audio Docs showcased during the 2018 festival in Missoula, Montana.

On November 8, 2016, Kenneth Williams voted for the first time. Though he completed a prison sentence for robbery 30 years ago, this 67 year-old Richmond resident lacked voting rights until Governor Terry McAulliffe restored them earlier this year. Kenneth is one of more than 206,000 Virginians who had lost the right to vote due to incarceration. Most states restore voting rights automatically after incarcerated individuals have completed their sentences; Virginia requires an application and approval by the Governor.

Kenneth owns a contracting firm, and, along with his wife, Alfreda, directs the Adult Alternative Program, a nonprofit that trains formerly incarcerated people to be licensed contractors. Kenneth and Alfreda are currently raising funds to expand their work.

Press play to stream the six-minute story here: