About Unite The People Inc.
Co-founders Mitch McDowell (left) and Ceasar McDowell (right)
Unite the People inc. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Unite the People is a California-based nonprofit organization formed in 2014 by a small group of concerned citizens, defense attorneys, and families and friends of incarcerated loved ones to fight for social justice and deal with our national problems of mass incarceration and the need for prison and sentencing reform.
Our organization's mission is to become a pillar of hope in the lives of the many people affected by incarceration, whether it be individuals who are incarcerated or their families. We aim to bring beneficial change for those disproportionately affected by a system that neglects to see all people are capable of rehabilitation. Through campaign and service, we hope to aid as many individuals who have chosen to use their sentence time to better themselves and who wish to prove they can be contributing members to society. We want to assist those who do not deserve or wish to be swallowed by the penal institutions and labeled as a lost cause. We believe the goal of penitentiaries should be rehabilitation, not punishment, and we work to see needed changes are made.
Since then, we’ve supported dozens of criminal justice reform bills in California, including AB 32 which will end the use of private prisons in California, and AB 2138 which allows formerly incarcerated people to get business licenses so they can start their own companies and become entrepreneurs after they have been rehabilitated and released. We also authored the People’s Fair Sentencing and Public Safety Act which will free thousands of nonviolent offenders and save California millions annually.
Since 2018, our staff of criminal defense and civil rights attorneys have also provided low cost legal services to the public, including post-conviction and immigration services. We are currently the only nonprofit firm in the state to offer sliding-scale pricing based on our client’s income, expanding access to professional legal services to the general public. Our attorneys include former ACLU and Innocence Project staff who are excited to make a difference for low and middle income Californians in need of top quality legal representation.
Donations are tax deductible!
Our Team
CEASAR MCDOWELL - CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Ceasar McDowell is the Co-Founder & CEO of Unite The People Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to social justice advocacy and legal assistance for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. He also serves as the Vice President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach Chapter. In addition to his legal advocacy work, McDowell operates UTP Sober Living Homes & Transitional Housing, providing safe, structured housing and support services for individuals in recovery and reentry. As a proud member of the Sober Living Coalition, he is committed to helping people rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society successfully.
Born and raised in Rialto, California, McDowell grew up in a family deeply involved in the justice system, helping his father build 24/7 Bail Bonds into one of the state’s leading bail bond companies. His early exposure to the legal system shaped his lifelong commitment to justice and legal advocacy.
While incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison for 20 years, McDowell became a mentor and conviction consultant, guiding his peers through legal challenges. He earned AS and AAS degrees from Palos Verdes Community College, participated in computer coding programs, and registered screenplays with The Writers Guild of America. His story was also featured in Netflix’s documentary “Q-Ball”, which explores the San Quentin basketball squad and the lives of its incarcerated players.
Since his release, McDowell has been a driving force in legislative change and social reform. Under his leadership, Unite The People Inc. played a key role in drafting a portion of Governor Newsom’s California Budget Act of 2020, securing 12 weeks of positive programming credits for qualifying CDCR inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with Senator Nancy Skinner and Advisory Board member Marvin Deon, this initiative helped thousands of incarcerated individuals.
Beyond his legal advocacy, McDowell works closely with Pacific Gateway, a disadvantaged youth program in Long Beach, helping young people develop essential skills and access opportunities for success.
Currently, McDowell is leading Unite The People Inc.’s statewide campaign to abolish sentencing enhancements, working alongside organizations such as Athletes for Impact and The Weldon Project. As the organization expands, he is spearheading the opening of a second office in Philadelphia, further extending its reach and advocacy efforts.
Throughout his career, McDowell has collaborated with Tiffany Haddish, Senator Nancy Skinner, Tom Sizemore, Weldon Angelos, and many other advocates who share his passion for justice reform.
Today, McDowell remains deeply involved in the daily operations of Unite The People Inc., working tirelessly to address systemic injustices, empower communities, and drive meaningful legislative change.
MITCHELL MCDOWELL - CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Mitchell McDowell is the Co-Founding member of Unite the People. His vision for the organization is to advance social justice in the United States through organizing in the community service sector and promoting affordable legal services for all. Mitchell has 25 years of experience as the owner of a bail assistance organization, where he helped reunite hundreds of families and restore the presumption of innocence for the accused, and has also managed several community service organizations before founding UTP. Mitch also served in the United States military reserves. He and UTP are currently involved in moving forward a California sentencing reform initiative - The People’s Fair Sentencing & Public Safety Act - as well as helping close the justice gap by connecting Californians with affordable legal services and representation.
CRYSTAL morgan - lead ATTORNEY
While Crystal Morgan Esq was obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Magna Cum Laude, Crystal completed a delegation on International Relations in China through George Mason University and the International Scholar Laurette Program. After, she attended Concord Law School at Purdue University Global, and received her Juris Doctorate.
Prior to receiving her law degree, Crystal worked for years in various areas of law, including family law, criminal law, white-collar crimes, and appellate cases, as a national ADA advocate and expert. Here, she helped legal teams obtain accommodations for clients, and consulted with legal teams to remove a Judge from the case when the issue arose. Many times, this resulted in filing Writs of Mandamus or Prohibition, depending on the jurisdiction. She also has spoken at national conferences regarding the ADA, including a CLE for the combined county Court Judges in El Paso County, Colorado. Crystal also was an intern during her undergraduate degree for the El Paso County Combined Courts.
Crystal strives for equality and fairness in the law, for all of her clients.
Michael Hayden - Associate Attorney
Michael R. Hayden Esq. is originally from Aurora Illinois, a West suburb of Chicago, where he
was born and raised. Attending East Aurora High School, Michael became very familiar with all
walks of life, including having witnessed childhood friends falling into gang affiliation and gang
violence, in a community with the highest murder rate per capita in Illinois at the time, along
with many other issues that heavily persisted in the early 90’s. Having a supportive family,
including an uncle as a career policeman, Michael stayed on the straight and narrow path,
focusing on sports and education.
Michael then attended Aurora University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science. Michael enlisted in the U.S Army Reserve during college, with the military
occupational specialty of Military Police. Upon graduation from college, Michael was
commissioned as a U.S Army Officer, and was branched Infantry. Michael then went on to serve
his nation honorably. Upon completion of Michael’s military service, he eventually moved to
California. He initially gained invaluable business experience in the fitness industry, namely
working for Gold’s and 24-Hour Fitness as a manager.
Michael then decided to attend law school in California. He received his Juris Doctorate from
California School of Law, Santa Barbara and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Michael then
gained initial legal experience in both civil litigation and estate planning. Michael’s passion and
desire had always been criminal law, namely the type of post-sentencing services that Unite the
People Inc. provides.
Michael strongly believes that anyone could have easily ended up on the other side of the law
and deserves a second chance, and also strives for equality and fairness in law, for all of his
clients.
Travielle pope - Chief of staff
Travielle J. Pope is first and foremost a man of God who is a loving husband to his wife Hope of 11 years, and an amazing father and role model to their three son’s. Travielle is now as he would put it a bona-fide family man.
Born in Los Angeles, upon turning 19 was sentenced to Life without Parole (LWOP) which he spent 26 plus years. For the first 5 years he was a problem prisoner getting over 20 rule violations for violent or aggressive behavior. Travielle earned not only his GED, but many certificates for self-help classes such as Anger Management, Victim Awareness, Parenting, and Paws for Life dog training. On September 9th, 2000, after much soul searching and having a desire for change, the Lord came knocking at the doors of his heart and he opened up and accepted Christ as his lord and savior After accepting Christ his life changed. He gave himself to the ministry. He regularly preached in church and taught bible studies earning an A.A., B.A., and master’s degree in biblical studies and certification as a biblical counselor. In 2018 Travielle earned his freedom by rehabilitation and becoming a mentor and role model to many men along the way. His sentence was commuted by then governor, Jerry Brown, and May 18th, 2018 walked out a free man.
Travielle has been touring with 2nd Chance Prison Ministry and TBN for the past 3 years, sharing the gospel with incarcerated men and woman throughout the country. Travielle is also a co-author of released book entitled‘ Biblical Solutions for Domestic Violence’, and a journal entitled “Human”.
TODD PERRY II - MARKETING DIRECTOR
Todd L. Perry II joins Unite The People as a board member and will focus efforts on building out a presence for the non-profit in Pennsylvania where he intends to commit his time to helping serve those who are adversely affected by the justice system in Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA Todd had an early fascination with business and music. He went on to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English.
Todd is currently a music executive and entrepreneur currently serving as Vice President Of A&R and Business Development for Create Music Group (2020 Inc. Magazine #2 Fastest Growing Company in The United States). Todd began his music career in 2012 under the direction of music executive, Laney Stewart (Tricky Stewart, The-Dream) where he started as an intern for Music Gallery / UMPG Publishing Co. Todd assisted Laney in building and developing songwriters and producers who went on to pen hits for Meek Mill, Jeremih, Jesse McCartney, G-Eazy, Ty Dolla Sign and many others.
In 2018, Todd joined management company Mouvement and built out an A&R department that led to creating records for Chris Brown (Heartbreak On A Full Moon, 2x Platinum), Tinashe, Cat Dealers, Steve Aoki and The-Dream.
Todd joined Create Music Group as Vice President Of A&R in 2020 and is most noted for signing Tory Lanez and releasing, DAYSTAR, which debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums.
Todd has a passion for advocacy and providing resources for those who aren’t afforded fair opportunities. Todd intends on leveraging his network in politics and music to help make a difference in the lives of incarcerated black and latino inmates.
kATHY duAN - Criminal law department intern & executive administrative intern
Kathy Duan is a high school student attending The Webb Schools in Claremont, California, earning Cum Laude in her junior year. She is also a two-time finalist of the RISE Challenge, a program by Eric and Wendy Schmidt in partnership with Rhodes Trust that supports promising youth for a lifetime of service.
Kathy is passionate about changing the criminal justice system for the better. At school, she serves as the Chairperson of the Honor Council, leading hearings of rule violations and recommending follow-up actions. Kathy supports a more restorative and rehabilitative approach in school, just as she believes is needed for the greater criminal justice system.
Additionally, Kathy is a social justice advocate in many ways. Wishing to combat the existing power structures in debate and empower marginalized voices, she founded the nonprofit Roundtable Debate Academy which offers narrative-style debate and political engagement classes for free. In the past three years, she, along with her team, has taught more than 350 students. Moreover, Kathy is passionate about youth political power and civic engagement. She serves as the Chairperson of the Chino Hills Teen Advisory Board and produces and hosts The SLAY! Podcast (Shaking Landscape for All Youth Voting).
Kathy wishes to become a lawyer in the future, fighting for a more just criminal justice system.
TONY SMITH - UNITE THE PEOPLE Inc. AMBASSADOR
Our Mission
Unite the People educates the public on critical social justice issues with an emphasis on those involving the criminal justice system, advocates for reform, and provides affordable legal services to lower and middle income individuals who would otherwise be forced to rely on less effective strategies such as personal advocacy or the overloaded public defender's office.
