New England Innocence Project celebrates its 20th anniversary with Stellar.

"I'm here to tell you how important storytelling is," remarked Massachusetts Senator Pat Jehlen while accepting the Arc of Justice award at the 20th-anniversary celebration of the New England Innocence Project (NEIP). In partnership with The Exoneree Network, NEIP fights tirelessly to correct and prevent wrongful convictions.

Hearing two such stories led Senator Jehlen to advocate for criminal justice reform. Stories also led to Stellar's partnership with NEIP. Since 2023, our instructors have helped exonerees and their loved ones craft and deliver personal stories. As storyteller Shar'Day Taylor reminded guests, wrongful convictions impact entire families

"I don't just tell my story for the sake of telling my story," Taylor began. "I tell it to amplify the voices of the exonerees and the support people."

Taylor is the younger sister of Sean Ellis, the director of The Exoneree Network, who spent nearly 22 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Today, Taylor is a social service advocate at the same organization. Netflix featured their family's story in the documentary Trial 4.

Unfortunately, as Senator Jehlen emphasized, their story is not uncommon. Storyteller Ray Rebello left prison in January 2024 after 33 years, while James Lucien spent 27 years inside. Both men spoke about unforgettable days during their wrongful incarcerations.

"I told my coach that I don't consider myself a natural speaker, but I think it's important for people like me to tell our stories because we can potentially change someone's life," said Rebello.

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