From an early age, Qiana was determined to succeed. She earned her first paycheck at 14 as a cashier at Roy Rogers, a job that taught her the value of earning her own money. By 19, Qiana became a mother, dedicated to providing the best for her child. After high school, she secured a position with the federal government, envisioning a secure future with a pension.

However, Qiana’s path took a dramatic turn when she was incarcerated in 2015, describing the experience as isolating and surreal, like “an out-of-body experience.” During her sentencing on June 15, 2015, Qiana addressed the court, expressing gratitude towards the state’s attorney for igniting her passion for reform in the criminal legal system. Released in August 2017, Qiana immediately set to work founding Life After Release, channeling her experiences into advocacy and change.

Qiana’s involvement with Progressive Maryland and the Mass Liberation Project exposed her to a campaign for electing a progressive prosecutor. She recognized a fundamental issue: the general lack of understanding about what prosecutors do and how they operate in court.

She advocated for the necessity of understanding these roles before campaigning for progressive candidates, stating, “We can’t discuss electing a progressive prosecutor without knowing their actual courtroom actions.”

To address this, Qiana initiated a three-month court watch program, witnessing firsthand the unchecked power of the criminal legal system, similar to her own experiences. She noted, “In Maryland, PG County courts are notorious for misconduct—a fact I know too well from my own case, where I felt powerless to challenge or report the injustices I faced.”

Now, Qiana is a staunch advocate for independent court monitors and what CourtWatch PG calls ‘instant accountability’ (IA). She highlights the lack of oversight for judges and the self-certification processes for prosecutor bonuses, emphasizing, “Our presence in courtrooms significantly impacts mass incarceration. Injustice is most prevalent in empty courtrooms.”

Qiana’s activism is deeply rooted in the philosophy of abolition, advocating for radical systemic change. She explains, “Real change requires radical action—it’s about recognizing that jails and prisons are ineffective and that crime is often a social construct designed by those in power to oppress the powerless.” Qiana aims for the CourtWatch PG newsletter to challenge those who believe in the adage, “You do the crime, you do the time,” helping them see crime as a social construct. She questions the justice of a system that allows individuals like Kyle Rittenhouse to remain at home after serious charges while Black mothers see their children detained indefinitely for minor offenses. Since its launch in February, CourtWatch PG has made a noticeable impact. Judges are more frequently consulting the law during proceedings. Qiana is encouraged by this proof that a unified effort can drive sustainable and significant reform.

When I initiated Court Watch PG, I could not have envisioned that it would evolve into a paragon of what court watch organizations should strive to achieve. This success would not have been attainable without the unwavering dedication of my team, including the Director of Court Watch & Judicial Accountability, Dr. Carmen Johnson, along with our remarkable volunteers—from 12th graders and law students to professionals and retirees. I am profoundly thankful to everyone who has played a role in advancing my vision of a just and equitable legal system. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you for enhancing and realizing this dream.