Topeka Sam

Topeka Kimberly Sam is an American advocate for criminal justice reform and a former federal prisoner. She was sentenced to over 10 years in prison in January 2013, after pleading guilty to her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Upon her early release from the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury (FCI Danbury) in 2015, Sam became involved in helping women transition back into society after incarceration. Her advocacy has garnered widespread recognition and awards. President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Sam on December 23, 2020.

Early life, crime, and sentence
Sam grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in Long Island, New York, before deciding to attend a historically black college and university (HBCU) in Baltimore, Maryland. In college, Sam became involved with a romantic partner who sold drugs, and she started facilitating connections between drug buyers and sellers, marking her initial involvement in the drug trade. Sam eventually dropped out of school but maintained a legitimate job at Amtrak and became involved in other business ventures.

On April 24, 2012, Sam was arrested for her alleged role in a multi-kilogram drug trafficking conspiracy. She was accused of involvement in facilitating the acquisition of cocaine, including a transaction involving 80 kg of the substance. Sam pleaded guilty on January 11, 2013, and was sentenced to over 10 years imprisonment (130 months) at the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury (FCI Danbury), a low-security prison. Her sentence was later reduced after she wrote a letter to the judge, filed an appeal, and participated in a drug program, leading to her early release in 2015.

Activism
After her release from federal prison in 2015, Sam became involved in helping women transition back into society after incarceration. In 2017, she founded the non-profit The Ladies of Hope Ministries. This organization's activities include providing resources related to education, housing, and groceries, including the Angel Food Delivery Program. As of December 2022, the Angel Food Delivery Program had delivered over 9,000 bags of groceries to families impacted by the criminal justice system.

In addition, Sam and another woman who was incarcerated alongside her, Vanee Sykes, established the Hope House in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx, with the aim of providing transitional housing for female parolees. Initially, the house remained vacant because the state corrections department deemed it unsuitable, prompted by neighbors’ concerns about safety. As of December 2023, the Hope House is operational in New Orleans, LA and Prince George’s County, MD with an on-site coordinator helping residents with ID obtainment, public assistance applications, job services, and educational opportunities.

Other advocacy by Sam includes her efforts to bring attention to the case of Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. Sam produced a video about Johnson that gained widespread viewership, inspiring Kim Kardashian to lobby the Trump Administration for Johnson's clemency and pardon, which were eventually granted.

Sam has also advocated for The First Step Act, which is legislation to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent offenses, improve prison conditions, and provide better support for individuals re-entering society post-incarceration. Sam was invited to speak at the White House Prison Reform Summit in 2018, where she shared insights derived from her experience in federal prison. She talked about conditions and challenges faced by incarcerated women, including challenges with obtaining sanitary pads.

Presidential pardon
On December 23, 2020, President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Sam, citing her efforts in criminal justice reform. This pardon was facilitated by businessman Daniel Loeb, who lobbied the White House on Sam's behalf. Loeb's involvement was due to a partnership between one of his companies and Sam's organization, Ladies of Hope Ministries.

Recognition
On May 5, 2022, Sam was honored with Google's inaugural Social Impact Award. The award was bestowed for her work to reduce rates of incarceration among women. The award included a $100,000 grant. She received a Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from New York Theological Seminary in May of the same year.

She has been a fellow at Columbia University and the first previously incarcerated board member of the Marshall Project. Sam has also worked as a filmmaker for 44 Blue Productions.