Whitley Carpenter
Whitley Carpenter is the Senior Criminal Justice Counsel and Policy Manager at Forward Justice. Her work regularly reflects her strong commitment to advocating for and uplifting the voices of oppressed and systemically disenfranchised communities. Whitley graduated from NC State University in 2012 with B.A.s in Psychology and Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2015. Since law school, Whitley has focused her work on developing the necessary tools and strategies to fight against racism and to liberate and empower oppressed communities, often advocating for policies that give people a second chance after involvement in the criminal legal system. She has participated in the planning and implementation of more than twelve Clean Slate Clinics and filed thousands of expungement petitions across North Carolina. She also has worked with grassroots organizations and community members to advocate for Second Chance policy changes at the state and local level. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Durham Expunction and Restoration Program, is an active member of the NC Second Chance Alliance, leads the NC Fines and Fees Coalition, and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Conference of Black Lawyers. Whitley brings a tireless commitment and a determined passion to her work on behalf of those who have often been silenced.