Precious Freeman is Passionate About Making The World Better for the Next Generation

Precious Freeman is the Vice President of National Engagement at Measures for Justice, a nonprofit organization leading the movement to reimagine the criminal justice system by developing data tools that help communities reform the system.

“I am obsessed with making things better for the next generation,” Precious shares.

Precious was always drawn to community engagement and advocacy work. Growing up, her family worked in ministry and Precious began helping out with programming at a young age. She also spent her summers with her grandmother, a social worker who focused on the welfare of children and families.

“I got the chance to see so many walks of life and see people go through hardships,” she explains. “It helped me recognize the gaps where systems fail us.”

She spent years working as the executive director of a Black History Museum that focused on scientists, explorers and inventors.

“Dr. George Washington Carver was the cornerstone of almost everything that we did. I learned a lot from him in my career. And one of the things that really stuck with me was leaving things better than you found them,” she says.

Two years ago she joined Measures for Justice knowing that reimagining the criminal justice system would help improve the lives of future generations. She is passionate about the organization because Amy Bach, the CEO of Measures for Justice, is a dedicated leader who ignited the movement for data transparency in the criminal justice system with her book, Ordinary Injustice.

“She saw a problem and inspired so many people to move toward the change that we needed to see,” she shares. 

Stay Focused on Your Dream

Precious knows how important it is to stay dedicated to your dreams even when it is hard. She paused her college coursework to give birth to her first child but used author Robert Kiyosaki’s advice to “F.O.C.U.S.” or “follow one course until successful” while being a partner to her spouse, raising her four daughters and finishing her degree. 

“You don’t need to have it all figured out — the course doesn’t have to be specific,” she says. “That cause, passion or burden that’s on your heart – follow that call, which is your purpose,  and don’t stop.” 

Precious also notes facing challenges like imposter syndrome and finding belonging in the room you’re in can feel lonely. She mentions having friends who say they’ve experienced the same feelings as the only woman seated at a table of all men but says “now imagine if, on top of that, no one understands your culture or colloquialisms.”

“You go into those spaces with your armor on. I am proud to be a strong black woman, but I don’t think I should have to exert that strength in places where I should be free to collaborate and be innovative.”

Raising the Next Generation

Her obsession with making things better for the next generation is already paying off in her own home. Watching her oldest daughter balancing her college coursework and a job while prioritizing self-care, including braiding her hair, checking in with her therapist, and taking care of her physical and spiritual health has been such a proud time for Precious. She knows her three younger daughters will see their older sister and will be influenced to do the same.

“There’s a movement focused on self-care that is emerging for black women around the world. We’ve been strong because we had to be. Many of us are now ready to enter our soft-girl era. Having a 19-year-old and that’s going to be the norm for her is something I’m super proud of,” she shares.

Precious has dedicated her life to making the world a better place for future generations. Although she doesn’t know where her quest will lead next, she knows she is currently fulfilling her dream through her work at Measures for Justice.

“In our world of reshaping the criminal justice system, especially in data transparency, we’re leading the movement and I’m proud to be a part of that,” she says. “I’ve been able to build an Engagement team that’s filled with some incredible people who’ve dedicated their lives to elevating the voices of the community. I’m excited to see where else it goes.”