Dominic Lawson & Keedran Franklin on Restoration, Redemption & the Power of Civic Engagement

In this episode of The Ena Esco Show, Ena Esco gets #VerballyEffective with filmmaker Dominic Lawson and community activist Keedran Franklin about Restored Voice—a powerful documentary that began with a voter restoration drive in Memphis but became a much larger conversation about what happens after punishment.The conversation explores the realities formerly incarcerated people face when trying to reenter society, the barriers that can make restoration feel out of reach, and the grassroots organizers working to reconnect people with their communities and their civic power.Dominic Lawson discusses his evolution from nonfiction audio into filmmaking and the decision to tell this story in real time, allowing Memphisvand the people navigating this process to become central characters in the film.Keedran Franklin brings the perspective of someone deeply involved in community organizing and civic engagement, offering insight into the importance of helping people understand that they still belong, their participation still matters, and their voices still have power.This is a conversation about voting but it is also about redemption, dignity, second chances, reentry, representation, and belonging.Because sometimes restoring someone's voice is about far more than giving them the right to cast a ballot.