Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Keller
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was asked to be the Vice President of the Lancaster Bail Fund, I knew it was an opportunity to create real change in my community. The Lancaster Bail Fund operates as a revolving fund, meaning the same money can be used repeatedly to secure the release of individuals who would otherwise be trapped in pretrial detention simply because they couldn’t afford bail. Our mission is clear: to advocate for an end to the cash bail system and pretrial detention in Lancaster.
During my time with the organization, we bailed out over 80 people, giving them the chance to return to their families, jobs, and lives while awaiting trial. But I quickly realized that to serve the community more effectively, I needed to expand my role. I transitioned into a bail specialist, allowing me to work with larger bail amounts and help even more people facing unjust incarceration. This work is deeply personal to me—every person we help represents a step toward dismantling a system that disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.
My journey in bail reform has been about more than just freeing individuals from jail; it’s about fighting for systemic change, challenging the criminal legal system, and ensuring that no one’s freedom is determined by their bank account. You can check them out at www.lancasterbailfund.org.
Freedom for All, a podcast I hosted in Summer of 2021, wasn’t just a podcast—it was a movement. When I launched it, my goal was to bring attention to cases of police misconduct, brutality, and wrongful incarceration. But it became something even bigger when I met Vakelvion Holmes.
Her son, Eric Holmes, was murdered by former officer Justin Stephens in Clayton County, Georgia. A mother’s cry changes everything, especially when you discover that the officer responsible was indicted on seven charges—yet walked away with nothing. Even more disturbing, he had a history of civil rights violations and should never have been allowed to carry a badge, let alone a gun.
Through Vakelvion’s pain, we uncovered deep-rooted corruption in Clayton County, particularly within the District Attorney’s office led by Tasha Mosley. When Eric’s case came back with a no bill, it was as if the floodgates of truth opened. The Lord began exposing the layers of corruption—from Mosley turning a blind eye to police brutality to her shocking role as board chair of the Rainbow House, an organization allegedly involved in covering up child sexual abuse.
Determined to shift the narrative, we co-authored two books, “Changing the Narrative,” to counter the media’s distorted version of events and reveal the real stories behind police-involved killings. We also co-hosted a podcast under the same name, amplifying the voices of families who have been silenced by a system designed to protect the guilty.
By the grace of God, I was able to connect Vakelvion with a powerhouse personal injury attorney who is now fighting for justice in federal court. This fight is far from over, but one thing is clear: the truth cannot be buried, and justice for Eric Holmes is still within reach.
#Justice4EricHolmes
Connecting in Justice: My Journey with LA Pink and Georgia Street Groomers
My introduction to LA Pink, the First Lady of Georgia Street Groomers, in February 2022 was more than just a meeting—it was the start of a powerful alliance for justice. I’ve always admired how Georgia Street Groomers shows up and shows out for the community, truly giving a voice to the voiceless—whether they are experiencing homelessness or incarceration. They don’t just talk about advocacy; they live it.
Shortly after meeting LA, she asked me to investigate Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat due to reports of nearly a million dollars in unallocated funds being taken from the Inmate General Welfare Fund—money meant to provide for the basic needs of incarcerated individuals. Sheriff Labat was in charge of those funds, yet there was no transparency about where they had gone.
As we exposed his corruption, Labat did what corrupt officials often do—he weaponized the legal system against LA Pink. He filed a false Protection from Abuse order against her, hoping to silence her and cover up his misdeeds. But that only strengthened our resolve.
Beyond this fight, LA and I have collaborated on several lifer and long-term case reviews for inmates who have suffered extreme injustices. Individuals like Travion Reid and Kevin Upkins—men whose cases highlight the deep flaws in the criminal justice system—deserve a fair review, and we’ve worked tirelessly to shine a light on their stories.
In July 2024, we co-wrote a pro se motion to dismiss a case based on constitutional violations, and through that process, we connected with Mario Williams of HDR Law Firm in Atlanta. Together, we helped free an individual who had been illegally held in Fulton County Jail for five years without sentencing.
We remain committed to exposing corruption, misconduct, and the incompetence of government officials in Fulton County, including Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat. Their neglect, abuse of power, and failure to uphold justice must be confronted. The fight continues, and as long as we have a voice, we will use it to demand ACCOUNTABILITY. For more information, check out: www.streetgroomers.org.
I had the privilege of meeting Ashley McKenzie Smith through Ms. Vakelvion Holmes, and from the very start, we clicked. Ashley is the mother of Jaylin McKenzie, who was tragically murdered during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee, in December 2022. From the moment we connected, I knew Ashley was a powerhouse—a leader who is incredibly organized and always ready to strap up her boots and take action.
One of the most impactful ways I was able to support Ashley was by helping her obtain legal representation. Through my network, we were able to secure attorneys Kwame Thompson and Carlos Moore to fight for justice for Jaylin in federal court. This step was crucial in holding the system accountable and ensuring that Jaylin’s case would not be ignored or forgotten.
Beyond legal battles, Ashley and I have become strong collective partners in the fight for justice. Whether it’s organizing educational town halls, scripting impactful narratives, compiling data sets on police officer-involved shootings, or providing resources for affected families, we are committed to bridging the gap. Our work isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about action, accountability, and tangible change.
Ashley’s strength and dedication inspire me every day. Together, we strive to empower families, amplify voices, and push forward in the relentless pursuit of justice.
www.saytheirnamesmonuments.com
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been far from a smooth road. Advocacy and justice work come with deep emotional, financial, and even legal challenges. From the moment I co-founded the Lancaster Bail Fund, I was faced with pushback from those who benefit from the broken system. Fighting against mass incarceration and police violence means constantly challenging power structures that don’t want to be exposed.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating the legal system—not just for the people I advocate for but also for myself. I’ve taken on cases where innocent people have been wrongfully charged or incarcerated for years without trial, only to face roadblocks from corrupt officials and a system designed to suppress the truth. I’ve also experienced my own wrongful arrest, which reinforced just how flawed and biased the system truly is.
Financial stability has also been a challenge. Doing this work full-time, especially as a single mother, means constantly balancing advocacy with providing for my son. I was wrongfully terminated from a job I depended on, simply for doing the research necessary to fight injustice. Despite these hardships, I’ve remained committed to this mission because the work is too important to stop.
Emotionally, the hardest part is standing beside families who have lost their loved ones to police violence. Meeting mothers like Vakelvion Holmes and Ashley McKenzie Smith, who have turned their grief into power, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Their pain fuels my fight, but it also reminds me daily of the cost of injustice.
Even with all these struggles, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. The resistance I face only proves that the work I’m doing is necessary. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every battle, every setback, and every challenge has only strengthened my resolve to keep fighting for those who can’t fight alone.
We’ve been impressed with HDR Attorneys , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My work is rooted in advocacy, legal research, and community organizing, with a focus on fighting wrongful incarceration, police brutality, and systemic corruption. I co-founded the Lancaster Bail Fund to provide immediate relief to those trapped in the cycle of mass incarceration, and my advocacy has expanded into legal casework, public awareness campaigns, and media platforms that elevate impacted voices.
What sets my work apart is the deeply personal and hands-on approach I take. I don’t just fight for justice from a distance—I stand alongside the families and individuals affected, ensuring their stories are heard and their legal battles are fought with the urgency they deserve. My work isn’t just about reform; it’s about dismantling the systems that enable injustice in the first place.
Through Freedom for All, my podcast with Leon Block Media, and the #impactedfamilies movement, I’ve helped create spaces where families of police violence victims can share their experiences and demand accountability. I’ve collaborated with leading civil rights attorneys like Leticia Chavez Freed, constitutional rights attorney Mario Williams, and activist organizations like Georgia Street Groomers.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the integrity and fearlessness that define my work. Whether it’s exposing corruption in places like Clayton County, Georgia, or challenging unconstitutional arrests, I am relentless in my pursuit of justice. I want readers to know that this work is not just about legal advocacy—it’s about community empowerment. Whether through legal support, media storytelling, or direct action, my mission is to turn pain into power and ensure that no one is left fighting alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saytheirnamesmonuments.com
- Instagram: megkeller88
- Facebook: /Megkeller88
