My friend Valerie Bolden, who helped inspire both the song and album We the Common (my 2013 full length I wrote in tribute to her and all incarcerated and formerly incarcerated members of CCWP (California Coalition of Women Prisoners)), lost her job with United Way in June, and her unemployment has run out. Valerie needs financial help to make ends meet while she continues her search for new full-time employment.

I met Valerie on my first ever advocacy visit with CCWP in 2011. We fell into easy conversation that wound to her devotion to her children and the immense pain of being separated from them for many years. Valerie was extremely gracious in her candor, and the love and pain she felt for her children inspired me to write the single We The Common (For Valerie Bolden). Valerie has been home since late 2020. If any of you out there are fans of We the Common and you are in a position to donate, we would be so grateful.

Thank you,

Thao and Valerie