Sam McCann

Background

About Sam McCann

My name is Sam McCann, a communications specialist, writer, and researcher based in New York City. I am currently a Senior Writer at the Vera Institute of Justice. In that role, I pitch, research, and write public-facing content for Vera, seizing political windows to push the organization's strategic priorities. I build and maintain relationships with sources who have been harmed by the criminal legal system, as well as with researchers, legislators, and practitioners throughout the legal system. Prior to joining Vera, I ran communications at Neighborhood Defender Service, a public defender organization with offices in Harlem and Detroit. In that capacity I handled all outward facing communications: I developed and implemented media strategy; analyzed and framed policy advocacy; wrote and placed op-eds; and pitched journalists. I also ran social media, managed our website, organized events and contributed to development. Before my time at NDS, I served on the communications team at the International Center for Transitional Justice, an organization that works with activists and governments to implement truth-telling processes, reparations, and other justice mechanisms following massive rights violations. I also worked as a researcher on Michael Moore's most recent film,​ Fahrenheit 11/9. Outside of my professional life, I organize my community in Queens. I contributed to the successful fight against New York's attempt to give billions of dollars of taxpayer money to Amazon. I also organized heavily on behalf of Tiffany Cabán's campaign for Queens District Attorney, Zohran Mamdani's campaign for State Assembly in Astoria, and Kristen Gonzalez's State Senate campaign. Prior to coming to Queens, I joined with workers at Ithaca College to improve their conditions, helping to lead a successful student pressure campaign against the college administration.