Channing Blake stands in line at Torchy’s Tacos, the lunchtime crowd buzzing around him as he studies the menu filled with quippy names like “Tipsy Chick,” “Scallywag,” and “The Hogfather.” After a moment, his face brightens as his decision is made. With a grin, he steps up to the counter and says, “I’ll have the Republican and the Democrat.” It’s a small moment but it captures something essential about Channing – in a world that feels like it’s divided in half, it’s OK to be nonpartisan about tacos.
As Parole Project’s policy manager, Channing spends much of his time at the Louisiana State Capitol, navigating hallways where relationships matter as much as legislation.
His walk from the parking lot to a committee hearing is rarely a straight line, it’s a steady stream of handshakes and familiar faces. He’s genuine, affable, and humble. But beneath that warmth is a deep sense of responsibility. His work centers on strengthening public safety, supporting accountability, and expanding second chances for people returning home from prison.
“I decided to join Parole Project because I believe in the work this organization has been doing for years,” he said. “Parole Project’s commitment to rehabilitation and redemption, while still honoring accountability and public safety, is something I deeply respect. I’m honored to play even a small part in that effort.”
Channing serves as Parole Project’s primary liaison with Louisiana’s policy makers. With insight gained from more than a decade in this field, he guides Parole Project’s policy initiatives. Over his career, he has been instrumental in bridging gaps with fairness, equity, and justice for all involved.
Channing joined Parole Project’s staff in September 2022 after working for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections’ Crime Victim Services Bureau. Prior to that position, he worked on staff for several elected officials across the state of Louisiana. He combines his experiences in victim representation and policy work with firsthand interactions with Parole Project’s clients to build a holistic view of mass incarceration’s impact.
While working at the Department of Corrections he met Executive Director Andrew Hundley and Kerry Myers, deputy director of advocacy and development.
“Before Channing joined our team, we already knew he had a real gift for building and fostering relationships,” Hundley said. “That has proven to be a tremendous strength for our organization. Forging strong relationships has a meaningful impact on the work we do and the policies that are ultimately changed and implemented.”
When he was offered a position to work with Parole Project in the Fall of 2022, he immediately accepted it.
“I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Channing said. “Parole Project is changing lives every day, and I wanted to be part of that work.”
His experience in victim representation, policy work, and his direct relationships with Parole Project clients gives him a wide‑angle view of how incarceration shapes the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities. That perspective now informs a role that spans pardon and parole hearings, policy development, and statewide advocacy.
He has earned a reputation for bringing people together and keeping fairness, equity, and justice at the center of every discussion, and he is often heard quoting the phrase, “when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
