Since being released from prison, Meek Mill has become one of hip hop’s biggest social justice advocates, working hard to change the unjust ways of the legal system. Working with The REFORM Alliance, Meek is now being honored with NYU’s McSilver Institute‘s social justice award.

During his speech, Mill says he felt inspired to work on social reform after the love and support he received while being locked up. “I wanted to do something about it when I got the support from my people and people standing for me at this last situation.”

In June, the ‘Championships’ rapper was granted an appellate hearing with Philadelphia’s Superior Court. Meek and his team are working to overturn his previous conviction, which also ties into his 2007 arrest.