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People to Watch in 2026: “DeAnna Hoskins [Leading with Conviction™ 2016], 57, president and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA, a national nonprofit dedicated to cutting the United States’ [incarcerated] population in half by 2030.
If you’re not invested in the social safety net, but you are invested in punishment and control … your priority is the system, not the people.
“Hoskins told The Enquirer she plans to use her platform in 2026 to encourage state, county and city leaders in Ohio to institute more proactive measures focusing on prevention and diversion to keep people out of the criminal justice system.
“She said her advocacy is based on the experiences she lived ‘right there on the streets of Cincinnati.’
“Hoskins, who had a crack cocaine addiction, received a pardon from former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland after serving six months in a correctional facility for violating probation on a felony theft charge.
“She said she would like to see more investment in social safety net programs to reduce crime and recidivism by addressing root causes, such as poverty and poor education.
“‘If you’re not invested in the social safety net, but you are invested in punishment and control … your priority is the system, not the people,’ she said.
“Hoskins, a Cincinnati native who works from her home in East Price Hill, was the first formerly incarcerated person appointed a White House Fellow.
“She was a member of the 2024-2025 class serving at the Department of the Army, sharing her experiences as someone who successfully transitioned back into the community to help inform federal policymaking on criminal justice reform.
“Hoskins previously served as senior policy advisor over corrections and reentry with the Department of Justice under the Obama administration.
“She returned to Cincinnati in September from her year-long sabbatical as a White House Fellow and resumed her position with JustLeadershipUSA.”
Thank you so much for supporting our mission here at JLUSA! Your donation helps to support our network of leaders working to dismantle oppressive systems and uplift people and families impacted by mass incarceration across the country.
All charitable donations made to JLUSA are fully tax deductible, as allowable by the IRS.
