Onward Blog

Mass incarceration is just the fourth generation of slavery, and collateral sanctions are just Jim Crow all over again.

By Crystal Bryant, #LwC2019

July 2, 2019

I am the Director for the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry.

There’s always something to be said when you’re doing something for the community you grew up in or serving a population where you can relate directly to their experiences.

By Yasmine Arrington, #Lwc2019

July 1, 2019

I am the Founder and Executive Director of ScholarCHIPS, a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.

I want to help people who have lost the ability to dream to dream again.

By David Garlock, #LwC2019

May 15, 2019

After a Leading with Conviction forum ... you realize you’ve just solved a problem you thought was beyond you.

Restoring the Right to Vote

By DeAnna Hoskins

May 3, 2019

Demand whichever presidential candidate you decide to support commits to ending felony disenfranchisement!

When I started to hear other women’s stories, I realized something had to change. I realized this wasn’t just me.

By Zaria Davis, #LwC2019

May 1, 2019

Leading with Conviction is awesome. There is so much content and useful information for me as a leader that I can take back.

Let’s Celebrate! #CLOSEthecreek First Anniversary Playlist, Movement Music, Volume 1

By The #CLOSEthecreek Team

April 23, 2019

From Monday April 22 through Friday April 26, the #CLOSEthecreek campaign is celebrating and bringing community together!

To know I’ve given a voice to people who consider themselves voiceless is huge for me.

By Jonathan McGee, #LwC2019

April 17, 2019

Leading with Conviction is transformational.

I Know Rikers

By Darren Mack

April 11, 2019

I have been with the campaign to #CLOSErikers since the beginning because I know that Rikers is a human rights crisis. I know it must be closed now.

Trump Plans New Barriers for Job Seekers with Records

By DeAnna Hoskins

We need your voice to call on the Trump administration to end a dangerous rule change before it begins.

Until We Are All Free…

By DeAnna Hoskins

April 4, 2019

This week, after years of unwavering and uncompromising advocacy, directly impacted communities won three historic victories in New York State. 

People on Parole Should Serve on Juries

By Vidal Guzman with Megan French-Marcelin

New York State undermines its commitment to civic engagement by barring people on parole and probation from participating in juries.

Demand Your Rights

By Megan French-Marcelin, #WORKINGfuture Campaign Coordinator

March 19, 2019

Over 70,000,000people in the United States have a criminal record. They face an estimated 45,000 barriers and exclusions.

I want to leverage technology to end mass incarceration.

By Marcus Bullock, #LwC2019

March 18, 2019

When I was only fifteen years old, I was sentenced to eight years in prison and sent to a maximum security facility hours away from my home.

ONWARD ALERT: Trump Takes Aim at SNAP

By Megan, Hakim, Lester, and the #WORKINGfuture Team

March 12, 2019

Formerly incarcerated people are organizing to stop dangerous cuts from essential food stamps

A Leap Forward in L.A.

By Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles Campaign Coordinator

March 6, 2019

JusticeLA secured a vote to replace a men's jail with mental health facilities and stop plans for the construction of a women's jail in the city.

We are people who were caught up in the system and made it out, and now we get to be the voice for other people.

By Alaina Combs, #LwC2019

I can’t talk about Leading with Conviction without crying because I’m just so grateful to be a part of this cohort.