Onward Blog

Maggie Luna speaks about barriers facing formerly incarcerated Texans

By JLUSA

March 16, 2023

JLUSA leader Maggie Luna spoke with Texas Observer about barriers to reentry.

Marlon Chamberlain on “Permanent Punishments”

By JLUSA

February 28, 2023

Marlon Chamberlain reveals the invisible bars called “permanent punishments” that follow people long after their prison sentences have been served.

This year, JLUSA leader Savvy Shabazz cast his vote for the first time after 20 years as a disenfranchised voter

By JLUSA

October 26, 2022

JLUSA leader Savvy Shabazz speaks about having his voting rights restored

JLUSA leader Brandon Smith on The Frontline at Atmos

By JLUSA

August 15, 2022

Brandon Smith is a 2020 Leading with Conviction graduate. He shares his story with The Frontline at Atmos.

I’m hoping to remove barriers for people coming home, some of the same barriers that I encountered.

By Richard Speck, #LwC2021

November 10, 2021

Richard Speck is a Community Engagement Specialist at Safe and Just Michigan.

I want to see the resources that are provided to certain populations be provided equally for all.

By David Gaspar, #LwC2021

October 27, 2021

David Gaspar is National Director of Operations at The Bail Project.

You can feel the rumbling of the earth underneath you when you work in this field.

By Debra Wright, #LwC2021

October 14, 2021

Debra Wright supervises substance use disorder programs throughout Michigan.

I would love to see us reshape the whole system in a way that’s more just for all people.

By Tony Gant, #LWC2021

September 24, 2021

Tony Gant is the Policy Director for Nation Outside

In this work you have to believe in the magical and mystical.

By Christopher Zahn, #LwC2021

August 5, 2021

Christopher Zahn is a Certified Recovery Coach/Trainer, Peer Specialist, Reentry Specialist and Nurturing Parenting Program Facilitator.

We make society safer when we extend services, opportunity, and grace to everyone who has done their time.

By Zach Ruppel, #LwC2021

August 4, 2021

Zach Ruppel is a Data and Research Analyst for the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs

Image for post titled I am formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted and I decided to utilize everything that I had been through, the mistakes I have made, to be a catalyst for positive change.

I am formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted and I decided to utilize everything that I had been through, the mistakes I have made, to be a catalyst for positive change.

By Ashley Goldon, #LwC2021

August 3, 2021

Ashley Goldon is the Statewide Program Director of Nation Outside

“As leaders, to truly be successful in our organization or whatever endeavors we take on, we have to be strong as individuals.”

By Chazidy Bowman, #LwC2021, President and Founder of Opportunities People’s Justice Leaders

July 22, 2021

Chazidy Bowman is the President and Founder of Opportunities People’s Justice Leaders.

The Iron is Hot Right Now.

By Kesha Hamilton, #LwC2021

May 19, 2021

Kesha Hamilton is the co-founder and current Co-Chair of Racing 4 Equity.

Image for post titled I think the core of the work that we do is bound up in the idea that people who are incarcerated should be treated as human beings, and that we have a responsibility to them.

I think the core of the work that we do is bound up in the idea that people who are incarcerated should be treated as human beings, and that we have a responsibility to them.

By Josh Hoe, #LwC2021

April 16, 2021

Josh Hoe is a policy analyst at Safe and Just Michigan.

I’ve seen what hope can do.

By Ron Pierce, #LwC2020

April 28, 2020

Ron Pierce holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies minoring in Sociology from Rutgers University-Newark.

I am ambitious with hope!

By Coral Smith, #LwC2020

Coral Nichols is a certified life coach and a sought after public speaker.

Since 2014, JustLeadershipUSA has maintained our commitment to ensuring systems-impacted voices are at the forefront of the movement for criminal legal reform, empowering directly impacted leaders in over 45 states with the tools, resources, and connections to transform their work.

Your donation will provide crucial support for our leadership training programs, empowering future generations of leaders and propelling the work of JLUSA and our alumni as we continue to advocate and push reform on issues that matter the most in our communities.

In just 10 years, JLUSA and our network of leaders have worked to dismantle decades of harm caused by the criminal legal system.

Partner with us today to enable 10 more years of progress.

Onward Blog

Maggie Luna speaks about barriers facing formerly incarcerated Texans

Marlon Chamberlain on “Permanent Punishments”

This year, JLUSA leader Savvy Shabazz cast his vote for the first time after 20 years as a disenfranchised voter

JLUSA leader Brandon Smith on The Frontline at Atmos

I’m hoping to remove barriers for people coming home, some of the same barriers that I encountered.

I want to see the resources that are provided to certain populations be provided equally for all.

You can feel the rumbling of the earth underneath you when you work in this field.

I would love to see us reshape the whole system in a way that’s more just for all people.

In this work you have to believe in the magical and mystical.

We make society safer when we extend services, opportunity, and grace to everyone who has done their time.

I am formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted and I decided to utilize everything that I had been through, the mistakes I have made, to be a catalyst for positive change.

“As leaders, to truly be successful in our organization or whatever endeavors we take on, we have to be strong as individuals.”

The Iron is Hot Right Now.

I think the core of the work that we do is bound up in the idea that people who are incarcerated should be treated as human beings, and that we have a responsibility to them.

I’ve seen what hope can do.

I am ambitious with hope!

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