Onward Blog

Image for post titled I Have a Real Sense Each Day That the Things I’m Working on are Actually Going to Result in Meaningful Policy Change

I Have a Real Sense Each Day That the Things I’m Working on are Actually Going to Result in Meaningful Policy Change

By Douglas Smith, #LwC2018

August 9, 2018

The Leading with Conviction training is reinforcing the importance of building strong partnerships with grassroots leadership.
Image for post titled I Believe in Approaching Things from a Place of Possibility. If We Lose Hope, Then We Have Nothing.

I Believe in Approaching Things from a Place of Possibility. If We Lose Hope, Then We Have Nothing.

By Quintin Williams, #LwC2018

JustLeadershipUSA and LwC keep me hopeful as well.
Image for post titled I am the Policy Coordinator for the Anti-Recidivism Coalition in Los Angeles.

I am the Policy Coordinator for the Anti-Recidivism Coalition in Los Angeles.

By Kent Mendoza #LwC2018

May 17, 2018

We provide hundreds of formerly incarcerated people with mentorship, mental health services, supportive housing, access to jobs and education.
Image for post titled Real Reform Means that I Can Tell My 8 Year Old Daughter Miracle that She Doesn’t Have to be Afraid Anymore of Walking While Black

Real Reform Means that I Can Tell My 8 Year Old Daughter Miracle that She Doesn’t Have to be Afraid Anymore of Walking While Black

By Shanequa Charles, #LwC2018

May 3, 2018

JLUSA’s Leading with Conviction training compares to nothing I’ve ever been a part of.
Image for post titled Our Life Experiences Have Greater Value and Power than Anyone Else’s in Fighting for Criminal Justice Reform

Our Life Experiences Have Greater Value and Power than Anyone Else’s in Fighting for Criminal Justice Reform

By Darwin Hamilton, #LwC2018

April 26, 2018

When people wonder why I fight for criminal justice reform I explain that I have been both convicted of crime and a victim of crime.
Image for post titled When You Reach the Edges of Your Imagination, What is it that You Want for Yourself and the People that You Love?

When You Reach the Edges of Your Imagination, What is it that You Want for Yourself and the People that You Love?

By Grace Gámez, #LwC2018

March 20, 2018

LwC is a space where you don’t have to explain either the pain of shame and stigma or the passion for your work.
Image for post titled I Felt there Was a Missing Element in the Struggle of Young Black Youth, and that was Having a Mentor

I Felt there Was a Missing Element in the Struggle of Young Black Youth, and that was Having a Mentor

By Hakim Crampton, #LwC2018

March 9, 2018

LwC isn’t so much about teaching you about leadership; It’s really about how to conduct yourself as a leader.
Image for post titled No Two Stories are Exactly the Same, But Everyone is Coming to the Table

No Two Stories are Exactly the Same, But Everyone is Coming to the Table

By Michael King, #LwC2018

February 23, 2018

To say that I was blown away by my first Leading with Conviction forum would be an understatement.
Image for post titled If You’re Tired of the Same and You Wanna Make a Difference, it’s Time to Be the Change

If You’re Tired of the Same and You Wanna Make a Difference, it’s Time to Be the Change

By SaulPaul, #LwC2018

February 20, 2018

I’ve lived long enough to see some cycles repeat and I’ve seen some things change that people probably thought were permanent. But things can change!
Image for post titled I had the audacity to believe that a prison sentence was not going to ruin my life

I had the audacity to believe that a prison sentence was not going to ruin my life

By Teresa Hodge, #LwC2015

April 9, 2015

When Teresa Hodge entered prison to serve a 70-month sentence for a white collar conviction, she was determined not to let it ruin...