Onward Blog

Mark Rice on Wisconsin’s plan to overhaul prison system

By JLUSA

November 10, 2025

“[GBCI] should’ve been closed down 20 years ago,” said Mark Rice (Leading with Conviction™ 2017). “The timeline is just too slow.”

Kemba Smith receives HBCU Scholars Fellowship from Virginia Humanities

By JLUSA

November 6, 2025

Kemba Smith Pradia (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) says, “This fellowship will personally help me reconnect with my voice as a writer and scholar ...”

JLUSA alumni celebrate “Clean Slate” victory in Illinois

By JLUSA

November 4, 2025

JustLeadershipUSA celebrates with alumni leaders who were instrumental in this victory.

JLUSA co-hosts “Municipal Courts and the Promise of Community Justice” convening at Rutgers University

October 30, 2025

Last week, JLUSA leaders, alumni, and partners joined advocates and practitioners from across the country in Newark, NJ, at Rutgers University.

Quianya Enge supports new reentry housing for formerly incarcerated women in Rockford, Illinois

By JLUSA

October 27, 2025

Quianya Enge (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) says, “Every woman deserves to return home to a place that restores her dignity.”

Yasmine Arrington-Brooks named one of 10 L’Oréal Paris “Women of Worth” for 2025

By JLUSA

October 16, 2025

Out of over 4,000 nominations, L’Oréal Paris has named Yasmine Arrington-Brooks (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) one of 10 “Women of Worth” for 2025.

Sen. Keturah Herron joins Louisville Community Safety Commission along with other local change agents

By JLUSA

August 27, 2025

As issues of violence, substance use, and residents’ lack of trust in police persist in the Metro, that’s where the group of change agents comes in.

Robyn Hasan-Simpson on why Georgia’s Survivor Justice Act is “better” than others around the nation

By JLUSA

August 25, 2025

“We just shared our story of how by having this law, it basically protects us for trying to survive.”

Dieter Cantu on contributing to new report on “Improving Health and Safety as Youth and Young Adults Leave the Justice System”

By JLUSA

August 13, 2025

Dieter Cantu (Leading with Conviction™ 2020) said, “Proud to have contributed to this new issue brief.”

Dominique Grant on Georgia’s purge of nearly half a million voters

By JLUSA

August 11, 2025

In a new video on TikTok, Dominique Grant (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) says, “If you have a felony conviction but you’re off paper, YOU CAN VOTE!”

SaulPaul participates in Savannah, Georgia youth summit

August 8, 2025

SaulPaul (Leading with Conviction™ 2018) spoke to teens about his life and how important it was to know they’re born on purpose, with a purpose.

JLUSA panel discussion chosen for SXSW 2026 Community Voting—vote online now through August 24

By JLUSA

August 6, 2025

SXSW 2026 PanelPicker® Community Voting has officially opened, and we need your help! Please vote for our panel proposal “Unlikely Allies.”

Simone Price on the importance of providing financial assistance to formerly incarcerated people after reentry

By JLUSA

August 4, 2025

“We got together with several other organizations and found private funding to launch the Returning Citizen Stimulus.”

Michael Saine responds to social media uproar that led to the first VFW post inside a prison being shut down

By JLUSA

July 25, 2025

Michael Saine (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) “It was my severe displeasure to read about the closure of the first VFW post inside a prison facility.”

Timothy Burgess on Vermont’s Corrections Monitoring Commission ending after just three years

By JLUSA

July 9, 2025

Timothy Burgess (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) served as the group’s co-chair until it ended on July 1.

Jennifer Toon answers the question: Does crime by juveniles really rise during the summer months?

By JLUSA

June 30, 2025

“There is not something inherent in children or certain kids that, you know, this is why crime is happening. You have to look at the full context.”