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Onward Blog

Image for post titled Kemba Smith on clemency actions—such as presidential pardons and more

Kemba Smith on clemency actions—such as presidential pardons and more

By JLUSA

March 5, 2025

“Regardless of who’s in office, we need to understand that this is about freeing human lives.”

Image for post titled Keturah Herron pursuing legislation to end felony voter disenfranchisement in Kentucky

Keturah Herron pursuing legislation to end felony voter disenfranchisement in Kentucky

By JLUSA

March 3, 2025

Kentucky is one of only three states — along with Iowa and Virginia — that still prohibits people with felony convictions from voting for life.

Image for post titled Museum pays tribute to Johnny Cash and formerly incarcerated artists

Museum pays tribute to Johnny Cash and formerly incarcerated artists

By JLUSA

February 26, 2025

“1968: A Folsom Redemption” and “Beyond Confinement: The Untold Stories” are on view at the Fullerton Museum Center now through March 9.

Image for post titled Michelle West is finally free today!

Michelle West is finally free today!

By JLUSA

February 18, 2025

President Biden commuted West’s sentence, and she can finally reunite with her daughter outside of prison walls for the first time since 1993.

Image for post titled Savvy Shabazz on ending indentured servitude in Kentucky prisons

Savvy Shabazz on ending indentured servitude in Kentucky prisons

By JLUSA

February 12, 2025

“Part of reentry into our society is to make sure that we are prepared to take care of ourselves and our families. So pay us a livable wage.”

Image for post titled Khalif Ali celebrates the National Negro Opera House in Pittsburgh for Black History Month

Khalif Ali celebrates the National Negro Opera House in Pittsburgh for Black History Month

By JLUSA

February 10, 2025

Khalif Ali (Leading with Conviction 2020) currently serves as president of the National Opera House board in Pittsburgh, PA.

Image for post titled Philip Cooper chosen by TIME Magazine as one of 25 Black leaders working to end the racial equity gap in 2025

Philip Cooper chosen by TIME Magazine as one of 25 Black leaders working to end the racial equity gap in 2025

By JLUSA

February 6, 2025

Philip Cooper (Leading with Conviction 2022) is founder of the Asheville, N.C.-based nonprofit Operation Gateway.

Image for post titled Mark Rice says “lives could be saved” if third-party review of Wisconsin prisons leads to improvements

Mark Rice says “lives could be saved” if third-party review of Wisconsin prisons leads to improvements

By JLUSA

February 3, 2025

Mark Rice (Leading with Conviction™ 2017) hopes a third-party review of the Wisconsin prison system will lead to change.

Image for post titled Kemba Smith receives last-minute pardon from President Biden

Kemba Smith receives last-minute pardon from President Biden

By JLUSA

January 24, 2025

On his final full day in office, President Biden announced that he leveraged his clemency power to pardon Kemba Smith (Leading with Conviction™ 2019).

Image for post titled Dr. Reuben J. Miller, PhD: “Incarceration reverberates through the family system”

Dr. Reuben J. Miller, PhD: “Incarceration reverberates through the family system”

By JLUSA

January 8, 2025

“Families experience their own collateral consequences — their own form of incarceration.”

Image for post titled Remembering Jimmy Carter for his record on criminal justice reform

Remembering Jimmy Carter for his record on criminal justice reform

By Stephen Knight

December 29, 2024

President Jimmy Carter has passed after a long battle with cancer. He was 100 years old.

Image for post titled Keturah Herron vows to reintroduce legislation in Kentucky to establish Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Keturah Herron vows to reintroduce legislation in Kentucky to establish Office of Gun Violence Prevention

By JLUSA

December 16, 2024

Last week, Keturah Herron (LwC 2019) said she will once again introduce legislation to establish an office that will collect data on gun violence.

Image for post titled JLUSA leaders kick off Live Free Decarceration Fellowship

JLUSA leaders kick off Live Free Decarceration Fellowship

By JLUSA

November 25, 2024

Leading with Conviction™ graduates kick off Live Free Decarceration Fellowship for returning citizens.

Image for post titled Keturah Herron makes history as Kentucky’s first-ever LGBTQ+ woman state senator

Keturah Herron makes history as Kentucky’s first-ever LGBTQ+ woman state senator

By JLUSA

November 8, 2024

Keturah Herron has been elected as Kentucky's first-ever LGBTQ+ woman state senator

Image for post titled Kyle Giddings speaks about fighting misinformation and other barriers to voting in jail

Kyle Giddings speaks about fighting misinformation and other barriers to voting in jail

By JLUSA

November 6, 2024

Kyle Giddings speaks about working to help people in Colorado jails cast their vote.

Image for post titled Joe Watson says that it’s time to automatically restore lost voting rights in Arizona

Joe Watson says that it’s time to automatically restore lost voting rights in Arizona

By JLUSA

October 29, 2024

Joe Watson calls for restoration of voting rights in the Arizona Mirror.