Onward Blog

Jelly Roll opens music studio inside Nashville youth detention facility where he was once incarcerated

By JLUSA

May 3, 2024

Country music artist Jelly Roll recently helped open a music studio inside the Nashville Juvenile Detention Center.

Tracey Syphax’s inspirational story for 400,000 Philadelphians living with criminal records

By JLUSA

May 2, 2024

Axios Philadelphia recently profiled Tracey Syphax (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) and shared his inspirational story.

Ashley Furst on reducing recidivism in Colorado

By JLUSA

May 1, 2024

Ashley Furst (LwC 2024 participant) says continued contact their reentry specialists provide helps keep participants from returning to prison.

Philip Cooper celebrates the inaugural gala for Operation Gateway

By JLUSA

April 30, 2024

Last week, Philip Cooper (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) celebrated the inaugural fundraising gala for his organization Operation Gateway.

Keeda Haynes responds to federal court decision on voting rights for people with felony convictions in Tennessee

By JLUSA

April 25, 2024

A federal judge affirmed that Tennessee election officials cannot deny voter registration to eligible Tennesseans who have past felony convictions.

Emilee Shell fighting for voting rights for people in Mississippi with felony convictions

By JLUSA

April 19, 2024

Earlier this week Emilee Shell (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) spoke with media at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson following a legislative hearing.

Marlon Chamberlain on 4.1 million people in Illinois eligible for expungement

By JLUSA

April 18, 2024

“In Illinois, there’s an estimated 4.1 million people that will be impacted, if and when we’re able to eliminate these permanent punishments.”

2nd Annual Second Chance Freedom Ball

By JLUSA

April 11, 2024

The 2nd Annual Second Chance Freedom Ball—hosted by JustLeadershipUSA and the JustUS Coordinating Council—is taking place Saturday, April 20, in D.C.

Khalif Ali says “codifying voting rights … is a moral imperative”

By JLUSA

Khalif Ali (Leading with Conviction™ 2020) says that Americans “cannot turn a blind eye” to the threats facing the country’s democratic institutions.

Jessica Snow announces Flikshop’s new “Family Matters” reentry ebooks

By Jessica Snow

April 3, 2024

Jessica Snow (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) is the Vice President of Operations at Flikshop.

Savvy Shabazz says “post-incarceration syndrome”—PICS—is real

By JLUSA

April 2, 2024

Savvy Shabazz (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) educates people and organizations about “post-incarceration syndrome” (PICS).

Yasmine Arrington highlighted as a “Drew Gooder” on The Drew Barrymore Show

By JLUSA

March 29, 2024

Yasmine Arrington (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) was featured March 20 on The Drew Barrymore Show as a “Drew Gooder.” Watch now!

Two new Movement and Capacity Building Specialists have joined JLUSA!

By JLUSA

March 27, 2024

Please help us welcome both of these amazing leaders to the JLUSA team!

Ronald Simpson-Bey testifies on Second Look Legislation before Michigan House Criminal Justice Committee

By JLUSA

March 22, 2024

Ronald Simpson-Bey testified Tuesday at a public hearing on the Second Look Legislation before the Michigan House Criminal Justice Committee. Watch!

JLUSA leaders receive funding from MacKenzie Scott’s foundation

By JLUSA

March 21, 2024

Congratulations to JLUSA leaders who received grants this week from MacKenzie Scott’s foundation, Yield Giving!

Keturah Herron joins bipartisan effort to pass the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act

By JLUSA

March 13, 2024

Keturah Herron (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) joined a bipartisan group of Kentucky Congress members to support the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.