Onward Blog

JLUSA leader Tarra Simmons first among five formerly incarcerated elected to state legislatures since 2021

By JLUSA

June 16, 2023

Since 2021, a string of people have been elected to state legislatures who openly discuss their histories with the criminal justice system.

“Slutty Vegan” founder credits her formerly incarcerated father for her entrepreneurial hustle

By JLUSA

June 13, 2023

Aisha “Pinky” Cole, owner and operator of the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain, was profiled recently in The New Yorker.

Hear directly from Larry Miller at JLUSA’s Ninth Annual Benefit Gala

By JLUSA

June 4, 2023

In this interview, Nike executive Larry Miller shares why employers should give the formerly incarcerated a second chance.

JLUSA leader Ashley Goldon says: “Don’t forget those who can’t get a clean slate”

By JLUSA

June 3, 2023

2020 Leading with Conviction™ graduate and 2023 Leading with Conviction™ Award recipient Ashley Goldon writes about her experience with “Clean Slate.”

JLUSA President and CEO attends White House Convening on Equity

By JLUSA

May 26, 2023

On Tuesday, May 23, JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins attended a White House Convening on Equity.

JLUSA leader Maggie Luna speaks out against proposed Texas legislation that would make illegal voting a felony

By JLUSA

May 25, 2023

2021 Leading with Conviction™ graduate Maggie Luna is speaking out against legislation that would make illegal voting a felony.

JLUSA’s Ninth Annual Benefit Gala auction

May 24, 2023

JLUSA is excited to auction pieces from young artists generously donated by the Assembly program at Recess Art.

JLUSA leader Jamira Burley on the role of technology in authentic activism

By JLUSA

May 19, 2023

Leading with Conviction™ 2015 graduate Jamira Burley spoke on a panel at the 2022 One Young World Summit.

Prison to Promise podcast amplifies the voices of formerly incarcerated individuals

By JLUSA

May 18, 2023

Craig Waleed is on a mission to show others that successful reentry to society is possible through his weekly podcast, Prison to Promise.

JustUS Coordinating Council called “spearhead for the criminal justice reform movement”

By JLUSA

May 11, 2023

Chris Stevens, founder of A More Just America, writes [The JCC is] “working to create … a defined spearhead for the criminal justice reform movement.”

JLUSA leaders and alumni join the JustUS Coordinating Council launch in Washington, D.C.

By JLUSA

May 9, 2023

2023 Leading with Conviction cohort members joined JLUSA alumni for the JCC launch weekend and forum two of this year's program.

Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Are No Longer Demanding a Seat at the Table, We Are Building Our Own

By DeAnna Hoskins and Xavier McElrath-Bey

April 29, 2023

The JustUS Coordinating Council is officially being launched today, during “Second Chance Month,” with two historic gatherings in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Tarra Simmons casts critical vote on Washington drug possession statute

By JLUSA

April 26, 2023

JLUSA leader Rep. Tarra Simmons cast a critical vote Sunday in the state of Washington.

DeAnna Hoskins speaks about the JustUS Coordinating Council with radio host Mark Renick

By JLUSA

April 24, 2023

JLUSA leader Mark Renick interviews President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins.

Kemba Smith joins the ACLU’s “At Liberty” podcast

By JLUSA

April 21, 2023

JLUSA leader Kemba Smith joined the ACLU to speak about clemency and the war on drugs.

DeAnna Hoskins joins 2023 Academic and Health Policy Conference on Correctional Health

April 20, 2023

DeAnna Hoskins recently spoke at the Academic and Health Policy Conference on Correctional Health, held in Raleigh, NC.