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Onward Blog

Image for post titled Brandon Smith lost his Altadena home in the recent California wildfires — here’s what he had to say about what happened

Brandon Smith lost his Altadena home in the recent California wildfires — here’s what he had to say about what happened

By JLUSA

January 30, 2025

Brandon Smith (Leading with Conviction™ 2020) is a California resident and the co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.

Image for post titled Tamara Springs on how JustLeadershipUSA helped her find her voice and empowered her leadership

Tamara Springs on how JustLeadershipUSA helped her find her voice and empowered her leadership

By JLUSA

January 29, 2025

Tamara Springs (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) says, “[LwC] guided me in finding my voice, which has been incredibly empowering.”

Image for post titled Tony McCright on challenges and solutions for providing housing for formerly incarcerated people in small cities

Tony McCright on challenges and solutions for providing housing for formerly incarcerated people in small cities

By JLUSA

January 27, 2025

“Finding stable housing is one of the most significant challenges for people reentering their communities after incarceration.”

Image for post titled David Gaspar on why mutual aid is vital for criminal justice reform’s next chapter

David Gaspar on why mutual aid is vital for criminal justice reform’s next chapter

By JLUSA

January 20, 2025

“In the words of [John] Lewis: ‘When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up ... you have to do something.’”

Image for post titled JLUSA leaders speak out on restoring voting rights for people incarcerated in Illinois

JLUSA leaders speak out on restoring voting rights for people incarcerated in Illinois

By JLUSA

January 17, 2025

Avalon Betts-Gaston (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) and Marlon Chamberlain (LwC 2019) speak to The Triibe about voting rights in Illinois.

Image for post titled Chandra Bozelko calls on California to make incarcerated firefighters “what they are: employees”

Chandra Bozelko calls on California to make incarcerated firefighters “what they are: employees”

By JLUSA

January 16, 2025

“These firefighters deserve something even better than raised wages or celebrations. They should be designated what they are: employees.”

Image for post titled D’Marria Monday calls on President Biden to commute life sentences

D’Marria Monday calls on President Biden to commute life sentences

By JLUSA

January 13, 2025

In an op-ed published by Truthout, D’Marria Monday (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) calls on President Biden to commute federal life sentences.

Image for post titled Cecilia Zavala on presidential pardons and “the stigma that harms generations”

Cecilia Zavala on presidential pardons and “the stigma that harms generations”

By JLUSA

January 6, 2025

I know firsthand how society judges parents like me—not by the love and care we provide our children but by the labels of our past.

Image for post titled Melissa Ludin on the importance of physical mail for incarcerated people in Wisconsin

Melissa Ludin on the importance of physical mail for incarcerated people in Wisconsin

By JLUSA

December 12, 2024

During my time in prison, letters were my lifeline.

Image for post titled Khalif Ali on “Biden pardon drama”

Khalif Ali on “Biden pardon drama”

By JLUSA

December 11, 2024

President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son Hunter has set off the usual storm of commentary.

Image for post titled Timothy Lanier speaks about his experience with disenfranchisement

Timothy Lanier speaks about his experience with disenfranchisement

By JLUSA

November 13, 2024

Timothy Lanier tells his story and speaks about the Freedom to Vote Act.

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 Cecilia Zavala speaks about barriers to voting for incarcerated people

Cecilia Zavala speaks about barriers to voting for incarcerated people

By JLUSA

November 4, 2024

Cecilia Zavala says poverty impacts the ability of incarcerated people to 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.

Image for post titled Robyn Hasan Simpson speaks at the Atlantic Festival 2024 on pretrial detention and the state of America’s jails

Robyn Hasan Simpson speaks at the Atlantic Festival 2024 on pretrial detention and the state of America’s jails

By JLUSA

September 30, 2024

Robyn Hasan Simpson (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) spoke September 19 at the Atlantic Festival 2024 held at The Wharf in Washington, D.C.