Onward Blog

JLUSA leader Emile DeWeaver speaks out on Gavin Newsom’s prison reform in California

By JLUSA

October 19, 2023

Emile DeWeaver (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) writes in The Appeal.

Rep. Keturah Herron on gun violence and the need for accurate information

By JLUSA

October 12, 2023

Rep. Keturah Herron (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) writes on the need for an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the Department of Public Health.

Kutcher-Kunis Character Letters Ignite Debate: Exposing America’s Vast Misunderstanding of Sentencing and Justice

By Belen Enriquez

October 3, 2023

The recent controversy involving Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis highlights a glaring lack of understanding of the fundamental role of leniency letters.

John Koufos on why Republicans should support bail reform

By JLUSA

September 17, 2023

JLUSA leader John Koufos (Leading with Conviction™ 2017) wrote recently in The Washington Times on bail reform.

JLUSA leader Khalif Ali: “Candidates Need To Give Black Men A Tangible Reason To Vote”

By JLUSA

September 14, 2023

JustLeadershipUSA leader Khalif Ali (Leading with Conviction™ 2020) shared his perspective recently in the Bucks County Beacon.

JLUSA board member Ashish Prashar on “The Radical Power of Second Chances”

By Ashish Prashar

September 12, 2023

Prashar spoke recently at TEDx Culver City in California on “Mind the Gap: The Radical Power of Second Chances.” Watch the video and read his speech.

America Doesn’t Need Public Mugshots of Donald Trump or Anyone for That Matter

By JLUSA

August 24, 2023

Khalil Cumberbatch (Leading with Conviction™ 2015) makes the case for other states to follow New York in revising policies regarding mugshots.

Live with #JustUs: Are you Leading with Conviction™?

By JLUSA

August 8, 2023

Join our live discussion and Q&A with JLUSA staff and leaders about our 10th Anniversary Leading with Conviction™ 2024 cohort!

Why Electing Progressive District Attorneys Is Crucial

By DeAnna Hoskins and Ronald Simpson-Bey

July 27, 2022

Our efforts to transform the justice system continue to face strong opposition from all quarters.

Will the American Jobs Plan Include Us?

By Susan Mason and Tracey Syphax

May 4, 2021

Susan Mason is co-founder and executive director of What’s Next – Washington. Tracey Syphax is Chief Operating Officer of Phax Group Construction & De

Restoring the Right to Vote

By DeAnna Hoskins

May 3, 2019

Demand whichever presidential candidate you decide to support commits to ending felony disenfranchisement!

I Know Rikers

By Darren Mack

April 11, 2019

I have been with the campaign to #CLOSErikers since the beginning because I know that Rikers is a human rights crisis. I know it must be closed now.

Trump Plans New Barriers for Job Seekers with Records

By DeAnna Hoskins

We need your voice to call on the Trump administration to end a dangerous rule change before it begins.

People on Parole Should Serve on Juries

By Vidal Guzman with Megan French-Marcelin

April 4, 2019

New York State undermines its commitment to civic engagement by barring people on parole and probation from participating in juries.

A Call for People-First Language

By Divine Pryor

January 15, 2019

Since the founding of the United States, language has been central to dehumanizing Black and brown people to justify violence and injustice.

Dispatch from the Field: Organizing Kids and Young People to Build Communities in NYC

By Harvey Murphy

January 9, 2019

I’m JustLeadershipUSA’s NYC Community Organizer, working to #CLOSErikers, build communities, and end mass incarceration.