Onward Blog

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.

Open Letter to New York City Correctional Officers

By JustLeadershipUSA

We are a group of formerly incarcerated individuals, and loved ones of people formerly and currently incarcerated, and we are fighting to #CLOSErikers

What You Need To Know About The First Step Act

By DeAnna Hoskins

November 20, 2018

I’m writing to to share the concerns of JustLeadershipUSA, and key national partner organizations regarding the First Step Act.

Vidal’s Corner Episode 2: Voting in New York while on Parole

August 8, 2018

JLUSA Community Organizer Vidal Guzman discusses voting on parole in New York State.

A New Normal in Philadelphia: A Dispatch from the Field

By Reuben Jones

July 11, 2018

Reuben Jones charts the enormous progress of the #CLOSEthecreek campaign.

#CLOSEmsdf: A Dispatch from the Field

By Sharyl McFarland, JLUSA Milwaukee Community Organizer

June 26, 2018

The #CLOSEmsdf Campaign is going strong, and we’ve only just begun.

Vidal’s Corner Episode 1: Ending the Gang Database in New York City

By Vidal Guzman

May 24, 2018

Vidal Guzman breaks down why the NYPD gang database must end

The Sleeping Giant

By Megan French-Marcelin

May 22, 2018

JLUSA Fair Hiring Project Coordinator Megan French-Marcelin sits down with Norris Henderson, founder and Executive director of VOTE.

A Struggle to Survive: Motherhood Post-Incarceration

By Brenda Lawson, #WORKINGfuture Member

May 15, 2018

Like so many mothers I spent this past Sunday—Mother’s Day—with my children. But for me it’s a day that’s more about my children than it is about me.