Onward Blog

Is Alabama just keeping people incarcerated to continue using them as cheap labor?

By JLUSA

September 5, 2024

If the Alabama Parole Board followed its own guidelines, it would grant parole in ~80% of cases. Instead, that number dropped to just 8% in 2023. Why?

Timothy Burgess discusses extreme heat in Vermont prisons with The Appeal

By JLUSA

September 3, 2024

Like much of the Northeast, Vermont is heating up at a troubling pace, making it one of the fastest-warming states in the country.

SaulPaul’s new album “Speak Hope, Sing Joy” is out now!

By JLUSA

August 30, 2024

Known for blending R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeat, folk, pop, and reggae, SaulPaul’s highly anticipated new album is out today!

Ruby Welch and Sheriff Eric Higgins discuss the “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” docuseries

By JLUSA

August 29, 2024

Ruby Welch (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) works with Sheriff Eric Higgins in the Pulaski County, Arkansas, jail system.

On this anniversary, we remember Harry Belafonte’s pivotal role in the March on Washington

By JLUSA

August 28, 2024

Late singer, actor, and activist Harry Belafonte (1927-2023) was there 61 years ago and helped fund, organize, and publicize the March on Washington.

Jeffrey Abramowitz on the power of storytelling in “high impact philanthropy”

By JLUSA

August 27, 2024

Jeffrey Abramowitz, J.D. (Leading with Conviction™ 2018) is currently serving as the chief executive officer of the Petey Greene Program.

Are Biden and the Democratic Party breaking their promise to end the death penalty?

By JLUSA

August 26, 2024

Last week, the Democratic Party approved its 2024 platform, which includes no mention of the death penalty for the first time.

Shaka Senghor on “Super Soul Sunday” with Oprah

By JLUSA

August 23, 2024

Criminal justice activist Shaka Senghor sat down with Oprah Winfrey for an in-depth interview. The video is now online! Watch.

6 reasons to stop using “felon” language

By Joshua Hoe

August 22, 2024

Joshua Hoe (Leading with Conviction™ 2021) shares six reasons to stop using discriminatory and demonizing language.

JustLeadershipUSA Receives Grant to Conduct Community-Based Research Aimed at Reducing Inequities, Improve Health Outcomes

By JLUSA

JLUSA is one of four teams of scientists and community leaders to engage historically underrepresented communities in research to improve health.

Tim Walz was arrested once in 1995 for DUI — he gave up drinking, but some still judge him for it three decades later

By JLUSA

August 21, 2024

Walz described his arrest as a “gut check moment,” when he recommitted to being a role model to his students.

A Voice, If You Can Keep It

By Guy Hamilton-Smith

August 20, 2024

“Kentucky’s new law does not outright ban speech on social media, nor could it. But for many people, including my client, it is a ban ...”