Onward Blog

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 ...”

Brian Beals on expanding the Mud Theatre Project in Chicago

By JLUSA

August 19, 2024

Brian Beals was recently awarded a grant for the Mud Theatre Project as part of the Chicagoland Community Leadership Development Investment Program.

Simply Naomi performs “This Is Not My Home” — song that opened up the conversation around commutation for women in Pennsylvania

By JLUSA

August 16, 2024

“This Is Not My Home” by Simply Naomi is a soul classic cover originally sung by The Lady Lifers of SCI Muncy.

“Daughters” documentary about four girls with incarcerated fathers is out now on Netflix

By JLUSA

August 14, 2024

Learn more about the new Daughters documentary that took eight years to make—available now on Netflix!

JustLeadershipUSA Announces Chicago Beyond Grant Recipients for Directly Impacted People to Enact Change Within the Criminal Justice System

By JLUSA

JLUSA is excited to announce the recipients of grants from Chicago Beyond for The Chicagoland Community Leadership Development Investment Program.

“Sing Sing” costume designer Desira Pesta on “trauma-informed“ filmmaking

By JLUSA

August 9, 2024

Desira Pesta crafted Sing Sing’s costumes on a budget, not only for practical reasons, but also as a sort of “method” design.

Kamala Harris sat down with us as a presidential candidate in 2019 — here’s what she said about criminal justice reform

By JLUSA

August 8, 2024

Five years ago, JLUSA was involved in the planning and production of the “Justice Votes 2020 Town Hall,” featuring Kamala Harris. Watch video!

Jennifer Toon discusses lawsuit to force Texas to put air conditioning in all state prisons

By JLUSA

August 5, 2024

A federal judge in Austin is heard a lawsuit last week that aims to force Texas to put air conditioning in all state prisons.