Onward Blog

Celebrating Second Chance Month and Fair Chance Futures

By JLUSA

April 1, 2026

This April, JLUSA and the JCC are uplifting fair chances.

Justice & The Next 250: Parchman and the Freedom We Still Owe

By JLUSA

March 30, 2026

Pauline Rogers (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) writes, “Anniversaries are not just moments to celebrate. They are moments to take inventory.”

Reminders of Him delivers a humanizing portrait of those who have been victims of the criminal legal system

By JLUSA

March 27, 2026

Based on the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name, Reminders of Him shines a light on the obstacles formerly incarcerated people face.

Tarra Simmons and other formerly incarcerated women are “pushing systemic change in elected office”

By JLUSA

March 26, 2026

“[Tarra] Simmons [Leading with Conviction™ 2018] is among a handful of formerly incarcerated women elected to public office.”

Ashley Furst on the JustUs Speaks Podcast

By JLUSA

March 25, 2026

Ashley Furst⁠ (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) grew up believing people who were incarcerated were “bad people.” That was until she went to prison.

Emilee Shell on addressing Mississippi’s addiction crisis

By JLUSA

March 23, 2026

Emilee Shell (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) says Mississippi could miss out on funding organizations run by people with decades of experience.

Paul Rothschild on the JustUs Speaks Podcast

By JLUSA

March 18, 2026

Paul Rothschild (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) on transferring skills from the corporate world to social justice work.

Donna Hylton on finding light, hope, and meaning when life delivers its hardest “no”

By JLUSA

March 16, 2026

Dr. Donna Hylton shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, healing, and transformation, offering wisdom for anyone navigating darkness.

From Second Chances to Fair Chances

March 12, 2026

At JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA), we believe it is time to expand the conversation.

JLUSA leaders speak to A&E Investigates about formerly incarcerated people running for public office

By JLUSA

March 11, 2026

DeAnna Hoskins, Marlon Chamberlain, Tarra Simmons, and Keturah Herron are all included in a new article from A&E Investigates.

Kemba Smith’s story is an example of how Women’s History Month often forgets how Black women are criminalized for the crimes of men

By JLUSA

March 9, 2026

“[Kemba] Smith’s story is not an anomaly. Across American history, Black women have borne the consequences of policies and practices …”

Launching #SecondChancesInAction for 2026 — announcing partnership with In Their Hands documentary airing on PBS stations in April

By JLUSA

March 6, 2026

We announced a new partnership with the producers of the award-winning documentary In Their Hands airing on ~100 PBS stations in April.