Onward Blog

We are people who were caught up in the system and made it out, and now we get to be the voice for other people.

By Alaina Combs, #LwC2019

March 6, 2019

I can’t talk about Leading with Conviction without crying because I’m just so grateful to be a part of this cohort.

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.

Image for post titled You’re Born with Either a Fight or Flight Response, And Luckily I was Born with the Fight Response. I’ve Been Fighting Since I was a Child.

You’re Born with Either a Fight or Flight Response, And Luckily I was Born with the Fight Response. I’ve Been Fighting Since I was a Child.

By James Monteiro, #LwC2018

November 19, 2018

The best thing I got from Leading with Conviction is I’m never alone. There’s always someone I can reach out to across the country.

What’s at the top of my agenda now is my role as the new criminal justice columnist with ‘Creators Syndicate.’

By Chandra Bozelko

I’ve carved out an area in thought leadership, so my advocacy comes in challenging assumptions.

Everybody I Know and Loved is in a Cage and I’m Never Going to Be Okay With That

By Ryan Lo, #LwC2018

October 19, 2018

That’s what we’re trying to do--use media to shift culture.

I still feel a sense of amazement when I look at where I am today.

By Seán Dalpiaz, #LwC2018

October 1, 2018

The Leading with Conviction training is excellent, and the coaching I received from David was pivotal...

Image for post titled You’re born either with a fight or flight response, and luckily I was born with the fight response. I’ve been fighting since I was a child.

You’re born either with a fight or flight response, and luckily I was born with the fight response. I’ve been fighting since I was a child.

By Kandra Clark, #LwC2018

For me, Leading with Conviction has been life-changing.

I’ve been out of prison for fifteen years, but I have been reconvicted over and over again because of my criminal record.

By Susan Mason, #LwC2018

September 20, 2018

Over those years I received multiple job offers, but as soon as the employers did a background check, the offers were rescinded, one by one.

I’m the founder and president of the National Workforce Opportunity Network.

By Jeffrey Abramowitz, #LwC2018

We are a fully integrated workforce development and career placement for-profit agency serving individuals with barriers to gainful employment.