Onward Blog

JustUS Coordinating Council meets with federal departmental offices in Washington, D.C.

By JLUSA

July 24, 2023

JustUS Coordinating Council meets with federal departmental offices in Washington, D.C.

“Oppenheimer” star Robert Downey Jr. opens up about his time in prison

By JLUSA

July 22, 2023

Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about his year in prison — and why it was the “worst thing” that ever happened to him.

Lets Talk “Nepo-Babies” in Social Justice/Impact Spaces

By Jamira Burley

July 13, 2023

JLUSA leader Jamira Burley speaks about prioritizing the voices and experiences of those most affected by systemic injustices.

I asked people with conviction histories about barriers to employment. Here’s what they told me.

By Susan Mason

July 12, 2023

Jobs are not going to go to the largest and most diverse talent pool in this nation—the 79 million people with a record. We have solutions.

JLUSA leader Dant’e Cottingham and President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins speak about second-chance hiring

By JLUSA

July 6, 2023

JLUSA leader Dant’e Cottingham and President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins speak about second-chance hiring

JLUSA leader Tim Lanier helps conduct a reentry simulation in Alabama

By JLUSA

July 3, 2023

Tim Lanier [Leading With Conviction™ 2022 graduate] helps lead a reentry simulation in Birmingham, Alabama.

JLUSA leader Maggie Luna on “being cooked alive” in Texas prisons

By JLUSA

June 30, 2023

Maggie Luna [Leading With Conviction™ 2021 graduate] speaks with KXAN about horrifying conditions inside non-air conditioned Texas prisons.

JLUSA leader Rep. Keturah Herron on how state legislatures can address the school-to-prison pipeline

By JLUSA

Kentucky State Rep. Keturah Herron [Leading With Conviction™ 2019 graduate] joins Rattling the Bars to discuss the school-to-prison pipeline.

JLUSA leaders’ work guides inaugural Holistic Safety Action Alliance

By JLUSA

June 29, 2023

Chicago Beyond has announced the inaugural Holistic Safety Action Alliance (HSAA), a first-of-its-kind, multi-state coalition.

It’s “Abolition Week” at Scalawag Magazine!

By JLUSA

June 19, 2023

This is Scalawag Magazine’s fourth annual “Abolition Week,” June 19-23. Learn more.

JLUSA leader Tarra Simmons first among five formerly incarcerated elected to state legislatures since 2021

By JLUSA

June 16, 2023

Since 2021, a string of people have been elected to state legislatures who openly discuss their histories with the criminal justice system.

“Slutty Vegan” founder credits her formerly incarcerated father for her entrepreneurial hustle

By JLUSA

June 13, 2023

Aisha “Pinky” Cole, owner and operator of the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain, was profiled recently in The New Yorker.