Onward Blog

Mark Rice says it’s time to close prisons in Wisconsin and reinvest funds to build communities

By JLUSA

July 5, 2024

Leading with Conviction™ 2017 graduate Mark Rice speaks about closing prisons and reinvesting resources to build people and communities.

4 Non Blondes singer Linda Perry on leading karaoke inside women’s prisons

By JLUSA

Linda Perry, the former lead singer of the band 4 Non Blondes, spoke recently about how she would go into women’s prisons and lead karaoke. Watch!

Chivas Watson joins protest at the Supreme Court in D.C. to oppose the death penalty

By JLUSA

July 3, 2024

For his second year in a row, Chivas Watson (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) joined an anti-death penalty protest at the Supreme Court. Watch!

Marcus Kelley joins calls for criminal justice reform in Michigan

By JLUSA

July 1, 2024

Marcus Kelley (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant) spoke recently at a Rally for Reform event in Michigan.

JustLeadershipUSA Speaks Out Against Grants Pass Decision for Persons Who are Unhoused

By JLUSA

June 28, 2024

Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that will have dire consequences for the basic notion that housing is a human right.

DeAnna Hoskins speaks to NPR’s “All Things Considered” about women in prisons and jails

By JLUSA

DeAnna Hoskins spoke recently with NPR’s All Things Considered about the disparate impact on women in prisons and jails. Listen now.

Keturah Herron celebrates Pride Month in Kentucky

By JLUSA

June 26, 2024

Kentucky state Rep. Keturah Herron (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) spoke to WHAS11 at a recent LGBTQ Pride Month event in Louisville.

New Associated Press Stylebook could “completely reform” how media covers criminal justice

By JLUSA

June 25, 2024

On May 29, the Associated Press released The Associated Press Stylebook, 57th Edition, which includes a new chapter on criminal justice.

Oswald Newbold on the correlation between men’s mental health and crime reduction

By JLUSA

June 24, 2024

Oswald Newbold (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant) writes for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Eric Weaver denied entry to the White House — again — this time for gun violence awareness event

By JLUSA

June 20, 2024

Eric Weaver (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) was denied entry to two White House events in the last six months.

This Juneteenth, Corporate America Must Take a Stand Against Prison Slavery

By JLUSA

June 19, 2024

We’re calling on all corporations to stop their use of prison labor. Tell your favorite brands to get on board!

Lester Young on gun violence in South Carolina

By JLUSA

June 18, 2024

Lester Young (JLUSA Senior Movement and Capacity Building Specialist) says teen violence has been a longstanding problem.