Onward Blog

DeAnna Hoskins in the New York Times: “It’s important for other formerly incarcerated people to see themselves in [elected office]”

By JLUSA

May 6, 2024

DeAnna Hoskins, JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO, was interviewed by the New York Times for this story. Get free gift link to read!

Teresa Hodge and Louis L. Reed launch new podcasts

By JLUSA

Leading with Conviction™ graduates Teresa Hodge (2015) and Louis L. Reed (2017) both recently launched new podcasts. Check them out!

Jelly Roll opens music studio inside Nashville youth detention facility where he was once incarcerated

By JLUSA

May 3, 2024

Country music artist Jelly Roll recently helped open a music studio inside the Nashville Juvenile Detention Center.

Tracey Syphax’s inspirational story for 400,000 Philadelphians living with criminal records

By JLUSA

May 2, 2024

Axios Philadelphia recently profiled Tracey Syphax (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) and shared his inspirational story.

Ashley Furst on reducing recidivism in Colorado

By JLUSA

May 1, 2024

Ashley Furst (LwC 2024 participant) says continued contact their reentry specialists provide helps keep participants from returning to prison.

JustLeadershipUSA Continues to Urge Biden Administration to Deschedule Rather Than Reschedule Marijuana

By JLUSA

April 30, 2024

Today, the DEA announced that it will send a proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget to reschedule marijuana.

Philip Cooper celebrates the inaugural gala for Operation Gateway

By Stephen Knight

Last week, Philip Cooper (Leading with Conviction™ 2022) celebrated the inaugural fundraising gala for his organization Operation Gateway.

Melissa Ludin on advocating for second chances in Wisconsin

By Melissa Ludin

April 29, 2024

“Second chances don’t often support people categorized under violent offenses.”

Keeda Haynes responds to federal court decision on voting rights for people with felony convictions in Tennessee

By JLUSA

April 25, 2024

A federal judge affirmed that Tennessee election officials cannot deny voter registration to eligible Tennesseans who have past felony convictions.

Marcus Kelley on the existence of slavery in Michigan’s prison system

By JLUSA

April 24, 2024

Marcus Kelley (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant) writes for Riverwise Detroit about the exist of slavery in Michigan prisons.

Navigating the Paradox: Second Chance Month vs. Fair Chance Hiring

By Ashley Furst

April 23, 2024

Ashley Furst (Leading with Conviction™ 2024 participant) writes, “Individuals with lived experience … can help create solutions to these problems.”

Kristy Laschober on the JustUs Speaks Podcast

By JLUSA

April 22, 2024

He was sentenced to life without parole as a juvenile and spent 40 years behind bars. She stood by him and fought for his release for four decades.