Dear friend,

This year, we have made bold strides to set forth a new national vision to restore opportunity and justice for our communities that has been years in the making, informed by the voices of our national network of organizers, activists, and visionaries. 

This spring, we are hard at work to prepare for the historic launch of the JustUS Coordinating Council (JCC) in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 29. Join JLUSA and systems-impacted leaders from across the country to put our flag in the ground to say that we are no longer demanding a seat at the table but instead we are building OUR OWN table.

RSVP now for the public launch of this bold new initiative.

Learn more about the JCC and read our new report, which calls on the federal government to dedicate $10 billion to fully fund workforce development and reentry programs for systems-impacted individuals. 

We are also excited to invite you to our Ninth Annual Benefit Gala on June 5, our first in-person celebration reuniting our community of supporters, advocates, and leaders in over three years. Purchase your ticket now for an evening of powerful speakers and meaningful conversations to celebrate and empower the work of JLUSA and our growing network of alumni.

As we arrive at this pivotal moment in our work, we are full of gratitude for our community of supporters. Now, it is time to keep our collective foot on the gas pedal. We hope to see you on April 29 as we launch our groundbreaking new vision for the future, and that you will join us in this work by investing in JLUSA leaders to fully heal our communities, together.

Onward!

DeAnna Hoskins, President/CEO

This month we are celebrating our some of our 2023 Leading with Conviction cohort members, women who are overcoming odds and making their mark on history as they build lasting change for systems-impacted people, families, and communities.

This Women's History Month, invest in women who are taking action now to heal generations of communities harmed by mass incarceration. Learn more and make a donation to support JLUSA leaders who are making history now.

Leadership in Action

See more recent accomplishments by JLUSA leaders at our Onward Blog.

From serving life to serving a lifetime as a Ghanaian chief

Congratulations to former JLUSA staff member NaNa Kwesi Atomi I (a.k.a. Bobby Harris), who was recently enstooled as chief of the village of Moree, Ghana!

JLUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins says, “His determination, resilience, and commitment has been demonstrated in the five short years of freedom.” 

Atomi considers Hoskins to be his spiritual “mother” and invited her to travel to Ghana with him and his wife for the bestowment festival along with JLUSA 2015 Leading with Conviction graduate and JustUs Coordinating Council Steering Committee member Teresa Hodge.

Read more.

Fall 2023 admissions are open for the Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership!

Apply by April 14, 2023 for the Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership in Harlem!

The Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership is the nation’s first tuition-free college dedicated to advocacy, arts and sciences. This associate degree program is run by the Bard Prison Initiative in partnership with JLUSA and College and Community Fellowship. Learn more at microcollege.bard.edu/harlem.

Spread the word and apply now!

Emerging Leaders Milwaukee

On March 18, we were joined in Milwaukee by 42 leaders working to strengthen their organizing and advocacy skills over two days of trainings on policy, campaign building, leadership behaviors, and more. Below, hear from Emerging Leaders Milwaukee participant Jessica Jones on the impact of this month's training.