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JustLeadershipUSA
@jlusa.org
690 followers 150 following 660 posts
Celebrating over 10 years of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders! #OurExperienceIsOurExpertise jlusa.org
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JustLeadershipUSA @jlusa.org · 14d
This Black History Month, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Black changemakers — past and present.

Support justice-impacted leaders who are writing the next chapter of history today.

👉 jlusa.org/donate

#BlackHistoryMonth #SecondChances #JusticeLeadership #JLUSAstrong
jlusa.org
Saad Soliman (Leading with Conviction™ 2019) talks about collaborating on “Courageous Conversations: #Israel & #Palestine” at UNC’s School of Civic Life & Leadership.

https://jlusa.org/2026/02/16/saad-soliman-on-having-courageous-conversations-and-building-a-just-world-beyond-blame-and-cancellation
Saad Soliman (Leading with Conviction™ 2019), center-right
February 16, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
“Those of us who have gone through … being in the prison system … have a unique way to be able to kind of push forward.” —Melissa Ludin (Leading with Conviction™ 2024)

Listen to the full interview: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/11/melissa-ludin-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast/

#Podcast #JustUsSpeaks
February 15, 2026 at 4:06 PM
jlusa.org
This #ValentinesDay, show your commitment to justice. Support JLUSA’s #leadership programs for #formerlyincarcerated individuals. Your gift empowers leaders to rebuild their lives, mentor others, and drive systemic reform. 💖

jlusa.org/donate

#JLUSAstrong
February 14, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
“Several former Black #NFL players are in the national spotlight after receiving presidential pardons from President Trump, a move that has reignited conversations about redemption, accountability and #secondchances in America.”

https://rollingout.com/2026/02/13/black-nfl-players-pardoned-by-trump/
Black NFL players pardoned by Trump in clemency move
Several former Black NFL players are back in the national spotlight after receiving presidential pardons from President Donald Trump, a move that has
rollingout.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:05 AM
jlusa.org
“[Gregory] Singleton, a formerly incarcerated voter, shared … why many justice-involved people still don’t realize they’re eligible to cast a ballot after completing their sentences.”

Watch now: https://cardinalpine.com/2026/02/12/north-carolina-voting-after-prison/

#NCpol #VotingRights #Democracy
Video: A North Carolina man talks about voting after prison
Cardinal & Pine spoke with Gregory Singleton, a formerly incarcerated resident of Rocky Mount, talks about voting after prison. NC law doesn't allow people convicted of a felony to vote until after they serve their time. 
cardinalpine.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:31 PM
jlusa.org
“Cooper, #formerlyincarcerated herself, views increased restrictions on who gets to vote, on both a state and federal level, as a ‘familiar playbook’ to disenfranchise Black Americans.”

Read more: marylandmatters.org/2026/02/11/a...

#VotingRights #Democracy #Maryland
Advocates say they have 'remedy' to protect voting rights in Maryland - Maryland Matters
Supporters of the package of bills known as the Maryland Voting Rights Act say time is running out to pass the measure that would graft federal protections onto state law -- as those federal protectio...
marylandmatters.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:16 PM
jlusa.org
“‘Senate Bill 168 is about respecting Kentuckians enough to let them decide this issue for themselves.’ Senators Keturah Herron [Leading with Conviction™ 2019] and Gerald Neal are co-sponsors on the bill.”

Read more: www.whas11.com/article/news...

#Kentucky #Marijuana #CannabisJustice
Kentucky senator files bills to reform marijuana laws
State Senator Gary Clemons said the bills aren't about encouraging marijuana use, but are about fairness and accountability.
www.whas11.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:34 PM
jlusa.org
Melissa Ludin (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) talks about balancing her work with the ACLU of Wisconsin and being a partner and a mother of four boys.

Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/11/melissa-ludin-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast

#Podcast #JustUsSpeaks #Wisconsin #ACLU
February 11, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
TW SA:

“Before it closed in April 2024, the federal prison was known as the ‘rape club’ for rampant sexual assault and retaliation against incarcerated women who spoke out. Prisoners also reported unsafe building conditions and medical neglect.”

Read more: wagingnonviolence.org/2026/02/figh...
The fight to keep ICE from reopening a notorious prison
Survivors of abuse at a shuttered federal prison known as “the rape club” are teaming up with local activists to keep ICE out of Northern California.
wagingnonviolence.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM
jlusa.org
What percentage of women who were or are currently incarcerated have been victims of domestic violence?

○ 15%
○ 35%
○ 55%
○ 75%

Take the quiz: jlusa.org/quiz

#Quiz #CriminalJusticeReform #IncarceratedWomen #WomenInPrison #DomesticViolence #SurvivorJusticeAct
February 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
jlusa.org
“Being justice-impacted [I know] there’s so many people in my community that aren’t seen as ‘citizens,’ b/c they don’t have the right to vote or … housing … jobs.” —Kyle Giddings (Leading with Conviction™ 2024)

Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/04/kyle-giddings-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast/
February 10, 2026 at 2:24 AM
jlusa.org
“For real, meaningful reform to be accomplished, #formerlyincarcerated women must be in the lead to create the dramatic change that needs to happen.” —Andrea James

Read more: https://umassmedia.com/40569/news/umass-boston-alum-andrea-james-runs-for-massachusetts-governor/

#Massachusetts
Andrea James, UMass Boston alum, campaigns for Massachusetts governor
UMass Boston alumna Andrea James is currently running as an independent candidate for Massachusetts governor in 2026. James, who graduated in 1992, has spent her years both on and off campus as an activist and leader. She and her family have been Massachusetts residents for seven generations, and she feels strongly about making Massachusetts affordable...
umassmedia.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:05 AM
jlusa.org
“[Remediation manager] Deml’s authority will supersede Richards’ … The relationship between the two will likely have a major impact on whether or not the reforms both desire actually take root.”

Read more: queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/8...

#CLOSErikers #BUIILDcommunities #NYC #StanleyRichards
Rikers’ ‘watershed moment’: New DOC commissioner on reform, safety, and the future of the city’s jails — Queens Daily Eagle
Stanley Richards, the new DOC commissioner, sat down with the Eagle to discuss the critical moment the city, the DOC and its jails are in, as well as his philosophical approach to leading the departme...
queenseagle.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:34 PM
jlusa.org
TW: “[Incarcerated people] across the country have died or been hospitalized due to hypothermia, sparking lawsuits, criminal charges and watchdog reports that raise concerns about how well jails and prisons respond to the cold.”

Read more @usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

#JustUs
When cold weather becomes a death sentence
Inmates across the country have died or been hospitalized due to hypothermia. Climate change is poised to make winter in prison even worse.
www.usatoday.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM
jlusa.org
Robyn Hasan-Simpson (Leading with Conviction™ 2022): “Here in #FultonCounty, too many people are sitting in jail on low-level, quality of life offenses that really reflect something deeper.”

Watch: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/06/robyn-hasan-simpson-on-overcrowding-in-the-fulton-county-jail-in-georgia
Robyn Hasan-Simpson (Leading with Conviction™ 2022)
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
“A new study shows outdated technology and fragmented recordkeeping systems routinely keep people locked up in prisons nationwide longer than they’re supposed to be – including in Illinois.”

Read more @wbez.org: www.wbez.org/public-safet...

#GoodTime #EarnedTime #Illinois
'No good time for you': The recordkeeping snafu keeping some Illinoisans in prison longer than they should be
A new study examining time credit laws allowing incarcerated people to earn time off prison sentences found that Illinois isn't alone. Outdated technology and fragmented recordkeeping systems routinel...
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:28 PM
jlusa.org
Formerly incarcerated leader Kariva Nicole talked recently about having her story included in the new book #JailbirdsInFlight by Nicole Daedone.

Read more: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/06/new-book-jailbirds-in-flight-shares-womens-stories-of-finding-freedom-while-inside-mdc-prison-in-new-york-city
Kariva Nicole on the Wait A Gam Minute Podcast talking about the new book “Jailbirds in Flight” by Nicole Daedone.
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
Stanley Richards leading NYC jails is a historic win. 📈

But media, listen up: dehumanizing headlines harm 70M+ system-impacted Americans. Words matter. Dignity is non-negotiable.

#Leadership #CriminalJusticeReform #WordsMatter #LanguageMatters #PersonFirst
February 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
jlusa.org
Kyle Giddings⁠ (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) says it was a conversation with another person while incarcerated that helped him realize his purpose.

Listen now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/04/kyle-giddings-on-the-justus-speaks-podcast

#Podcast #JustUsSpeaks #VoterDisenfranchisement #Colorado
February 4, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
“Allvin opened the doors to Brynmor Early Education & Preschool in October 2023, with capacity to serve up to 152 children. Today, the shuttered correctional facility is home to a thriving, high-quality early learning program.”

Read more: www.the74million.org/zero2eight/h...

#BUILDcommunities
How a Notorious Maximum-Security Prison Was Transformed into a Thriving Preschool
For nearly a century, the Lorton Reformatory was marked by trauma. Today, it’s home to an early learning program filled with ‘light and joy.’
www.the74million.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM
jlusa.org
Congratulations, Jelly Roll @jellyroll-615.bsky.social, on winning the 2026 GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Country Album!

#GRAMMYs #FormerlyIncarcerated #JusticeImpacted #CountryMusic
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 AM
jlusa.org
This Black History Month, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Black changemakers — past and present.

Support justice-impacted leaders who are writing the next chapter of history today.

👉 jlusa.org/donate

#BlackHistoryMonth #SecondChances #JusticeLeadership #JLUSAstrong
February 2, 2026 at 4:22 PM
jlusa.org
“Imagine a graph with two different lines, one line representing what Americans think is happening with crime, ticking up, up, up … and the other line showing what’s actually happening with crime, ticking down, down, down …”

Listen now: www.npr.org/2026/01/31/n...
Americans are worried about crime. Here’s how politicians leverage it : Code Switch
"Fighting crime" is often used as a justification for many of the Trump administration's policies — from mass deportations to its actions in Venezuela to its crackdown in Minnesota — despite the fact ...
www.npr.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:12 PM
jlusa.org
“One of the #WashingtonianoftheYear honorees, Yasmine Arrington Brooks [Leading with Conviction™ 2019], gave a moving acceptance speech as a call to action!”

Watch now: https://jlusa.org/2026/02/02/yasmine-arrington-brooks-accepts-her-award-as-a-washingtonian-of-the-year-for-2025
Yasmine Arrington Brooks (Leading with Conviction™ 2019), Founder and Executive Director of ScholarCHIPS, Inc. (For Children of Incarcerated Parents)
February 2, 2026 at 2:05 PM
jlusa.org
“Stanley [Richards] will make history in this role as the first ever #formerlyincarcerated person to serve as commissioner. That achievement is not merely symbolic.”

Read more at Gothamist: https://gothamist.com/news/mamdani-names-stanley-richards-as-jails-boss-to-steer-chaotic-rikers-complex
Mamdani names jails reformer Stanley Richards to steer chaotic Rikers complex
Exactly one month into his term, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a formerly incarcerated person to manage the facility.
gothamist.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:05 PM