#JusticeInJersey

Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi is a public intellectual whose social science research and community connections inform policy-makers, educators, and everyday people on issues of race, religion, and immigration, and social justice in 21st century America. She is the author and editor of multiple books, as well as articles in the peer-reviewed and popular press. Some of her publications include   Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, 3rd edition (Routledge, 2016)  and New Roots in America's Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America (Rutgers University Press, 2006), Asian Americans in Dixie: Race and Migration in the South (University of Illinois Press, 2013); Understanding Religious Oppression and Christian Privilege (Sense Publishers, 2008).  In addition to numerous presentations to U.S. academic conferences, Dr. Joshi has been invited to present her research on Hindu communities at the White House; to advise policy-makers at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, on the racialization of religion as it relates to the development of policies to prevent and combat hate crimes; and to address academic faculty and popular audiences in India on the experiences of the Indian Diaspora. She was a consultant for the Pew Research Forum's groundbreaking survey on Asian Americans and Religion. She is currently finishing a book project on race and religion in America to be published by NYU Press. She is a Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi is a public intellectual whose social science research and community connections inform policy-makers, educators, and everyday people on issues of race, religion, and immigration, and social justice in 21st century America. She is the author and editor of multiple books, as well as articles in the peer-reviewed and popular press. Some of her publications include   Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, 3rd edition (Routledge, 2016)  and New Roots in America's Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America (Rutgers University Press, 2006), Asian Americans in Dixie: Race and Migration in the South (University of Illinois Press, 2013); Understanding Religious Oppression and Christian Privilege (Sense Publishers, 2008).  In addition to numerous presentations to U.S. academic conferences, Dr. Joshi has been invited to present her research on Hindu communities at the White House; to advise policy-makers at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, on the racialization of religion as it relates to the development of policies to prevent and combat hate crimes; and to address academic faculty and popular audiences in India on the experiences of the Indian Diaspora. She was a consultant for the Pew Research Forum's groundbreaking survey on Asian Americans and Religion. She is currently finishing a book project on race and religion in America to be published by NYU Press. She is a Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Episode Five features immigration attorney Yolanda Garcia-Balicki.  Yolanda is an associate attorney with Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P. A. in the firm's Bridgeton and Vineland offices. She is fluent in Spanish and English and represents immigrants in pursuit of lawful permanent residence and citizenship in the United States. She also works in matters involving family petitions, asylum, withholding of removal, adjustment of status, and consular processing for immigrants in removal proceedings in Immigration Court. She also represents parolees before the NJ State Parole Board in matters concerning parole revocation.

Prior to joining Helmer, Conley, & Kasselman, P. A., Yolanda was employed with the NJ State Parole Board for 33 years. After graduation from law school she served in many positions from entry level positions as a Hearing Officer to a Governor's appointment as Deputy Executive Director. As an advocate of fairness and equality she would volunteer to serve as the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer for several years in addition to her own work responsibilities.  Because of her legal skills and her commitment to fairness, Ms. Garcia Balicki was also assigned the most complex hearings from parole hearings to departmental level employee disciplinary hearings. She also assisted the Agency in matters litigated in the Office of Administrative Law as well as matters referred to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations.

Ms. Garcia Balicki was recently sworn in as the 2nd Vice President of the Gloucester County NAACP, and is a member of the Cumberland County College Board of Trustees, a member of the NJ State Bar Association, the Cumberland County and Gloucester County Bar Associations as well as the Cumberland County College Hispanic Advisory Board.  Ms. Garcia Balicki earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1990 from Rutgers Law School-Camden and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in 1982. She is admitted to the bar of New Jersey, the Third Circuit District Court, and the Federal Immigration Court.

Dianna Houenou of the ACLU-NJ joins us again for Episode Three where we discuss the legalization of cannabis in greater depth (now that we've debunked some of the myths that have been peddled for decades!)  Subscribe to #JusticeInJersey to get the lowdown as New Jersey is on the precipice of legalization.

Episode Two features Dianna Houenou.  Dianna serves as Policy Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU.) In this role, she has been a leading voice on racial and social justice issues with respect to cannabis legalization in New Jersey, and has been one of a few advocates to consistently push for legislation that addresses the harms of prohibition. She also coordinates the New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform coalition and analyzes legal and policy issues for several ACLU-NJ advocacy campaigns. Her work largely focuses on issues related to criminal justice reform, police reform, and immigrants' rights. Her influence can be seen on a variety of measures that have gained traction in the Legislature, including independent prosecutors after police-involved deaths, championed by Senate President Steve Sweeney; restoration of voting rights for people with criminal convictions, sponsored by Senator Rice, and financial aid eligibility for undocumented students, which was signed into law in May.  Download Episode Two to hear a discussion with Dianna where we debunk some of the myths surrounding cannabis which, unfortunately, have been perpetuated for decades.

Episode One features the esteemed faith leader and activist, Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer. Rev. Boyer is an outspoken faith leader calling for the abolition of the War on Drugs, mass incarceration, school segregation and youth detention centers. Most recently, he has joined the coalition of leaders who've created the "94% campaign." Ninety-four percent of black voters cast their ballots for Governor Phil Murphy in 2017. But nine+ months into his administration, black leaders feel that Governor Murphy has not focused enough on critical issues facing the 94%.

Listen to Episode One to hear about the 94% Campaign, their efforts to connect with Governor Phil Murphy and their plans to "hold his feet to the fire," and the upcoming "Rally for the 94%" scheduled for Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at 231-251 Seymour Avenue in Newark, NJ at 12 noon. The Reverend calls on each of us to speak truth to power and to lift up poor, underserved and traditionally oppressed communities.

For more information: https://atnj.org/justice-in-jersey/