She was always interested and engaged in politics and fundraising, but her personal experience with the criminal justice system is what put her on the path that she is on now, helping others like her participate in advocacy around reform. ⁠Simone Price⁠ joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

For 35 years, she has provided housing and other direct and supportive services to those reintegrating into society upon release from incarceration. Well before criminal justice was a “sexy” topic, she spoke up against injustices in the depths of South Mississippi. Pauline Rogers joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

After 23 years incarcerated, he took the skill he learned while in prison and started a Braille transcription business as an entrepreneur. He is also a pioneer as the first justice-impacted Forensic Peer Mentor Trainer and Liaison in the state of Georgia. Ladji Ruffin joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

After four times in prison, she went to the sober living facility for women that she is currently the director of now. As a directly impacted speaker for the Mississippi Poor People’s Campaign is where she found her voice. Emilee Shell (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

He spent 22 years in prison, living every year like it might be his last. He got released when he was 47, and he’s found a new purpose as a criminal justice reformer in Muskegan, Michigan. Terry Johnson joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

She was facing 48 years, and miraculously only served three years behind bars. She now serves as a triple state commissioner in Colorado, working on criminal justice reform. Candice Bailey (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

He went to prison for the first time at age 18. Beto O’Rourke gave him his first chance to do communications work, and he’s gone on to work in D.C., on drug policy, and now as director of communications for the nation’s largest reentry employment provider. Matt Sutton joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

She’s been recognized by the Little Rock NAACP for her community service, and now she’s setting her sights on a network of transitional “safe houses” across Arkansas for women returning home after incarceration. Ruby Welch (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

He’s been recognized as a grassroots leader in the Louisville, Kentucky, community, and he’s making a huge impact statewide. Savvy Shabazz (Leading with Conviction™ 2023) joins the JustUs Speaks Podcast!

This special episode is part two of a livestream event that was recorded in February in honor of Black History Month with leaders who are making history now through their work to dismantle the legacy of Jim Crow.
JLUSA President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins hosts a conversation with guests — Jay Jordan, CEO of Alliance for Safety and Justice and co-founder and National Director of #TimeDone; Kesha Hamilton, co-founder and co-chair of Racing 4 Equity; and Kyle D. Bacon, criminal legal reform activist and JustUS Coordinating Council steering committee member — on how they’re making history now as directly impacted leaders working to dismantle racist and oppressive systems.