AGENDA
JUNE 9-12, 2025
DAY ONE / JUNE 9 /
DAY ONE / JUNE 9 /
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Location:
CCP - LOBBY | Bonnell Building
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Location: CCP - CAFETERIA in the Pavillion (next to Athletic Center)
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Location: CCP - Gym | Athletic Building
Start the week with a welcome from the JustUs team and opening remarks on the goals of the conference. -
Location: CCP - Gym | Athletic Building
Speaker: Deanna Hoskins frm JLUSA
A powerful keynote on justice, leadership, and liberation by one of the nation’s leading voices in criminal justice reform.
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Session 1: The True Cost of Misinformation
Location: CCP - Bonnell | AUDITIORIUM
Description: This panel explores how misinformation fuels fear-based justice policies, especially harming marginalized communities. It will examine impacts on parole, sentencing, reentry, and community safety. Experts will propose truth-based storytelling and media accountability to promote fairer outcomes.MODERATOR
Jeneé Osterheldt
SPEAKERS
Nazgol Ghandnoosh
Insha Rahman
Shawn Mooring
Kameron Middlebrooks
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Session 2: Fruits of Labor – Pathways from Prison to Prosperity
Location: CCP | S2-03 | Winnett Building
Description: This panel highlights employment as key to successful reentry for justice-impacted individuals. It explores how unions, employers, and workforce programs support second-chance hiring and training. The discussion will focus on scalable labor solutions that drive reform and community strength.Speakers:
Maha Jweied
Candis Tall
Kevin Scott
Sam Staten Jr.
Henry Dillard
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Session 3: Hidden in Plain Sight – AAPI & Native Reentry
Location: CCP - GREAT HALL | Winnett Building
Description: Formerly incarcerated AAPI and Native individuals often face unique reentry barriers, yet their struggles remain overlooked. This panel will examine cultural stigma, deportation threats, and systemic barriers, while exploring policy reforms and community-driven solutions.Moderator:
Carmen Perez
Speakers:
Jon Bae
Eddy Zheng
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Session 4: Forgotten & Overlooked – Women’s Reentry
Location: CCP - Bonnell | AUDITIORIUM
Description: Women face unique barriers after incarceration, from family reunification and childcare to housing and healthcare. This panel explores the urgent need for gender-responsive solutions, highlighting policy reforms and community-driven efforts.Moderator:
Angie Martinez
Speakers:
Cheryl Wilkins
Pamela Winn
Celia Colon
Lauren Johnson
Rev. Michelle Simmons
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Session 5: Felons to Founders – Building Legacies Beyond the System
Location: CCP - S2-03 | Winnett Building
Description: Panelists will share how they turned adversity into opportunity—building businesses that empower communities and create economic impact. This session explores the power of ownership and how entrepreneurship fosters second chances and lasting change.Moderator:
Khia Naylor
Speakers:
Coss Marte
Topeka Sam
Dieter Cantu
*Blacc Sam - Virtual
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Session 6: Beyond Bars – Higher Education in Prison
Location: CCP - GREAT HALL | Winnett Building
Description: Education is a proven tool for reducing recidivism and creating opportunities. This panel explores prison education access, barriers, and policy reforms to promote equitable learning behind bars.Moderator:
Andre Ward
Speakers:
Dr. Derrick Perkins
Sean Pica
Patrick Conway
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Session 7: Pardons & Redemptions – Mercy or a Right?
Location: CCP - AUDITORIUM | Bonnell Building
Description: This panel explores whether pardons should remain discretionary or become a systematic path to reintegration. It brings together legal experts, justice-impacted individuals, and policymakers to reframe clemency as a right.Moderator:
Brandon Flood
Speakers:
Kemba Smith
Kwame Kilpatrick
Judy Clark
Dominic Dupont
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Session 8: Invisible Chains – Criminalizing Immigration
Location: CCP - GREAT HALL | Winnett Building
Description: This conversation explores the harmful narratives driving immigration policy and its overlap with mass incarceration. Panelists will examine how enforcement policies disproportionately target communities of color.Moderator:
Anuj Gupta
Speakers:
Rena Karefa-Johnson
Bianca Tylek
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Location: GYM | Athletic Building
A powerful reflection on the day’s discussions and the future of justice reform.Speaker: Marvin Bing
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Location: CCP - Gym | Athletic Building
A gripping live debate between two extraordinary teams exploring topics at the intersection of justice, policy, and public perception.
Moderator:
David Register
Debaters
Bard Prison Initiative
Chris Wynn
Patrick Stephens
Michael Capers
La-Meik Taylor
Binghamton University
Liam Nyberg
Ashley King
Nina Patel
DAY TWO / JUNE 10 /
DAY TWO / JUNE 10 /
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Location: CCP - LOBBY | Bonnell Building
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Location: CCP - CAFETERIA in the Pavillion (next to Athletic Center)
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Location: GYM | Athletic Building
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Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
Speaker: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
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Session 1: Prosecuting for Justice – Redefining the Role of 21st-Century Prosecutors
Location: GYM | Athletic Building
Description: This panel spotlights reform-minded prosecutors working to replace “tough-on-crime” policies with fair, data-driven approaches. Topics include ending cash bail, advancing sentencing reform, and promoting public safety through accountability. Legal experts and advocates will explore pathways to a more just system.Moderator:
Jamarr Brown
Speakers:
Daryl Atkinson
Saleem Holbrook
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Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - INDEPENDENCE AB | Mezzanine
Description: An intensive bootcamp providing hands-on training, frameworks, and tools to address the gun violence epidemic. Led by survivors, grassroots leaders, and policy experts, each session will explore effective approaches to prevention, community healing, policy reform, and coalition building. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies and deeper cross-sector relationships to continue the work beyond the conference.
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Session 2: Bail Reform – Balancing Justice, Equity, and Public Safety
Location: CCP - GREAT HALL | Winnett Building
Description: Bail reform is a critical issue, with nearly 500,000 people held in pretrial detention each year simply because they cannot afford bail. This panel will bring together lawmakers, justice-impacted individuals, and policy experts to explore the impact of pretrial detention, challenges in reform, and data-driven solutions that balance fairness and public safety.Moderator:
Rebecca Brown
Speakers:
Nicholas Buckingham
Erin George
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Session 3: Beyond Punishment – Reforming Probation and Parole
Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
Description: This panel explores how probation and parole have shifted from alternatives to incarceration to drivers of mass supervision and punishment. Panelists will discuss the social and financial toll, especially on marginalized communities. Stories and solutions will center on reform, rehabilitation, and safety.Moderator:
John Thompson
Speakers:
Reuben Jones
Desmond McKinson
Kier Grey
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Session 4: Justice by Design – AI, Technology & the Future of Criminal Justice Reform
Location: Great Hall
Description: As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies rapidly reshape society, the criminal justice system stands at a critical crossroads. This forward-thinking panel explores how AI can both challenge and revolutionize traditional systems of justice. From risk assessment tools to predictive policing, sentencing algorithms to surveillance technology—experts will examine the promises and perils of integrating AI in ways that promote equity rather than exacerbate injustice.
Speakers:Jesse Rothman
Julian Adler
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Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - INDEPENDENCE AB | Mezzanine
Description: A bootcamp providing hands-on training, frameworks, and tools to address the gun violence epidemic. Led by survivors, grassroots leaders, and policy experts, each session will explore effective approaches to prevention, community healing, policy reform, and coalition building. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies and deeper cross-sector relationships to continue the work beyond the conference.
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Session 5: Exoneration in America – Justice Delayed, or Justice Denied
Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
Description: This panel examines the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions, from flawed forensics to prosecutorial misconduct. With over 3,300 exonerations since 1989, the need for reform is urgent. Panelists will discuss accountability, better standards, and fair compensation.Moderator:
Christina Swarns
Speakers:
Sabrina Butler-Smith
Sean K. Ellis, exoneree
Derrick Hamilton, exoneree
Yusef Salaam
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Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
Description: This forum is designed to center the voices and experiences of justice-impacted individuals in the ongoing conversation about democracy and civic engagement, and political representation. By addressing the systemic barriers that limit political participation and exploring pathways to empowerment, this forum seeks to inspire actionable change. Through panel discussions, personal testimonies, and interactive dialogue, participants will engage with key topics such as voting rights, democracy, and the power of collective advocacy.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Doors Open + Cocktail Hour Experience
Welcome Address & Greetings6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Conversation 1: Politics UnchartedDescription: For millions, a criminal record is a lifelong barrier to jobs, housing, and voting—yet the 47th U.S. president was elected despite having one. This panel will bring together formerly incarcerated legislators, policy experts, and nonprofit leaders to examine public perception, policy reform, and pathways to fair reintegration for all.
Moderator: Ceasar L McDowell
Panelists: Cherie Cruz
R. Seth Williams
Senator Keturah Herron
Tarra Simmons
Tiawana Brown
Bethany Hallam
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Conversation 2: The Future of DemocracyDescription: In 48 U.S. states, people in prison lose their right to vote, often permanently— raising questions about fairness and democracy. This panel will bring together voting rights advocates, legal experts, and justice-impacted individuals to explore the impact of disenfranchisement, policy reforms, and the future of voting rights for incarcerated citizens.
Moderator:
Leigh Owens
Panelists:
Jovan Jackson
Omar Sabir
Desmond Meade
Sammy Perez
Norris Henderson
DAY THREE / JUNE 11 /
DAY THREE / JUNE 11 /
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Location: CCP - LOBBY | Bonnell Building
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Location: CCP - CAFETERIA in the Pavillion (next to Athletic Center)
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Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
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Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
Speaker:
Assata Thomas, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Office of Reentry Partnerships
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Session 1: Feeding the People – How Food, Second Chances, and Community Transform Lives
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - INDEPENDENCE AB | Mezzanine
Description: Food is more than nourishment—it’s a path to opportunity. This panel will explore how the restaurant industry creates second chances for formerly incarcerated individuals through fair wages, mentorship, and skill-building. Culinary leaders will share how food-based businesses drive justice reform, economic empowerment, and community transformation.Moderator:
Kalilah Moon
Speakers:
Muhammad Abdul-Hadi
Roy Waterman
Keith Corbin
Melvin Parson
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Session 2: The Price of Justice – How Fines and Fees Trap People in a Cycle of Debt
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - INDEPENDANCE CD |Mezzanine
Description: For many, financial penalties extend beyond incarceration—court fines and fees create lasting economic hardship, disproportionately affecting low-income communities. This panel will examine how these costs fuel poverty and recidivism and explore policy reforms and solutions that promote economic justice and successful reentry.Moderator:
Keisha Hudson
Speakers:
Tarrah Callahan
Zach Ruppel
LaTanya Pierce
Michael Butler
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Session 3: From Lived Experience to Leadership – Justice-Impacted Voices in Gun Violence Prevention
Location: SHERATON PHILADELPHIA | Mezzanine
Description: This panel highlights justice-impacted leaders using their lived experience to combat gun violence and build safer communities. Panelists will discuss grassroots efforts, advocacy, and community-led solutions. The conversation centers on healing, trust, and lasting change.Moderator
Courtney Scott
Speakers:
Terun Moore
Timmeka Perkins
Darrell Redmond
Dr. Chico Tillmon
Rickey Duncan
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Session 4: Reframing Justice – Storytelling and Creativity to Transform Narratives on Justice and Reform
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - INDEPENDENCE AB | Mezzanine
Description: This panel highlights how justice-impacted artists and storytellers use creativity to challenge stigma and push for reform. Panelists will explore storytelling as a powerful tool for advocacy, healing, and systemic change.Moderator:
Louis L. Reed
Speakers:
Piper Kerman
Clarence Maclin
Daniel Forkkio
Lemon Andersen
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Session 5: Beyond the Blaze – From Prison to the Frontlines
Location:SHERATON DOWNTOWN - PHILADELPHIA | Mezzanine
Description: This panel highlights the essential role of incarcerated firefighters and the dangerous conditions they face with little pay or protection. Panelists will discuss health risks, safety measures, and the need for fair treatment. The conversation will also focus on breaking barriers to post-release careers in firefighting and creating long-term opportunities.Moderator:
Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole
Speakers:
Royal Ramey
Sam Lewis
Heile Gantan-Keo
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Session 6: Unlikely Allies (JLUSA), National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) and One Voice United (OVU)
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - PHILADELPHIA | Mezzanine
Description: This thought-provoking panel brings together a diverse group of leaders from a victims' advocate organization, an organization led by formerly incarcerated people, and a corrections officers’ organization. The panelists share their efforts to collaborate on issues of criminal justice reform and to foster a holistic understanding of justice. The panel will emphasize the importance of collaboration among non-traditional groups to create comprehensive solutions to criminal justice reform. By bridging gaps in understanding and fostering mutual dialogue, the panelists aim to identify pathways for reform that prioritize empathy, justice, and public safety.Moderator
Ronald Simpson-Bey
Speakers
Renee Williams
Ronald Simpson-Bey
Andy Potter
DAY FOUR / JUNE 12
DAY FOUR / JUNE 12
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Location: Community College of Philadelphia
Description: A dynamic block of programming focused on bold ideas, cross-sector collaboration, and real solutions to transform the justice system from the ground up. Sessions will explore policy, culture, community organizing, and systems change.8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast and Networking
Location: Bonnell Building Lobby & Auditorium9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Location: CCP - Auditorium (Bonnell)
Speakers: Atif Bostic, Mayor Parker (TBD)9:20 AM – 9:45 AM
Transition and Breakfast Buffet9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Women in Reentry
Location: Winnet Building – S2-03
Speakers: Assata Thomas, Keir Bradford Grey, Rev. Michelle Simmons, Taylor Pachecho9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Creating Safe Spaces at the Ground Level – A Community Perspective
Location: Winnett Building - Great Hall
Speakers: Ameen Akbar, Mel Wells, Anton Moore, Shondell Revell, Adam Geer10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Morning Plenary: Forging Your Own Path
Location: Bonnell Building Auditorium
Speakers: Atif Bostic, Rickey Duncan, P. Michael Boone, David Buck, Kurt Evans12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
The Intersection of Immigration and Criminal Justice
Location: Winnet Building – S2-03
Speakers: Will Carter, Anuj Gupta, Jannette Diaz12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
The Need for Reform
Location: Winnett Building - Great Hall
Speakers: Arun Prabhakaran, Eric Van Zant, R. Seth Williams1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
Transition to Auditorium & Stretch Break1:50 PM – 2:30 PM
Afternoon Plenary: Navigating Uncertainty in Government Funding
Location: Bonnell Building - Auditorium
Speakers: Atif Bostic, Chairman Jordan Harris, Senator Sharif Street, Senator Vincent Hughes, Speaker Joanna McClinton2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Transforming Justice - Closing Remarks
Location: Bonnell Building - Auditorium
Speakers: Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Atif Bostic -
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN: Horizon Rooftop Ballroom
Join us for an intimate and powerful breakfast townhall conversation centering Black men and the critical issues of safety, and justice. As part of JustUs Ideas Week, this gathering will bring together community leaders from across the country, justice-impacted individuals, policymakers, and advocates for a candid discussion on reimagining safety, addressing systemic injustices, and building pathways to justice that truly serve Black communities.
Through storytelling, shared experiences, and solution-driven dialogue, this breakfast will create space for honest conversations about the challenges Black men face—whether through the criminal legal system, community violence, or barriers to opportunity. Together, we will explore strategies for advocacy, community-led safety initiatives, and policy reforms that uplift and protect Black men while strengthening our collective power. Come for the conversation, stay for the connections, and leave with inspiration and actionable insights to drive change.
Hosted By:
Robert Rooks
John Taylor (BMI)
Mike Scott
Speakers:
Beanie Sigel
Maino
Marlo Stanfield
Prince Miller
Abdul Haqq (Big Durk)
Kevin "Amir" Bowman (OG Black)
Akbar Pray
Lamont Tory
Special Guest:
Clarence Maclin
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Her Blueprint: Designing Justice Through Her Lens – Women's Luncheon
Location: SHERATON DOWNTOWN - Horizon Rooftop BallroomJustice doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s designed, built, and led by those with the courage to imagine something different. Her Blueprint is a powerful luncheon gathering that centers the voices, experiences, and brilliance of women who have been directly impacted by the justice system. This event will uplift the leadership, care strategies, and creative innovations of justice-impacted women across sectors—from grassroots organizing to policy, entrepreneurship, healing, and the arts. Through intentional dialogue, connection, and celebration, we’ll explore how women are shaping justice through their own blueprints: rooted in community, driven by vision, and guided by lived experience.
Hosted By:
Angela Yee
Brea Baker
Assata Thomas
Opening: Brittany Jones-Minor (poem reading)
Remarks:
Sydia Bagley - Locked Down Love
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal
Tonie Willis - Ardella's House
Brittany Jones-Minor - Empowered Women Fitness & Wellness Center
Mersadies S. Bonilla
Intro to Keynote: Miquelle West
Keynote Speaker: Michelle West
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Location: CCP - GYM | Athletic Building
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Opening RemarksKeynote Speaker: Nick Turner
A final keynote to close out the conference with reflection, gratitude, and a forward-looking call to action.Speaker:
Nick Turner