JustUs Ideas Week Feature Events
Her Blueprint: Designing Justice Through Her Lens Women’s Bruncheon (invite only)
Justice 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
Mersadies S. Bonilla
Brittany Jones-Minor - Empowered Women Fitness & Wellness Center
Majeedah Rashid - Nicetown CDC
Intro to Keynote: Miquelle West
Keynote Speaker: Michelle West
Black Men; Safety & Justice: A Breakfast Conversation (Invite Only)
Join us for an intimate and powerful breakfast 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.
Reclaiming Our Voices: A Forum on Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Political Representation for Justice Impacted Individuals
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.
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 & Greetings
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Conversation 1: Politics Uncharted
Description: 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 Democracy
Description: 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
Debate: Bard College Prison Initiative vs Binghamton University
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