The programming for JustUs Ideas Week will feature conversations that foster impactful, actionable conversations through the lens of justice and the experiences of system-impacted individuals.
View a preview of some of the conversations below. Stay tuned over the upcoming weeks for a full agenda and speaker announcements.
JustUs Conversations Preview
Fruits of Labor
Building Pathways from Prison to Prosperity through Trade Unions and Employers
For justice-impacted individuals, stable employment is a cornerstone of successful reentry—yet many face significant barriers to securing meaningful work. Trade unions and forward-thinking employers play a crucial role in closing this gap by providing structured career pathways, fair wages, and long-term stability.
This panel brings together union leaders, employers, workforce development experts, and formerly incarcerated individuals to examine how apprenticeships, vocational training, and second-chance hiring can create sustainable career opportunities. Panelists will highlight proven models, policy initiatives, and industry partnerships that help justice-impacted individuals transition from economic insecurity to thriving careers in skilled trades and beyond.
By redefining the role of labor unions and employers in justice reform, we can transform second chances into lasting success—ensuring that employment serves as a bridge to opportunity rather than a barrier to reentry.
Across the United States, incarcerated individuals perform essential labor—often for as little as 86 cents per day. From manufacturing and agriculture to facility maintenance, their work sustains industries and institutions, yet they are excluded from basic labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A loophole in the Thirteenth Amendment, which permits involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime, has long enabled the exploitation of prison labor, raising serious ethical and economic concerns.
This panel will bring together legal scholars, activists, formerly incarcerated workers, and labor rights advocates to examine the historical roots of prison labor, its modern implications, and the ongoing fight for fair wages and protections. Panelists will explore how policy reforms, corporate accountability, and labor organizing can help build a more just system—one that upholds dignity, ensures fair compensation, and redefines the role of labor in the justice system.
Laboring for Pennies
Rethinking the Thirteenth Amendment and Fair Wages in Prison
Hidden in Plain Sight
The Reentry Experience for Formerly Incarcerated AAPI and Native Communities
The challenges of reentry are well-documented, yet the experiences of formerly incarcerated Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American individuals remain largely invisible in mainstream criminal justice reform discussions. Despite facing unique cultural stigmas, systemic barriers, and a lack of culturally specific support services, these communities are often overlooked in policy debates and reentry initiatives.
This panel brings together justice-impacted individuals, advocates, and community leaders to illuminate the distinct struggles and resilience of AAPI and Native populations during reentry. Panelists will examine the impact of deportation threats, cultural disconnection, the absence of targeted reentry programs, and the deep ties between colonialism and incarceration. The discussion will also highlight community-led solutions, policy reforms, and advocacy efforts designed to ensure these populations receive the resources, dignity, and opportunities they deserve as they rebuild their lives.
By breaking the silence and centering the voices of directly impacted individuals, this conversation aims to challenge assumptions, inform policy, and foster a more inclusive vision of justice reform.This panel will bring together legal scholars, activists, formerly incarcerated workers, and labor rights advocates to examine the historical roots of prison labor, its modern implications, and the ongoing fight for fair wages and protections. Panelists will explore how policy reforms, corporate accountability, and labor organizing can help build a more just system—one that upholds dignity, ensures fair compensation, and redefines the role of labor in the justice system.
Feeding the People
How Food, Second Chances, and Community Transform Lives
Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a powerful catalyst for community, healing, and opportunity. This inspiring conversation will explore how the restaurant industry can serve as a vehicle for second chances, economic empowerment, and justice reform.
Through their work, these culinary leaders have created life-changing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, demonstrating that fair wages, mentorship, and skill-building can break cycles of recidivism and foster long-term success. Panelists will share their personal journeys, discuss the challenges of reentry, and highlight how food-based businesses can be a model for social change.
The journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of breaking barriers. In this compelling conversation, panelists will share how they turned adversity into opportunity, building businesses that uplift communities and create lasting economic impact.
From streetwear and social enterprises to music and brand-building, these trailblazing entrepreneurs will discuss the challenges of reentry, the realities of navigating business as justice-impacted individuals, and the critical role of ownership and generational wealth. They’ll also explore how entrepreneurship can drive social change—creating jobs, mentorship opportunities, and economic mobility for others seeking a second chance.
Felons to Founders
Building Legacies Beyond the System
Politics Uncharted
The 47th President, Criminal Records, and the Fight for Political Representation
For millions of Americans, a criminal record serves as a lifelong barrier to opportunity—perpetuating stigma, disenfranchisement, and economic hardship. Yet, in a historic shift, the 47th President of the United States was elected despite having one. This paradox underscores the deep inequities in how society perceives and punishes justice-impacted individuals, particularly those without political power or wealth.
This panel brings together formerly incarcerated legislators, policy experts, and justice-impacted nonprofit leaders to examine the urgent need for policy reforms that remove barriers to employment, housing, voting rights, and economic mobility. Panelists will explore systemic contradictions, the role of public perception in shaping criminal justice policy, and pathways to a future where everyone—regardless of their past—has a fair chance at reintegration and success.
Reframing Justice
Using Storytelling and Creativity to Transform the Narrative on Justice-Impacted Individuals and Criminal Justice Reform
The way we talk about justice-impacted individuals and criminal justice reform shapes public perception, policy decisions, and community support. For too long, dominant narratives have reinforced stigma, dehumanization, and barriers to reentry. But through the power of storytelling, media, art, and creativity, justice-impacted individuals are reclaiming their narratives and shifting the way society understands justice, redemption, and systemic change.
This engaging conversation will bring together formerly incarcerated artists, filmmakers, writers, activists, and media professionals who are using their platforms to challenge stereotypes, expose injustices, and inspire action. Panelists will discuss how storytelling can be used as a tool for advocacy, healing, and movement-building while exploring ways to amplify authentic voices and drive meaningful change in the justice system.
Leveling the Playing Field
Sports, Entertainment, and Culture as Pathways to Economic Mobility for Justice-Impacted Individuals
The worlds of sports, entertainment, and culture wield immense influence—not just in shaping narratives, but in creating tangible economic opportunities. This dynamic conversation will explore how these industries can serve as powerful catalysts for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and financial mobility for justice-impacted individuals.
Bringing together athletes, entertainers, industry leaders, and advocates, this panel will examine how corporate partnerships, hiring initiatives, and community investments can disrupt cycles of poverty and incarceration. Panelists will also discuss the critical role of representation, storytelling, and cultural influence in shifting perceptions and expanding access to meaningful careers.
From Lived Experience to Leadership
Justice-Impacted Voices in Gun Violence Prevention
Justice-impacted individuals are leading the fight against gun violence, using their lived experiences to drive meaningful change in the communities most affected by violence. This powerful conversation will spotlight formerly incarcerated leaders, activists, and community-based organizations working to break cycles of violence, build trust, and create safer neighborhoods. Panelists will explore the impact of grassroots intervention, policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions in transforming public safety.
The True Cost of Misinformation
How False Narratives Undermine Justice Related Policies and Initiatives.
In today’s fast-paced media landscape, misinformation spreads rapidly—shaping public perception, influencing policy decisions, and driving justice policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. From sensationalized crime reporting and misleading political rhetoric to biased social media narratives, misinformation fuels fear-based policymaking that prioritizes punishment over prevention, rehabilitation, and systemic reform.
This panel will bring together journalists, policy experts, advocates, and justice-impacted individuals to examine the real-world consequences of misinformation on justice policy—particularly in areas such as parole, sentencing reform, reentry, and community safety initiatives. Panelists will explore how inaccurate reporting, data misrepresentation, and fear-driven narratives contribute to harsher laws, over-policing, and barriers to meaningful reform, while discussing strategies to promote truth-based storytelling and responsible journalism in shaping a more just system.
Beyond Punishment
Reforming Probation and Parole for a Just and Equitable System
Probation and parole were originally designed as alternatives to incarceration, offering individuals a path to rehabilitation and reintegration. However, in practice, these systems have become excessively punitive and costly, trapping millions in an endless cycle of supervision, fees, and incarceration for minor infractions. Instead of offering a true second chance, probation and parole often act as extended punishment—disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and contributing to mass incarceration.
This critical conversation will bring together justice-impacted individuals, policy experts, advocates, and reform leaders to explore how to fix the broken supervision system. Panelists will discuss the financial and social costs of excessive probation and parole, share real stories of individuals affected by unfair supervision practices, and propose policy changes and community-driven solutions that prioritize rehabilitation and promote genuine public safety.
For decades, the traditional "tough-on-crime" approach has shaped policies that prioritize punishment over prevention, leading to over-policing, mass incarceration, and deep disparities in the justice system. Despite clear data supporting the need for reform, many prosecutorial offices have resisted change, upholding outdated practices that fail to enhance community safety. However, a new wave of prosecutors is emerging—leaders who are using their power to shift the narrative, implement data-driven policies, and create a justice system that is both effective and equitable.
This conversation will bring together elected prosecutors, legal experts, and advocates to explore how forward-thinking district attorneys and prosecutors are challenging the status quo. Panelists will discuss efforts to reform sentencing practices, end cash bail, prioritize diversion programs, reduce incarceration rates, and ensure accountability within the system. By leveraging their platforms to prioritize fairness, public safety, and restorative justice, these leaders are demonstrating that meaningful change can be achieved from within.
Prosecuting Justice
Redefining the Role of 21st-Century Prosecutors