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Beyond the Choir

There have been so many moments these past months when I wanted to pause, gather my thoughts, and tell you about the incredible things happening at EJUSA. I am finally getting that chance. 

I told you a little about our incredible event with the Players Coalition in Las Vegas, just days before the Super Bowl. Since then, our program team has built an ambitious agenda of actions for partnership with the Coalition. The focus is on Louisiana, where the recently elected governor is driving a brutal legislative package that doubles down on punishment, especially of young people. 

The success in that state of our community-led public safety strategies and our restorative justice work is a shining counterargument to the punishment-first mindset. 

Just weeks after the Super Bowl, I was in Austin for South by Southwest, a multilayered conference and festival, to talk about the role the community can play in their public safety. We put this panel together, which featured Lisa Daniels, the founder of the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices; Greg Jackson, who works in the White House as the deputy director of the historic Office of Gun Violence Prevention; and our phenomenal moderator, James Cadogan, the executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. 

This event was especially important because it brought us outside “the choir,” talking to people that are still learning about alternative approaches to violence and community-centered public safety. Here’s a sample of the conversation:

The first days of April took me, and several members of our team, to a community violence intervention conference hosted by the Department of Justice. I was honored to speak during a plenary session on the power and role of narrative in our efforts to transform what justice means in this nation. 

Finally, just days ago, I took part in another fascinating conversation, this one about the potential risks that AI could have in the criminal legal system by perpetuating the racism and bias inherent in that system. 

And those are just some of the highlights. We have more incredible work coming down the road. Our research team is putting together a fascinating report on the safety needs of a rural community in Louisiana that struggles with violence—our strategies aren’t just for cities. In the coming months, we will be selecting four new communities in which to launch our restorative justice work. And we’re unveiling a new version of our Trauma to Trust curriculum this summer. 

If you’re inspired by this momentum, I hope you’ll consider making an investment today in the future of public safety.

PS: If you have a second and are interested in learning about a different aspect of our work, please read Taylor Mason’s blog about helping a new organization make its first roots strong. It’s a wonderful read.

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Healing in Community

You may have heard the news last December about a new development at Equal Justice USA: the Restorative Justice Project.

Our Restorative Justice Project is a groundbreaking endeavor aimed at fostering healing and accountability within communities across the nation. At EJUSA, we firmly believe that restorative justice offers an impactful approach to building communities and ensuring their safety.

Through this project, our dedicated team is working closely with communities from California to Philadelphia, and from Nashville to New Orleans, and beyond, to develop restorative justice diversion programs. These programs are designed to address harm, meet needs, and identify root causes, while also providing a platform for meaningful accountability and transformation.

To give you a glimpse into the incredible work being done as part of our Restorative Justice Project, I encourage you to watch “Healing in Community: The Power of Restorative Justice Diversion Trailer.” This video showcases the perspectives and experiences of several restorative justice diversion programs within EJUSA’s National Restorative Justice Diversion Collaborative.

In these programs, participants are invited to deeply explore a set of questions that look very different from the questions asked by the criminal legal system. Instead of focusing on what law was broken and how we punish the person that broke it, restorative justice recognizes that what is elevated as a crime is not always an accurate reflection of the harm caused or a directive on what is needed to make things right. Restorative justice starts with the questions:

  • What happened?
  • Who was harmed and what do they need?
  • Whose obligation is it to repair the harm and meet those needs?

Furthermore, these programs address unmet needs that may have led someone to cause harm. By asking questions like “Who else has been impacted by this harm? What are the root causes? and What is needed to address those root causes and prevent further harm?” We delve into the restorative justice process, aiming not only to repair harm but also to sow transformative seeds that lead to deeper relationships and meaningful accountability.

We distinguish between crime and harm. While crime is a violation of the law, harm is described and defined by those involved. For restorative justice, this distinction is understood deeply, and for survivors of harm, the category of crime determined by law enforcement rarely describes the harm they experienced and what impacted them most. Furthermore, as crime categories are often linked with corresponding punishments as dictated by the criminal legal system, the distinction between crime and harm is another example of returning power back to folks most impacted to describe what happened and determine what is needed to make things as right as possible.

Our Restorative Justice Project is honored to partner with communities across the country to answer the fundamental question: What do we do when harm happens? Through our work to develop innovative programs and partnerships, we’re providing communities with the tools and resources they need to navigate conflicts and harm in a way that fosters healing, growth, and connection — a pathway to real safety. 

Thank you for your continued support of our work and please check out the work of our amazing partners. 

We also want to express our gratitude to our funders, Just Impact and Galaxy Gives, for believing in our restorative justice diversion work over the years and for providing us with the flexible funding that made this video possible.

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Honoring Waymakers

Women’s History Month gave us time to reflect on the incredible contributions of Black women throughout history. We deeply value these waymakers who have tirelessly fought against injustice and paved the way for a more equitable future. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a Peer Learning Lab hosted by EJUSA, where the focus was on celebrating the legacy of Black women in the movement. Co-hosted by Tonjie Reese, EJUSA’s Director of Learning and Practice, and Josie Alexander, Baton Rouge Strategist, the lab was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength embodied by Black women.

Immediately I was struck by how the presentation was thoughtfully designed, incorporating vibrant shades of purple that echoed the imagery found in Alice Walker’s work. The session began with a grounding exercise, drawing inspiration from the words of Octavia Butler. As we reflected on the affirmation, “We can, each of us, do the impossible as long as we can convince ourselves that it has been done before,” it served as a reminder of the collective power we hold when we stand together. Watching a short video on the Woman’s Club Movement further highlighted the pivotal role Black women have played in advocating for social change throughout history.

Josie and Tonjie led us through a timeline highlighting key moments of Black women’s involvement in various movements, from abolition to civil rights to contemporary activism. It was a testament to their enduring legacy. We also delved into the challenges Black women face in organizing spaces, where their voices are often marginalized and their leadership undervalued. Despite these obstacles, Black women continue to be at the forefront of social movements, driving change and demanding accountability. As we discussed the importance of passing the torch and preserving the flame of activism, it became clear that honoring Black women’s contributions is not just a matter of historical recognition but a commitment to amplifying their voices and ensuring their legacies endure.

To conclude the session, we recited a creed and commitment, reaffirming our dedication to honoring and elevating the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black women. In solidarity, we pledged to be relentless in our pursuit of justice, equity, and equality, recognizing that the liberation of Black women is intertwined with the liberation of all.

As a Black woman myself, this Peer Learning Lab was deeply meaningful. Thank you, Tonjie and Josie, for reminding me of the resilience of my ancestors and the responsibility I carry to continue their legacy of advocacy. Let’s recommit ourselves to the ongoing struggle for justice, guided by the wisdom and courage of Black women who have paved the way for generations to come.

 

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Reinvest in Communities

As I sat down to watch “Reimagining Safety” on Amazon Prime, I expected a typical documentary on police reform. However, what I witnessed transcended mere critique; it offered a profound examination of the historical roots and societal impact of policing in America. Rather than providing a summary of the film, I feel compelled to share my reflections on the urgent need for change.

The film highlights the need for community-based solutions to address the systemic issues ingrained within law enforcement. It challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truths about the origins of policing in America. From the slave patrols of the antebellum South to the present-day manifestations of racial bias and violence, the institution of policing has been historically intertwined with the suppression and control of marginalized communities, specifically of Black and Brown communities.

Central to this discussion is the notion of reallocating resources and funding the community through essential social services such as housing, education, and mental health support. It’s a call to recognize that investing in these areas not only enhances public safety but also addresses the root causes of crime and social unrest.

The film sheds light on the deficiencies within police training programs. These programs vary in length and content. Some try to prepare officers for crisis responses, and others hope for the best. One consistency throughout is the emphasis on militarization and punitive measures that perpetuate a cycle of violence and distrust, particularly among Black and Brown communities who bear the brunt of over-policing and brutality.

The murder of George Floyd served as a catalyst for widespread public outcry and demands for accountability. It laid bare the realities of police violence and the urgent need for systemic change. However, the subsequent calls for reform, such as increased training and body cameras, fall short in addressing the underlying issues of systemic racism and bias ingrained within the institution of policing.

Fundamentally, policing is not just a practice but an ideology rooted in notions of punishment and control, disproportionately targeting marginalized communities. This punitive approach perpetuates a cycle of incarceration and violence, sustaining fear and mistrust within communities.

The uprising following George Floyd’s killing launched a movement to redefine public safety and challenge the status quo. It’s a call to reimagine a world where we have to rely on policing far less and we invest in community-based strategies focused on prevention, intervention, and restorative justice.

As Audre Lorde eloquently stated, “Without community, there is no liberation.” It’s a reminder that true liberation necessitates collective action and solidarity. To truly ensure the safety and well-being of all members of society, we must invest in community-based solutions that prioritize compassion, accountability, and justice for all.

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Learning and Practice

Tonjie Reese was recently promoted to her new role, Director of Learning and Practice. She leads and equips community members with the skills, empathy, and tools necessary to contribute to public safety ecosystems. She is also the founder of eleven24, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing interpersonal violence. Sierra Scott recently sat down with Tonjie Reese to talk about her journey in the work and what she envisions and hopes to accomplish in this new role. 

What kind of work were you doing in your previous position as a capacity building specialist and how did it transition into your new position, director of learning and practice? 

As a capacity building specialist, a lot of that work was working directly with our grassroots partners to support building infrastructure and relationship building. We have historically been heavy on supporting folks with creating grants and supporting them around grant funding, but on the capacity building team, we were trying to shift things beyond grant writing because it’s one thing to get a grant, and a whole other thing to operate an organization and have it be sustainable…We have been doing a lot of accompaniment work and I felt like there needed to be some level of macro engagement which also fit into EJUSA’s longer-term vision of building out a resource library.

Since I am in Detroit, and a lot of folks that we were working with were in Louisiana, I felt like there were opportunities for us to keep in contact with folks and continue to offer some type of capacity building resource. This is how the peer learning labs came about.

We had an opportunity to integrate the peer learning labs into a grant we just secured with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an agency that provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs. Now the grantees would have their own learning labs. With the continued expansion of the labs, building out the resource library is a priority (the resource library is a collection of learning tools including peer learning lab recordings, handouts, and toolkits that the team will be building in the future). It also allows our EJUSA team to create their learning labs and be the drivers in it; this is the foundation in building a training institute, while also building out a fellowship program.

My vision and thought for learning and practice overall is to create a community of learning, where individuals, empowered by knowledge and practice, actively engage in violence intervention and justice transformation. Learning and practice will provide those who have been historically marginalized with the opportunity to learn theories, concepts, and competencies alongside their peers – while also developing practical solutions for their unique communities. This involves collaborating with individuals within our EJUSA team and grassroots organizations we partner with. I imagine this training institute for facilitating dialogue and ways to create collaboration. The purpose of the institute is for community members to feel empowered.

Are there any success stories or impactful moments that have happened during the peer learning labs?

We have had the passing of information and some referrals from our staff…[for example] , there was a referral from somebody that we have been doing capacity work with, and we had one on one coaching conversations centered on building up his organization. I mentioned to him that Giving Tuesday was coming up and he was like, “Oh my gosh, I am not ready for that.” I immediately sent him our recording of our Giving Tuesday Learning Lab and he ended up raising a  good amount of money…That was a resource for us last year that he was able to benefit from…and that has been a highlight. Also, a highlight has been the overall feedback through the surveys I send out. The surveys have been overall positive and folks are happy to have a space to learn from. After attending the sessions, participants have shared that the content is useful for them and they left feeling more confident about a topic. Even if someone doesn’t attend the live session, they have access to the recording, and we always have replays on the recordings.

Is there anything else that you would like to speak about when it comes to learning and practice? 

One thing I’m excited about with learning and practice, which is something we do at EJUSA that is kind of natural, is experiential learning and the field trips we take. I have been to museums with folks at EJUSA more than a couple of times, like recently we went to Congo Square in New Orleans where we learned about the history and its connection to Haiti. I call them “adult field trips” and that to me is also peer learning spaces. It’s where we can have learning exchanges, knowledge exchanges, and discussions while going into actual communities and different places. This is how I see the peer learning labs expanding and also how folks can use this in their communities. 

For future learning labs, we’ll lean into topics that are interesting to our partners and are focused on building infrastructure, healing, and intersections of community violence. The learning opportunities are endless, and I’m excited to learn with our team and partners. I’m also excited to build out our fellowship program, which will provide assistance to small-community based organizations in need of administrative, organizational, and fundraising support. 

Next Learning Labs: 

Strategies for Community Outreach

Reparations: Past, Present, and Future

Join our community today to receive exclusive insights, funding opportunities, and expert tips for grassroots organizations directly from Equal Justice USA’s Capacity Building team. Let us support you in developing and sustaining your programs – sign up now to stay informed!

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Identifying Propaganda

In the Age of Information, accessing data you need has never been easier. Our phones, tablets, TVs, and computers provide a constant flood of information. Whether in public or private, you are able to view sports, the weather, entertainment, or news almost instantly. However, this also means that it is easier than ever to be targeted by propaganda. But, what is propaganda exactly? 

Propaganda is the systemic dissemination of biased or misleading information to influence public opinion.

Propaganda and advertising are similar, but while advertising sells a product, propaganda sells an idea. Propaganda is about power. It’s a tool those in power use to maintain it, and a tool for those who want it. It relies on misconstruing or falsifying truth in order to incite anger and fear. Here are three primary forms of false information that are important for all of us to know. 

  • Misinformation: false or inaccurate information that is communicated regardless of an intention to deceive
  • Disinformation: false information deliberately and often covertly spread to influence public opinion or obscure the truth
  • Malinformation: information that is reality-based, but often taken out of context to inflict harm on a person, organization, or country

Each of these forms of communication leverage powerful, dominant narratives that spread across information and communication networks. These forms of false information are leveraged by powerful people to keep harmful systems of control that are rooted in white supremacy, like the death penalty and the prison industrial complex, as the status quo. These forms of communication have a harmful impact, and most often hurt Black and Brown communities.

Because propaganda is a marketing technique, some politicians and political campaigns will use disinformation tactics to sway voters.  Additionally, media outfits, lobbying organizations, and power groups like the Fraternal Order of Police use common techniques to advance an agenda that maintains a legal system that harms everyone it touches. By arming ourselves with knowledge about how misinformation, disinformation and malinformation work, we can look out for others in our community, and call out propaganda tactics when we see them.

In a follow-up piece, we’ll discuss specific narratives that some politicians will use to drive up fear in their voter base. First, here are a few strategies you may have already noticed already and can continue to look out for in the future: 

  • Bandwagon Strategy: The bandwagon method of propaganda capitalizes on the fear of missing out. It is a way to recognize other supporters, and fosters a sense of belonging. That’s why political campaigns give away signs and print t-shirts and sell hats, especially with patriotic colors.
  • Creating Scapegoats: Scapegoats are people or groups that are constructed to be the “enemy.” They are often unjustly blamed, demonized, and subsequently victimized by an outraged community. Some politicians will use scapegoating tactics to demonize black and brown people, poor people, immigrants, women, youth, trans people, people with disabilities, gangs, Jews, Palestinians, and other marginalized groups. Recently, politicians used racist dog whistles during the Covid-19 pandemic that directly led to a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. 
  • Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt: Paranoia and fear are useful tools of the propagandists. Scare tactics are useful in driving voter bases away from the opposing candidate or position. Fear is an effective motivator, and it clouds judgment and inhibits the ability to make informed decisions.
  • Glittering Generalities: These vague words and phrases don’t have any substance. The words are emotionally charged to evoke positive feelings and gain approval from the audience. Former President Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is an excellent example. How did the presidency intend to make America great? When was it last great? Similarly, President Biden’s slogan, Build Back Better also doesn’t say anything about what, who, or how, but it does rely on tropes that will appeal to many, and conjure a vision that’s both malleable and appeals to emotions. Both slogans appeal to the audience without having any details or facts. 

It’s important to remember that any political party can use propaganda. It’s not just the opponents you don’t like. It is a tool that any person, organization, or company can use. Furthermore, anyone can be swayed by propaganda, which is why being able to identify it will help us keep our communities safe. In the next piece, we’ll be discussing the impact on Black and Brown communities. In the meanwhile, you can read these links below to learn more about what was discussed here. 

Links for further reading: 

https://www.postalley.org/2021/02/14/propaganda-101-trumps-tools-of-the-trade/

https://www.propwatch.org/propaganda.php

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9168424/

https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/06/08/scapegoating-as-propaganda/

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/conspiracy-propagandists

https://newrepublic.com/article/144592/trump-creating-propaganda-state

https://classroom.synonym.com/what-are-the-seven-techniques-of-propaganda-12080912.html

https://themindcollection.com/propaganda-techniques/

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Youth Voices Heard

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EJUSA was honored to partner with the Baton Rouge community on a special event convening local youth to hear from and question the city’s police chief. Youth voices are so important in conversations about public safety, so we’re grateful that Chasity Joseph, a youth leader, offered to share her thoughts on the event.

Our Ask the Chief event was held to introduce our new chief of police, Thomas S. “TJ” Morse, Jr., chosen by Mayor Broome of Baton Rouge, to students at Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (A&M). The goal of this event was to encourage open discussion regarding public safety and policing with Black youth at our HBCU (historical black colleges and universities). Students had the opportunity to gain insight into recruitment opportunities such as internships, programs collaborating with nonprofits, and policies the new chief and Mayor Broome are promoting in our community. 

We were joined by EJUSA’s Josie Alexander and Kristina Dezendorf as well as Dr. Kristie Perry and I had the opportunity to facilitate the discussion between my peers and the members serving our communities. Being the student moderator for the Meet the Chief Event was a truly rewarding experience. Mayor Broome of Baton Rouge shared a ton of important information regarding the approximately 20 programs currently in place, from the ReCast program aimed at community-based culturally specific health resources (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2023), to ALICE highlighting and informing on families working towards financial stability (Louisiana Association of United Ways, n.d.) and the Safe Hopeful and Healthy program that “develops a collective vision and strategy to strengthen coordination, capacity, and partnerships to address the root causes of violence, and to advance policies and practices.” (Safe Hopeful and Healthy Baton Rouge, n.d.). 

Our new chief of police, Thomas S. “TJ” Morse, Jr., emphasized the efforts being made to promote communication between nonprofits working to target similar goals so that they can rally against their common causes during monthly meetings at the downtown library. Through this event, I got to learn about concepts like community-centered public safety ecosystems and the 21st-century model of policing.

According to EJUSA, public safety ecosystems are the social and cultural, community-led, political and institutional, and system-led strategies that contribute to an ecosystem that works together to create overall safety and better quality of life.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) defines 21st Century Policing strategies as internal and external practices designed to help agencies promote effective crime reduction while building public trust and safeguarding officer well-being (The International Association of Chiefs of Police, n.d.). I’m particularly excited about the youth council that Chief Morse proposed to act alongside his current advisory council in discussions around issues pertaining to the city. 

This event had one of the best student turnouts I have seen for an event of this kind. Students really took the initiative to ask difficult questions related to gun violence, police training, and addressing bias in the system. Some of these included the following: What is being done for gun control policies in the city of Baton Rouge? What is the duration and requirements for police training? Are there plans for supplemental training to be enforced? 

With police training only being eight days, the news that our new chief would be pushing for more foundational training was welcomed. A student in the My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) chapter also made note of the representation of police at this event, which was mainly Black officers when the majority of police that students at HBCUs like Southern University and A&M College are concerned about aren’t Black. This highlights the importance of diversifying discussions and establishing a safe space to voice ways that we can improve. 

Chief Morse was more than open to emphasizing inclusive discussions and ensuring there is better representation moving forward. 

A quote that Chief Morse shared that stuck with me was,

“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” ― Robert Peel

This quote in particular exemplifies the ideal version of policing for communities. Given the current tone of my peers, there is a fracturing relationship between Black communities and the police. Notably, Cop City in reference to Atlanta, has raised concerns for police militarization taking place in minority communities across the United states. 

From our event I have taken away that indeed there is room to bridge the disconnect but only if community voices and more developmental training practices are truly the foundation for policing. It is important to note that Black communities have consistently been vocal about reform that emphasizes de-escalation and embodies community efforts towards welfare. However, historically our communities are not who the police have considered “the public” in which they represent. Our Meet the Chief event was in essence a promising foundation for ensuring representation of our community and understanding that public safety is a joint effort built upon establishing relationships.

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Transformational Capacity Building with The Village Revival Project

One evening in June of 2022, dozens of EJUSA team members and Newark community leaders gathered at Military Park to celebrate “The Future of Public Safety: Exploring the Power & Possibility of Newark’s Reimagined Public Safety Ecosystem.” This 60-page report highlighted the city’s efforts and achievements in stemming violence, healing Newarkers most impacted by harm, and creating local infrastructures to foster long-term safety. Over the previous two days, EJUSA and our Newark partners held a convening to mark these milestones of progress and set new goals moving forward. 

As the sun set and the crowd dwindled, Alia Berry and I stood in a small circle at the far end of the park, and she shared with me her vision for the Village Revival Project (VRP). She lit up as she described her idea for a transformative justice initiative that heals relationships between individuals who have caused violent harm and their surrounding communities through education about systemic and personal drivers of community violence, as well as art-based collaborative dialogue to achieve mutual empathy and collective efficacy. 

Up until this point, I knew of Alia’s work as a community-based social worker in the city, and we’d caught glimpses of each other’s Zoom boxes on Newark’s public safety roundtable calls. But like many of our partners, her passion for connecting with people on all sides of violence is distinct and deeply needed in movement work. We began working together within a couple weeks of our meeting. Now, after almost 18 months of regular check-ins, intensive brainstorming and strategy sessions, and creating space for her visioning and re-visioning of this work, the VRP is a registered 501(c)(3), and preparing to launch its first cohort. The journey to this milestone came with incredible lessons for both of us, and made clear to me the unique qualities of EJUSA’s capacity building partnerships in Newark and beyond.

Starting with relationships

For EJUSA, collaborating with capacity building partners to achieve sustainable organizations, well-resourced teams, and safer, healthier communities begins with relationships rooted in trust and transparency. After our meeting in June, Alia and I spent the remainder of the year on bi-weekly calls, learning about what brought us to this work, as well as the strengths and growing edges we were each leaning into. 

Some calls are about the nuts and bolts — developing a governing board, bylaws, and securing fiscal sponsorship. Others are about ensuring that partners know they have a safe haven with us to share ideas and process the excitement, fears, and concerns that come with launching and managing an organization.

Identifying our people and putting them first

Throughout our time working on VRP’s model and fundraising strategies, Alia and I often posed the following questions for reflection:

  • Who are we accountable to in this work? How can leaders bring additional, trusted voices into the fold to ensure that we center those often erased or harmed in this work and the narratives surrounding it? 
  • How do we check our own power and privilege as leaders and founders, and how can we create systems rooted in sharing power with those we serve?
  • When navigating donor bases that are often distanced from our communities, how do we bridge that gap and build empathy for those that we serve while centering their dignity? 
  • What does it look like to tell our stories in ways that guide donors to reckon with their role in systems of oppression that have led to these inequities? 

Creating systems and tools rooted in imagination 

Creating budgets, evaluation methods, and other infrastructures can be anywhere from exhilarating to stressful to triggering based on our personal and communal histories. When working together, Alia and I started by rooting in imagination first: asking questions and creating exercises that aim to make these processes more accessible by encouraging visioning and dreaming about the people and impact of the organization. From there, breaking that vision down into smaller pieces to determine the “how” of making it happen:

  • Who would be a best-fit participant for this type of program? What journey do you envision them taking by participating in the program, from start to finish? 
  • What staff are present to support these participants? 
  • Where is this taking place, and with what partnerships? 
  • What resources are needed to make this happen?
  • If your program succeeds, where will this participant be three years from now? What will the impact on the community be?

Creating a secure base to foster agency and sustainability

When partnering with grassroots organizations, EJUSA’s capacity building team works with leaders to build solid foundations that nurture their agency and their organization’s sustainability. As new organizations like VRP grow and stabilize, our work with Alia has slowly moved from intensive technical assistance to more flexible capacity building and resource sharing. This adaptability allows leaders like Alia to develop independently and to deepen their unique relationships within their communities, with EJUSA providing a soft landing when deeper levels of support are needed. 

To learn more about Alia and the Village Revival Project’s work at their website and on social media.

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An Investment in Healing

Leaders of Color Lean Into Their Healing

In December 2023, EJUSA was honored to host a healing retreat for allies and partners in the fight for justice. Members of the Leaders of Color (LOC) within the death penalty movement, came together for support and fellowship in their healing. Cohabitating space in a beautiful home overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, collectively they exhaled. Exploring healing through culinary, ancestral and therapeutic avenues. Connecting the dots with smells and moods, teas and health, validation and resilience with a sprinkle of VIPcare. Enjoying homemade meals and breaking bread together while wiping each other’s tears through some intense emotional sessions. A support group leaning on their individual and collective traumas. Heavy work demands heavy care, it was time to invest in us.

As a member of this group myself, I understand the need of creating a wellness infrastructure that supports the needs of the advocates doing the heavy work of those condemned by a harmful justice system.Creating spaces for those carrying the additional burden of protecting and empowering their impacted communities is a must. We cannot ignore the compounded grief and trauma of our own village. It was time to find ways to pour into them with the love and tools necessary to support their healing.

“This experience was life-changing”- Sheri Dickerson

I am a part of an amazing team at EJUSA supporting partners within the violence prevention movement space. Creating spaces for partners to workshop their healing needs. What does healing justice look like for the community of healers advocating for our most vulnerable and ignored? How do we provide care for our mental, physical and emotional wellness? What tips and tools can we provide? It’s an honor to explore this healing justice journey together with our fierce allies of the movement work. Healing justice is an investment in our care and I’m all in.

Leaders of Color Continued Care Takeaways

  • We dis-empower disinformation and narratives that harm our community. Our community, our stories and our narratives matter.
  • Your rest IS resistance! Taking care of you is important for the movement. Refuel your tank by remembering your why!
  • In order to get through grief you have to FEEL through it. We must mourn the grief and trauma of our work.

 

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Chain Gang All Stars

Satire. Artists of all types use it to hold a mirror up to society, maybe one of those fun house mirrors that distorts the image, makes it large, twists it around. In that redefined image, there’s a truth, one that perhaps we’re often guilty of not seeing. The mirror makes it easier for us to see, even impossible to miss. 

Chain-Gang All-Stars, by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, is, in my opinion, a brilliant novel. And it is a satire, capital S. Its truth is justice, and the target of its twisted image is our punishing criminal legal system. 

Now, if you know EJUSA, then you know we share that same target. The system’s origins began with the establishment of slave patrols in the South and semi-organized police forces formed to protect property interests in the North. Today, we spend more than $300 billion every year on punishment and social control, and those efforts disproportionally hurt Black and Brown people, marginalized populations, and the impoverished. 

The most egregious, extreme punishments include the death penalty and, far more prevalent, death by incarceration through extensive sentences. That is where Adjei-Brenyah takes precise aim. 

He imagines the Criminal Action Penal Entertainment (CAPE) program. People who have received a death or extreme sentence can, with some vetting, opt into this program that places them on teams, or Chains, that battle each other in a variety of ways. And when I say battle, the difference between a win and a loss is death. You win, you live for another day. 

The carrot: win all your battles and survive for three years on the circuit, and you earn “High Freedom,” liberation. The narrative focuses on one Chain, led by Loretta Thurwar, a fierce and universally loved Link, and the last days of her journey toward High Freedom. 

Loved? Yes, CAPE is televised and has become a centerpiece of American culture. And this isn’t just “sports broadcasting.” Yes, big matches take place in arenas that roar with bloodthirst. But a very imaginable reality television is available to all, the daily grind and stress of being a Link beamed into any household. Adjei-Brenyah imagines CAPE’s societal intersection in almost every direction. 

But he isn’t satisfied solely with imagination. Sprinkled throughout the text are footnotes, many of which document factual information about our criminal legal system as it exists today. The story, the relationships, the action are all engrossing—and superbly written—but Adjei-Brenyah holds us to account for the system that we desperately need to dismantle. 

I won’t say anything more about the stories except to say that they are filled with love and suspense, with humor and horror. And I will flag that there is violence, a fair amount but none of it gratuitous.  

Given the amount of violence we see in our movies and television programs, I suspect that most of you can endure what happens in the novel. And I would hope it reminds you again that this thing so many call a justice system delivers almost nothing like it. 

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