A city’s commitment to understanding trauma to prevent violence

Protesters gather in Newark, New Jersey. June 2020. Image by Kalani Mackson [https://www.afrolombian.com/a-fight-for-change]

Reimagining Justice This Month | February 2021 Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. Evaluation Reports Newark Community Street Team’s Efforts are Effective in Crime Reduction, TAPintoNewark Few cities have done as much as Newark, NJ, to think… Continue reading A city’s commitment to understanding trauma to prevent violence

Virginia lawmakers vote to end the death penalty

This. Is. Big. Virginia, a former Confederate state that has executed more people than any other state in the country, just just voted to end the death penalty, with the House of Delegates passing an abolition bill 57-41. Virginia’s achievement today once again sounds the death penalty’s demise. But it does more than that. It… Continue reading Virginia lawmakers vote to end the death penalty

Forward With Purpose

Capitol Hill Building in Washington DC with Vintage Filter

For two weeks, we waited to see how our nation would show up for inauguration day. Just 14 days separated a moment vital to democracy and one of the most grotesque manifestations of white supremacy in our history. The images of violence and bigotry will stay with me forever. People taking selfies beside a noose.… Continue reading Forward With Purpose

Pivoting in this Health Crisis

At this point, there isn’t any aspect of life in the U.S. that hasn’t been affected by the pandemic. This is especially true in Black and Brown communities. Covid-19 has magnified every inequity. People are struggling to put food on the table, pay their rent, get high-quality health care, and make sure their kids are… Continue reading Pivoting in this Health Crisis

A Mover of Mountains

Bill Pelke, anti-death penalty activist

The world lost a giant yesterday. Bill Pelke, founder of Journey of Hope…from Violence to Forgiveness, passed away in his home in Alaska after suffering a heart attack. Bill is the heart behind the anti-death penalty’s powerful mantra “love and compassion for all of humanity.” He came to this vision — and spread the message… Continue reading A Mover of Mountains