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.… Continue reading Beyond the Choir
Tag: community
A Just Future
At EJUSA, our vision extends beyond merely imagining a transformed society. We envision a world where all people, in all communities, can live free from harm. Central to achieving this vision is the acknowledgment and repair of historical and ongoing harms, especially those stemming from racial terror that is deeply embedded in the fabric of… Continue reading A Just Future
Building on Love
As you’re reading this blog, I am in South Africa, celebrating something deeply special to me while keeping the inspiring life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King firmly in my heart. Fifteen years ago, my mother began a quest to build a church building here in Reiger Park, South Africa, for a wonderful community… Continue reading Building on Love
What Lies Ahead
I hope that the new year has so far brought you peace, health, and excitement for what lays ahead. I speak for all of us at EJUSA when I tell you how eager I am for the opportunities to build community safety in cities and neighborhoods across the country. There’s so much happening: The Restorative… Continue reading What Lies Ahead
The Next Frontier
In 2016, we launched a groundbreaking program in Newark, NJ, that brought community members and police officers into the same room to explore trauma — especially as it is connected to encounters with policing. And we wanted to explore the trauma of both groups. Since then hundreds of community members and police officers have gone… Continue reading The Next Frontier
Baton Rouge Explores Trauma
Lionel Latouche, our director of Trauma to Trust (T2T), turned the lights back on as the video of Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul apologizing for the killing of Alton Sterling came to a close. My chest was tight, feeling the tension of the room as Baton Rouge community members and police officers waited for… Continue reading Baton Rouge Explores Trauma
The Momentum is Real
I recently got a text message from one of the most prominent district attorneys in the country. He thanked me for writing this op-ed on what survivors of violence need — and why meeting those needs, especially in the communities most impacted, builds community safety. He told me that his attorneys were talking about it. … Continue reading The Momentum is Real
How We Respond to Tragedy
About six weeks ago, Najee Seabrooks sent out a call for help. He texted his co-workers at the Paterson Healing Collective — an EJUSA partner and ally in the movement to build community safety — that he was in crisis and he needed them. Najee was trained as a healer and a violence interventionist, so… Continue reading How We Respond to Tragedy
Safety & Healing Session
The idea began with a question: What would it look like to accompany a church willing to match faith with deeds so they can meet the justice needs in their community? The question that led to an idea led to a journey to Richmond, VA. I teamed up with Will Simpson, EJUSA’s director of violence… Continue reading Safety & Healing Session
A Pillar of Newark
Meet our friend and activist Ms. Sharon Redding. I’m not alone in seeing her as a pillar of her city. She’s worked for the Newark Community Street Team since 2016 as a community advocate. Ms. Sharon is a vital voice connecting her community and its concerns with city and state leaders to build community safety… Continue reading A Pillar of Newark