Ten months have passed since you heard from Equal Justice USA that we would end our active operations as an organization focused on building a justice system that heals rather than harms. I hope this note finds you well despite the turmoil and uncertainty we have consistently seen since then. The impact of the Trump…
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This has been a year of hard news. Early this spring, we shared that we would need to narrow the focus of our work due to the increasingly daunting funding landscape. To cut expenses, we ended two beloved, groundbreaking programs: our Death Penalty Program and Trauma to Trust. Weeks later, the Trump administration illegally revoked…
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A few days ago, millions of people across the country flooded the streets in protest on No Kings Day. They held signs, locked arms, and raised their voices to remind those in power that the people still hold power too. It was a moment of clarity and a reminder that we’re not alone in this…
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Although LGBTQ+ people are overrepresented in the prison system, their voices and experiences are deeply underrepresented in conversations about transforming justice. This is especially true for transgender people of color, who are disproportionately targeted at alarmingly high rates by the prison system. Both the opaqueness of prisons and the overlooking of this vulnerable population means…
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This powerful conversation between EJUSA’s Newark Strategist Zayid Muhammad and EJUSA CEO Jamila Hodge marks five years since George Floyd was murdered by police. Together, they reflect on the deep historical roots of racialized policing, the global response that followed Floyd’s death, and the continued fight for police accountability and community safety. Zayid shares insight…
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In the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana, a circle of healing is growing — one shaped by love, loss, and a fierce commitment to community. What began as a grassroots response to hunger and grief has blossomed into a full-spectrum support system for mothers, families, youth, and elders impacted by gun violence. Martha Tyler, founder of…
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What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this unprecedented time? Democracy is unraveling in front of our eyes. People are on the punishing ends of every executive order pouring out of the White House. Just weeks ago, EJUSA felt the devastating effects directly, learning that the Department of Justice had canceled our…
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This spring in April, Central City came alive with music, dancing, giveaways, and something even more powerful: community care. The Heal the Block initiative returned to New Orleans, transforming one of the city’s under-resourced neighborhoods into a hub for healing, hope, and connection. Originating in Newark, NJ, Heal the Block was designed as a collaboration…
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Just days ago, the Department of Justice canceled over 365 federal grants for community safety—including community violence intervention (CVI) programs, crisis mental health response, and services for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
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Two nights ago, the Department of Justice sent us a devastating letter: “This award is being terminated because … [the] Department has changed its priorities with respect to discretionary grant funding…” The award was $2.9 million. Our priorities for that money were to invest it in community-based public safety strategies–specifically, five innovative organizations throughout Louisiana…
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