Transforming Justice Conference Featured an Array of Prominent Speakers

In its fourth year, the Transforming Justice Conference was a huge success with more than 200 attendees and an array of prominent city and state leaders engaged in guided discussions focused on how we can collectively “Move Forward” fair and equitable systems of justice.

Held on April 18, 2024, at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, the conference opened with a compelling message on “The Role of the Church in Supporting and Advocating for Communities” from the church’s senior pastor, Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller. This was followed by a rousing talk on justice equality led by Former Philadelphia Chief Defender, current partner at Montgomery McCraken, and Uplift Board Member, Keir Bradford-Grey.

Uplift’s President and CEO, Atif Bostic then challenged attendees to explore what justice meant to them by sharing the Merriam Webster definition, “the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.” He then asked questions related to what it means to be “just”, and if we were a truly “just” society. Further, could we be “impartially just?” In closing, Atif introduced award winning filmmaker, Shuja Moore, who discussed the impact and opportunity of real fresh start afforded by a pardon.

Before leaving the church’s Family Life Center, attendees had an opportunity to view “Pardon Me,” Shuja’s award-winning documentary on the importance and impact of the pardon process. The film featured individuals that successfully navigated the pardon process and had gone on to achieve greatly, to include the former Pennsylvania Secretary of Pardon’s, Brandon Flood. Following the film Brandon, Shuja, and Executive Director of the Promise, Mike Banks would serve on a panel further discussing the pardon and expungement process.

The middle of the day was filled with a series of other breakout sessions that included:

Pennsylvania’s Role in Moving Forward with State Representatives Jordan Harris and Darisha Parker, as well as Deputy Director of State Policy at FAMM, Celeste Trusty.

The Restorative Justice Models and Practices breakout featured speakers Jack Drummond, Director of Restorative Practices at Penn Medicine and Rev. Dr. Donna Jones, Executive Director of the Christian Council of Philadelphia.

Designing a Youth Court was taught by Kathy Smith, Associate Professor of Law & Legal Studies at Chestnut Hill College and John Papiano, Youth Courts Coordinator for the School District of Philadelphia. “We had so many attendees in our breakout interested in how to start youth courts in their schools and communities. They understood how powerful it is to educate young children about justice,” says Smith.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation was led by Sister Cathy Nerney, SSJ, Ph.D. Director of the Institute of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. There was not a dry eye in that classroom as attendees went through a range of their own emotions that delved into how forgiveness or others, and oneself is the key to true freedom and peace. “This is how we move forward, by forgiving,” Nerney says.

The Narrative Justice breakout was moderated by Ryan Murphy, Associate Professor, Sociology, at Chestnut Hill College who brought in 2 of his students to share the capstone project in their Social Inequality course at Chestnut Hill College, where they are in teams to produce audio podcasts examining issues of social inequality in the City of Philadelphia. The students put emphasis on narrative and stories – as ways to illustrate course content, to dig deeper than statistics – to hear from real individuals grappling with these issues and/or trying to address them. After the presentation, the panel lead a discussion with attendees about the importance of stories and personal narratives to challenge existing stereotypes and social structures that may constrain or disadvantage certain populations. “It was a lively, and deeply personal conversation – with many folks in attendance sharing their own or their loved ones’ stories,” says Murphy.

Educational Justice was led by Sena Owereko, Vice President of Programming and Innovation at Graduate Philadelphia. The workshop focused on the importance of educational equity for our city and region. Sena spent time speaking with attendees about how Graduate Philadelphia is working to achieve educational equity and ways they could get engaged.

But perhaps the most compelling part of the conference was when attendees gathered for a Fireside Chat on Restorative Justice and what the future holds for safer Philadelphia. This passionate discussion was moderated by Pastor Waller who posed thoughtful questions to city leaders that included Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Philadelphia Chief of Public Safety, Adam Geer. While Bethel and Krasner vowed to work together for the common good of all Philadelphians, the biggest surprise of the afternoon, was an apology from Pastor Waller to Krasner and a subsequent apology from Krassner to Waller.

City Council President Kenyata Johnson rounded out the day with his personal story of what he was accused of and how staying focused on his family, faith, friends and job got him through this trying time until he was found innocent. “They say it is innocent until proven guilty, but for me it felt like guilty until innocent. That has to change!” Johnson said. He promised attendees he would be an agent for that change. Attendees left feeling empowered and ready to implement the changes Johnson called out.

Through collectively working together with fairness, honesty, kindness, forgiveness, owning one’s mistakes and constantly working to improve oneself … the City of Brotherly Love will be a beacon of light and hope and shining example of how we MOVE FORWARD.

For more information on the initiatives discussed please visit the speakers’ respective websites.