2022
The 2022 Transforming Justice VIRTUAL Conference will focus on the powerful impact that a strong community can have on the justice framework. The conference features plenary sessions, panel discussions, and breakout sessions featuring local, regional, and national leaders in positions of influence. Also included are those impacted by injustice, inequity, and inequality. This year’s speakers and panelists will include: Judithe Registre, Keir Bradford-Grey, and many more to be announced shortly. Make sure you register today!
The day will begin with opening remarks, a panel discussing community interventions, a keynote, breakout sessions, and a town hall. Breakout sessions will focus on Narrative Justice, Participatory Defense, and Coalition Building (breakout session signups will occur on the day of the event.) The conversations at this conference will have an incredible impact on the justice community, and we look forward to having you join to participant in these innovative discussions.
Virtual platform information and participation instructions will go out to registrants prior to the event. Please contact Communications@UpliftSolutions.org with any questions.
Zoom Name: Transforming Justice: Power and Vision of Community
Zoom Date: Thursday, March 31st, 2022
Zoom time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Zoom Link: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AJXels-jqRjHq2euGX3U7TJa6OzCUg9gk2T3wJnhAsPaeGWFNczaNxE0j4hVWRFfnGKwbhE
Transforming Justice Background
The Transforming Justice Conference was founded in 2019 by Atif Bostic, Cathy Nerney, and Lauren Barrow to create a space for raising issues of injustice, inequality, and inequity with local, regional, and national leaders; whereas they are actively engaged in the collectively problem solving necessary to address them. Fostering a dialogue between leaders (elected and non-elected) and stakeholders (the community, practitioners, and the impacted) is a critical component of this platform. We ensure the impacted are well represented and have a significant role and voice in the conference. Lastly, we walk away with actionable next steps.
Transforming Justice Conference 2020
Transforming Justice Conference 2019
We hosted the inaugural event on November 15, 2019 at the Commonwealth Chateau at SugarLoaf in Chestnut Hill College. The event had more than 200 attendees that included: impacted individuals, law enforcement, social workers, nonprofit leaders, business leaders, law makers, and more. In its inaugural year the conferenced focused heavily on criminal justice. The speakers included the Mayor of Philadelphia, the District Attorney for Philadelphia, three State Representatives, the Commissioner of Prisons for Philadelphia, Executive Deputy Secretary of Corrections for the state of PA, General Counsel for Koch Industries, a juvenile lifer, two exonerated individuals, a mother who lost her child, three formerly incarcerated individual (not exonerated, not lifers, etc.), and more.
Featured speakers included:
Mark Holden
Mark Holden serves as general counsel and senior vice president of Koch Industries, Inc. In addition, he serves as senior vice president of Stand Together, board member of Americans for Prosperity and Chairman of the Board of Americans for Prosperity Foundation, and is a long-time advocate for criminal justice reform.
Larry Krasner
Larry Krasner is the 26th District Attorney of Philadelphia. Krasner was elected to the position in 2017 on a platform to reform elements of the criminal justice system, including to reduce mass incarceration, and took office in January 2018.
Keir Bradford-Grey
Keir Bradford-Grey is the Chief Defender of the Philadelphia Defenders Association. At the Defender Association, Ms. Bradford-Grey focuses on serving the citizens of Philadelphia through innovative programs that empower communities and ensure that justice is fair and final. Ms. Bradford-Grey has spearheaded initiatives to help clients develop skills to successfully re-enter their communities after serving their time in the justice system.
Sessions Included:
Poverty and Race: Agents in Justice Reform
A discussion on how poverty and race impact treatment within the criminal justice system to include new strategies and legislation designed to create equity in the system.
Be the Loudest Voice: A Discussion on Advocacy
Be the Loudest Voice will explore the role of advocacy in the fight for equity within the criminal justice system. The discussion will include example of how advocacy has helped to inform and shape legislation.
Employment in Reintegration
Employment in Reintegration will discuss the current state of employment and how reform makes economic sense.
Healthcare in Reintegration
Healthcare in Reintegration will cast a light on the hidden health issues related to successful reintegration.
Housing in Reintegration
Housing in Reintegration will highlight the barriers to gaining housing for the formerly incarcerated, the work that is currently being done, and the reform required to improve the system.
Town Hall Discussion: Criminal Justice Looking Forward
The Town Hall Discussion will focus on sharing the current strategies and work being doing at the state and national level; as well as the outlook on criminal justice reform over the next 10 years.