JLUSA (Just Leadership USA)

JustLeadershipUSA was established with the core belief that those most affected by an issue are often best positioned to solve it, yet are frequently marginalized from accessing resources and authority. This perspective is particularly relevant to the over 70 million individuals who have interacted with the criminal legal system in the United States. The country’s history reflects a significant increase in incarceration rates, driven by fear, racism, and political agendas, leading to policies like mandatory sentencing and stop and frisk that have disproportionately impacted Black, Brown, and impoverished communities. Recognizing that the criminal legal system is a component of a broader oppressive structure, JustLeadershipUSA seeks to disrupt a system that, akin to slavery, thrives on controlling those within its confines. Founded in 2014 by Glenn Martin, a formerly incarcerated advocate, the organization aims to empower leaders by providing transformative training and support, enabling them to play key roles in efforts to reduce incarceration rates and redefine the criminal legal system’s function. DeAnna Hoskins assumed leadership of JustLeadershipUSA in 2018, bringing her own experiences as a previously incarcerated individual and a deep background in policy and advocacy to the role. Under her guidance, the organization has evolved into a prominent force in the decarceration movement. Despite its growth, JustLeadershipUSA remains committed to its fundamental mission of empowering those historically excluded from power to become catalysts for dismantling systemic racism and oppression.

https://jlusa.org

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