Two weekends ago, I attended the 2026 United For Justice Center’s (UJC) conference, “Connect for Change”. What a beautiful theme and this was clearly expressed and explained in the opening of the conference thoughts shared by Dr. Eric Michael Dyson, “We cannot change in isolation. We must collaborate and work toward collective engagement”.
“FAMILY MATTERS”
The first panel, “Family Matters” was a powerful way start the conference. I listened to Nicole Paultre Bell, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, and Vel’lesiya Wiley reflect on the lives of their lost loved ones – Sean Bell, Terence Crutcher, and Kohen Wiley. Admittedly, I cried.
Nicole Paultre Bell encouraged us to, “Take advantage & engage the movement before it hits your door”. She spoke about the lack of empathy that is often shown by the police to victims of police brutality and she remarked that when mess up’s are realized, empathy and accountability are necessary.
In light of the recent outcome of the officers involved in shooting 1 year old Kohen Wiley, I am privileged to have been among those who said his name and will keep saying the name, “Kohen Wiley”.
You can watch this session on review at the following link, https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com/past-summits/v/family-matters-26
MENTAL HEALTH FORUM
A major point that was made in this forum is that caring for people in community is actually less expensive than incarceration, institution, supervision, rehabilitation, etc. The encouragement was offered regarding the seeming popularity of Mental Health Consumer Survivors/ Peer Advocates. Might we pray for them and for more!
There was a great conversation between Charlemagne Tha God & Kempis “Ghani” Songster. They explained that there is no mental health care in prison. Those incarcerated become their our own mental health care (if they can find it). What they have and can trust in is what they provide to each other. Many become self-educated through there is no counselor or advocate to debrief the often experienced trauma with. Prison seems intent on destroying our mental health. Many have come out, allowing the prison time to be to their benefit, but that is in spite of prison not because of it. If we truly care about “mental health”, we have to begin to imagine another model. I couldn’t help but think of the often felt sentiments I myself felt while in prison, yes the walls truly go beyond the physical and work to “arrest imagination”.
You can watch this session on review at the following link, https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com/past-summits/v/mental-health-and-the-justice-system
EDUCATION FORUM
One question that was pertinent and asked at the outset was, “Do teachers see the potential in our children?” If they see the potential they will work within best practices. We know that curiousity causes students to excel. Are our teachers, are we, provoking curiosity within their students, our chilren? Are we encouraging them to stay curious? Are we curious and truly believe in the importance and power of learning?
The focus of the discussion, as it should, became the importance and value of people/person centered education. We must teach what is right for all and in a manner that all can truly learn, which demands a “one-size-fits-one” approach. That is part and parcel of staying curious.
You can watch this session on review at the following link, https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com/past-summits/v/education-as-prevention-education-as-opportunity
REVIEW THE CONFERENCE VIDEOS
You can review all the videos of the conference yourself on at the following link, https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com/ujc-summit-2026
ORGANIZATIONS OF JUSTICE
The manner in which in table was set up and was given the adqeuatre space was so well done. So many great organizations involved in carceral justice reform were present. I had the privilege of visiting with;
- Justice For Keith Lamar
https://www.keithlamar.org/ - Rehabilitation Through Arts (RTA)
https://rta-arts.org/ - Baard Prison Initiative
https://bpi.bard.edu/ - Youth Justice Network
https://youthjustice.org/
I met Patrick Cunningham from Battered Women’s Justice Project
I met Mike Winans of the Reform Alliance.
Of course, I had to stop by the Communities Not Cages table and was privileged to chat with Ismael Diaz & Jayette Lansbury.
https://www.communitiesnotcagesny.org
Initially, the only reason I even knew about this conference was from Blair Garner. His fellowship and his work prove and will further prove to be a blessing. Check out First Stop Reentry – https://firststopreentry.org/
Lastly, it was pretty encouraging to see Mysonne on stage in person talking about the important things of social justice. I remember when I first came home from prison in 2006, his name & music were well known and finding popularity.
