Justice Champions Spotlight: AWJ 2022!
On May 4-5, RBIJ were honoured to host the first ever American Workforce & Justice Summit in Atlanta, GA. This groundbreaking conference brought together over 150 business leaders, campaign organizers, and policy experts to discuss drivers for corporate engagement in justice issues and reveal practical steps to deliver meaningful, measurable and enduring change. For our May Spotlight, we sat down with some of our preeminent speakers to discuss the Summit — their impressions, key takeaways, and what they would most want to see from next year’s installment!
John Rush
Founder and CEO, CleanTurn Enterprises
Why did you decide to speak at the American Workforce and Justice Summit?
I often feel so inadequate and undeserving to say anything at all given my own past. In the past I have made decisions in my life that contradict the core of who I am and who I long to be. The forgiveness and love extended to me have provided me an opportunity for healing, restoration and have become the fuel that sustains my passion and drive. This work is very personal for me. Growing up in poverty in West Virgina, seeing the impact of abuse and trauma in my family — especially my mother, experiencing sexual abuse as an adolescent from an older adult male — exploring the world as a Marine and seeing extreme poverty in places like Haiti, raising a family of ten on the westside of Chicago and hearing the stories (and living in the journey) of over 5,000 women and men I've been involved in hiring who have been impacted by the criminal justice system...I am not sure how I wouldn't want to participate so as to listen and search for something to say — and then say it!
What was the most valuable session for you and why?
The most valuable session for me was the emphasis on love that Desmond Meade [Florida Rights Restoration Coalition] talked about. Love is often thought of only in the context of its romantic nature and for this reason (and many other reasons) seems very limiting in its ability to contribute to crucial questions central to criminal justice reform. The soul of justice is diluted when love is excluded from the conversation. It simply ceases to be justice.
Why do you feel it is important that business leaders, justice experts and campaign organizations come together to address the issues facing our criminal legal system?
I believe business is far more than a transactional experience between management, co-workers, and so on with each other, or "the team" with "customers". It is more than a market of buyers. If we do not experience business as deeply relational at its core, our efforts on issues like the criminal legal system will only be interesting for sophisticated marketers: those who leverage a good message for increased revenue. This coming together is fundamentally a resolution to live in the messiness of community and seek a third way — a third way of seeing things to achieve a common good.
What did you feel were the most important takeaways from AWJ 2022?
Strengthened relationships. New relationships. It was also very helpful to gain a greater awareness of the many issues RBIJ is focused on.
What are you looking forward to hearing more about next year?
I left thinking that we must get business leaders, HR professionals, managers, and more at the event! Keep working hard at building bridges even as we push for change now — always a challenge.
Michelle Cirocco
Chief Social Responsibility Office, Televerde
Why did you decide to speak at the American Workforce and Justice Summit?
I have been excited about speaking at the Summit since I first heard about plans for the event. For years, I have been promoting the idea that businesses need to get involved in solving the issues associated with mass incarceration in the United States. This Summit was the first of its kind, designed to bring business leaders together to learn more and meet the people involved in driving change. It demonstrates we are moving in the right direction, and that businesses are taking notice and taking action. It’s exciting to be involved in watching and participating in this sea change.
Why do you feel it is important that business leaders, justice experts and campaign organizations come together to address the issues facing our criminal legal system?
The issues we face are intertwined; by working together we can have the greatest impact, for individuals, families, communities and business. Policy changes can reduce incarceration and eliminate barriers to reentry, businesses can have access to talent, and campaign organizations help raise awareness and reduce stigmas, all of which can help make the transition back into the community easier so the individuals can find and fulfill their full potential and break the cycle of generational incarceration and poverty — which ultimately makes our communities better, safer places.
What did you feel were the most important takeaways from AWJ 2022?
That there is a lot of work to be done! There is no silver bullet and there are some areas and issues to be addressed to drive long-term change. Everyone working in this space needs to understand that each element is equally important as the other, and that together — and with the support of businesses — we can create great change.
What are you looking forward to hearing more about next year?
The impact and the outcomes of the policies, programs and partnerships that have developed as a result of the people that participated in this year’s Summit.
Amy Waggoner
Vice President, State & Local Government Affairs, Salesforce
Why did you decide to speak at the American Workforce and Justice Summit?
Connecting with corporate counterparts and advocacy partners on key policy issues is a priority for Salesforce, and the Summit was a perfect opportunity to do precisely this!
What was the most valuable session for you and why?
The Quick Fire session on “How The Justice System Works” was incredibly valuable for our work. The quick, five-minute talks on each step in the justice system by leaders in their respective space were informative and engaging. Each speaker highlighted relevant stories of real people impacted by the justice system and the reforms needed.
Why do you feel it is important that business leaders, justice experts and campaign organizations come together to address the issues facing our criminal legal system?
Business leaders are not experts on these topics. So when we embarked upon this new set of policy priorities, we naturally turned to the organizations that are the experts in these topics. They guide and inform our work today — from flagging opportunities to support or oppose legislation, to educating us about the nuance around a policy that makes it good, or great.
What did you feel were the most important takeaways from AWJ 2022?
I think it was the understanding that these issues require long, sustained advocacy to create systemic change and by working together we can achieve more.
What are you looking forward to hearing more about next year?
Hearing an update on progress over the last year, and the partnerships that have helped fuel systemic change.
Natasha DiFiore
Director of Legal Affairs, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Why did you decide to speak at the American Workforce and Justice Summit?
The American Workforce and Justice Summit provided an opportunity to share the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s experience advocating for second chances legislation in Georgia, and learn from like-minded organizations that understand the critical role businesses play in reducing barriers to the workforce, education, and housing. I was honored to speak about our close partnership with the Georgia Justice Project on second chances, as well as legislative and educational efforts.
What was the most valuable session for you and why?
I found the session I was a part of — The Role of Business Going Forward — particularly informative given the insights into panelist companies’ social impact commitments to addressing criminal justice system issues. For instance, Doug Jenkins, Georgia Power’s VP, Western Region, told us that criminal justice reform is one of Georgia Power’s core social justice pillars and that $75 million will be invested across the company’s social justice pillars over the course of 5 years — $15 million annually from 2021-2025. I spend much of my time deep in policy advocacy, and the session reminded me how vital social impact investment is to addressing criminal justice system issues.
Why do you feel it is important that business leaders, justice experts and campaign organizations come together to address the issues facing our criminal legal system?
Transformative change requires collective action. Issues in the criminal justice system impact every aspect of a community’s wellbeing, including economic development. Coming together to hear other stakeholders’ perspectives on criminal justice system issues can help inform actionable solutions and provide access to a broader range of resources and expertise. We saw that firsthand at Metro Atlanta Chamber through our close partnership with Georgia Justice Project on SB 288, 2020 record restriction legislation, and subsequent legislative efforts to reduce barriers to the workforce.
What did you feel were the most important takeaways from AWJ 2022?
Implementing a robust second chance hiring program is an iterative process, and businesses don’t have to go at it alone. The same justice experts and advocates working to change policy can (and are more than willing to) provide guidance on the programmatic aspects of second chance hiring.
What are you looking forward to hearing more about next year?
I look forward to hearing more about state-level policy advocacy efforts to expand record restriction and business leaders’ engagement in those efforts. I’d also like to learn more about occupational licensing reforms and businesses’ perspectives on such reforms.
