Represent Justice

We're grateful to our storytellers, partners, funders and you all for helping make 2024 a monumental year for Represent Justice! We're taking time to rest, reflect and recharge as we gear up to continue the fight to change the justice system in 2025.

The Represent Justice team continues to grow! We're excited to announce that Viannca Vélez has joined the organization as our new Communications and Narrative Director. Viannca is a seasoned communications professional with 15 years of experience in media and nonprofit communications strategy who will enhance the way we tell stories, elevate our community of system-impacted leaders, and influence change. Join us in welcoming her to the RJ team!

Yesterday, we teamed up with Lone Star Justice Alliance, Represent Justice, and our UT Austin partners to host Kemba Smith Pradia for an exclusive Q&A following a screening of Kemba—a powerful film about her journey to freedom after wrongful incarceration. Kemba shared how her experiences shaped her into a passionate prison reform advocate, inspiring meaningful conversations about justice and the power of presidential pardons.

We believe that we can change the justice system through the stories of those most impacted by it. This #GivingTuesday we are kicking off a monthlong campaign that will highlight the ways Represent Justice has focused on empowering system-impacted individuals to create narrative power that helps us all reimagine the justice system and demand change. We’ll highlight this inspiring work because we want you to join in building momentum towards a shift in narrative power. We want you to show your solidarity and shared belief in our mission and vision. Please consider making make a gift, no matter how large or small, as a signal to our system-impacted storytellers that you are with them on this journey to end mass incarceration and extreme sentencing. https://lnkd.in/gqdBBgRV

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Represent Justice Speakers Bureau! Through this new program, we will continue to uplift the extraordinary ecosystem of system-impacted movement leaders, artists, campaign leaders, filmmakers, and film participants who work day in and day out with us to transform the legal system. Learn more and host a speaker at https://lnkd.in/guf4wd-N

At Represent Justice, we share in the anxiety and concern that is rippling through our community and through all people who believe in a country filled with compassion, empathy and love. The fear and apprehension we have about what the results of this election mean for justice is not only real, but a painful reminder of how much work is left to be done. As Frederick Douglass stated, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.”  We started our current path four and a half years ago, in the midst of an incredibly difficult political time – a pandemic, civil unrest due to murders at the hands of police, and an endless stream of narratives about punishment coming from the White House, as well as local elected leaders across the country. What struck me was the love shared by our Ambassadors, and how they supported one another through thick and thin, amplifying voices and building a community of stories we could rely on for strength and solidarity. It was all the infrastructure we needed. There are no secrets or shortcuts in the road ahead. The need for us to connect now is greater than ever. The solution will be to surround ourselves with the opposite of the feelings of today. As feelings of defeat, isolation and discouragement pass, we will return to encouraging each other, inspiring each other, remembering our history, and sharing our triumphs, however small they may feel. As during that difficult time, our feelings and commitment at Represent Justice remain the same; we will continue empowering those impacted by unjust systems until they can speak truth collectively, with dignity and self-determination. Building the power of people through systems of love and accountability will win. We are not strangers to one another. We are not starting from scratch. And we are not finished. Daniel Forkkio CEO, Represent Justice

We are so proud of our Advocacy & Partnerships Manager, Akiesha Anderson, J.D., MPA! Congratulations, we know you’re going to rock it!

📽️ Centered on the belief that film has the unique power to spark and activate collective change, we hosted an enriching filmmakers lunch during the NMV Summit to bring together trailblazers, innovators, and changemakers who are making significant impact in the film realm. 🎥 Presented by Michelle Satter and David Latt on behalf of the Michael Latt Legacy Fund, we were thrilled to award the inaugural Ignite Award to "A Million Dollar Cage" filmmakers Kent G. Mendoza and Kyndra Kennedy Pruitt, the 1st Runner Up Catalyst Award to "When They Come For Us" filmmaker Andre Muir, and the 2nd Runner Up Spark Award to "Flight" filmmaker Kia Moses. 🎞️ In attendance were filmmakers and changemakers including Franklin Leonard, Anne Lai, Boots Riley, and Deniese Davis. 🥂 Congratulations to the filmmakers--we look forward to watching you next film! cc: Represent Justice Daniel Forkkio kweliTV, Inc. DeShuna Spencer Jessica Salinas Carlissia N. Graham Phillip Sanders Callie Chamberlain Yasmine Laurent, MBA, SHRM-SCP Carlos Emmanuel Salinas Paxton Paganelli Abigail Leung

Help us give a warm welcome to the 2024 Ambassador class! Spanning the country, these future filmmakers are on the frontlines of justice reform across a multitude of issues from alternatives to incarceration to youth justice and everything in between. Show them some 💙💛

An incredible opportunity just opened on our team! ⏬ Deadline to apply is 12pm EST on Wednesday, July 31st.