May 16, 2025
A lineup of powerhouse criminal justice reform advocates are taking to NYC for the third UJC Summit.
The United Justice Coalition (UJC) and Roc Nation have a powerhouse speaker lineup for the third Justice Coalition Summit.
Taking place at The Shed in New York City on May 30, this year’s summit will feature over 30 leaders, advocates, and changemakers for a full day of powerful conversations on criminal justice reform, a press release announced. Speakers include UJC Advisor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, who will deliver the invocation, along with IMPACT Strategies CEO Angela Rye, CNN anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
Panel discussions will explore urgent issues at the heart of America’s fractured justice system, including probation, prison, and parole reform, police misconduct, the link between mental health and incarceration, and the unique challenges faced by women behind bars. The sessions will lean on insights from industry experts, personal accounts, and actionable steps toward real change.
One of the featured panels, inspired by the Corruption Uncovered podcast, will explore the widespread corruption within the Kansas City, Kansas, police department under the leadership of the late former detective Roger Golubski, 71. Accused of decades-long misconduct, Golubski was found dead in Kansas just hours before jury selection was set to begin in December 2024.
Survivors of abuse and justice advocates featured in the podcast will share their stories in a powerful discussion examining what paths to justice remain when accountability breaks down—a reality all too common in cases of police misconduct. The families of Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Jean, and John Albers will also take part in the summit to share firsthand accounts of the lasting pain of losing their loved ones to police-involved shootings and their ongoing pursuit of justice. They will share their stories while also offering actionable steps to bring communities together to create meaningful change.
A vibrant community exhibition space will be a centerpiece of the summit, aimed at bringing together over 40 nonprofit and advocacy groups from across the nation to engage with attendees and spotlight their work. Participating organizations include the American Probation and Parole Association, Center for Policing Equity, Children of Promise, Dream.org, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Sheriff’s Association, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, Right on Crime, Gathering for Justice, Ladies of Hope Ministries, Until Freedom, and many others.
The new wave of speakers follows UJC’s announcement earlier this year that radio and television personality Charlamagne tha God, MSNBC host Ari Melber, and Innocence Project Co-Founder Barry Scheck would be taking the stage to speak on the crucial need for criminal and social justice reform.
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