Equal Justice USA

Jamila Hodge, EJUSA's CEO: Justice should heal, not harm.

“Radical simply means "grasping things at the root.” — Angela Davis

Jamila Hodge, EJUSA's CEO: Cities that focus on community needs are the ones experiencing steep declines in violence and crime. That's the kind of data that should be part of the story the media tells about our justice system.

Bogalusa has a rich nuanced history of public safety, community organizing, and racial equity advocacy.

We are proud to have worked with Bogalusa community members in holding conversations, analyzing themes, and creating a roadmap for change.

Through the whole process, Bogalusa residents are the experts of their own community. We know that people who are closest in proximity to the issues are also closest to the solutions.

Thank you Bogalusa community, for a rich day of action, report release, and partnership in the work to build community-led public safety solutions.

"I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy; a strength; a secret cup of gladness." — Ossie Davis
📍New Orleans

Connecting with community leaders.

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize that Latino voices are often left out of the gun violence prevention conversation. This month, we honor the contributions of Latino leaders and advocates working tirelessly for justice and equity.

Across the country, community groups, health departments, and cities are pioneering new approaches to reduce violence and build safe and healthy communities.
📍New Jersey

Jamila Hodge, EJUSA's CEO: How can we ensure that people who are incarcerated return home with healing, and not harm? Let's build solutions for TRUE rehabilitation and accountability.

Act now: Make 1 call to protect funding for crime victims.

A 40% cut to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding is forcing critical victim service programs to reduce or shut down. Domestic violence shelters, r**e crisis centers, and child advocacy programs are struggling to stay open.

Help us fight back by urging Congress to support the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (S.4514/H.R.8061).

Check out this beautiful report from The Just Trust. And, no, not just because Neha Raval talks about our perfect merger that has made the Restorative Justice Project such a vital part of our vision and work. The Just Trust is an incredible partner with a clear appreciation for the different ways that we need to build safety.

2023–2024 Report Criminal justice reform is more than ending mass incarceration – it’s a strategy to proactively create safer, stronger communities.

Watch live at 1 p.m. ET: Join us for a presentation on the history of the death penalty in the U.S. and where we're at now. Learn how the relates to race, its cost, innocence, botched executions, and the desires of victim's family members.

Death Penalty 101 Join us for a presentation and Q&A on the history of the death penalty in the United States and an overview of where things are now. We will discuss how the death penalty relates to race, the financial cost, innocence, and botched executions.

Collaborating for a better future.

EJUSA partners with local organizations throughout the nation that are aiming to change broken law enforcement approaches and work to increase public investment in effective, community-based strategies that break cycles of trauma and address the root causes of violence in the hardest hit communities.

Pictured: EJUSA's Mona Cadena and Will Simpson

Botham Jean should be alive today.

"This morning I worried about getting my girls to school on time, making sure they finished homework, and didn't forget their lunch boxes. No parent should have to worry about whether their child will survive a school shooting and make it home safely.

I don't want to keep responding to mass shootings. But more importantly, we cannot become desensitized to this national epidemic. Gun violence kills more of our children than any other cause. We are failing our kids. Whether it's the horrific Apalachee massacre or the everyday violence found in disinvested neighborhoods, we can and must do better for our kids."
— Jami Hodge, CEO

EJUSA partners with local grassroots organizations and national groups to advocate for greater public investment in effective, community-based violence intervention efforts that reduce reliance on policing and prisons.
📍Baton Rouge

Death sentences and executions have sharply declined over the past two decades. At the same time, concerns about the morality, fairness, and history of the are growing. Keep involved and we can finally abolish it.

Opinion | America Does Not Need the Death Penalty President Biden should fulfill his promise to work to pass legislation to end the use of capital punishment for federal crimes.

"Elevating the needs and voices of survivors from marginalized communities is a cornerstone of EJUSA’s mission..." — Jamila Hodge

We believe that greater understanding between the community and the police combined with trauma-informed police strategies will reduce the violent harm of over-policing and use of force.
📍Baton Rouge

ONLINE EVENT: Beyond the Surface: Public Health and Community Safety in St. Louis

Join us tomorrow at Noon Central Time on Zoom! This event will feature experts like Lisa LaGrone, Dr. LJ Punch, and Marcus McAllister discussing innovative approaches to violence prevention and community safety in St. Louis that could be applicable to YOUR community. Register now to join us live or get the recording later!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Beyond the Surface: Public Health and Community Safety in St. Louis. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join EJUSA for a conversation about building community safety and public health in St. Louis, featuring Lisa LaGrone - Founder and Director of Safe Streets Safe Neighborhoods; Marcus McAllister - nationally known speaker, consultant, and expert in the field of violence interruption; and Dr. LJ Punch...

This Labor Day, we honor the hard work and dedication of all workers, including those advocating for justice and equity in our communities. Let's continue striving for fair and just working conditions for everyone.

Elijah McClain should be alive today.

Our new report "A Roadmap for Change" is live! Discover how local voices are creating a blueprint for a safer, thriving Bogalusa. This report provides a path owned by Bogalusa to address violence and build a city where everyone is safe and thriving.

Pathways to Healing: Bogalusa Community Conversations A Free Online Resource to Unlock Funding: Getting Grant Ready empowers organizations to craft compelling grant proposals aligned with their missions and secure the funding needed to sustain their programs.

Learning and reflecting

"Black joy is the heartbeat and pulse of our survival, our resiliency, our perseverance, our health and wellbeing." – Anita Dashiell-Sparks
📍New Orleans

We are proud to share that our team members Will Simpson, Colleen Cunningham, Mona Cadena, Tonjie Reese, Josie Alexander, and Zayid Muhammad recently attended the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention's 2024 Community Violence Intervention Conference in Los Angeles. The event was an incredible opportunity for learning, collaboration, and advancing our mission of building safer communities through effective violence prevention strategies. Thank you, GIFFORDS for hosting such a valuable event!