“When businesses speak out against injustice, the world pays attention.”
It’s a phrase we at RBIJ use often — even in our 2025 Impact Report released last week. Early 2026 already shows just how true it is:
The Edelman Trust Barometer, released every January, confirms that businesses remain the most trusted voices in society, exceeding government, media, and NGOs. Businesses carry credibility.
Earlier this month, CEOs from 60+ of Minnesota’s top companies captured global attention with a joint letter urging a deescalation of violence stemming from the U.S. federal government’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Businesses make people take notice.
As we move through February, commemorating Black History Month in the U.S., we’re reminded of the leadership of Black-owned businesses that are pioneering solutions that make the workforce more inclusive toward justice-impacted job seekers. Businesses show us what’s possible.
Truly, the world is paying attention — not only to what businesses have done, but to what they choose to do next.
In 2026, RBIJ is proud to continue supporting the business community as they leverage their platforms for justice. You’ll see the first signs of that work below, and we hope you’ll stay with us as it continues to unfold.
Let's make justice our business,
Maha Jweied
CEO, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
Explore RBIJ’s 2025 Impact Report
We’re proud to share our achievements from 2025 — a year defined by the business community’s dedication to justice — in our second annual impact report. Learn more about how we grew our business network to 775 companies, engaged 177 businesses in policy efforts, and worked with 146 employers on inclusive hiring initiatives. Read here.
Meet 6 Black-Owned Businesses Advancing Justice and Opportunity
In honor of Black History Month, we’re proud to spotlight six Black-owned businesses in our Workforce & Justice Alliance who are leaders in advancing criminal justice reform and employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. Learn more about the businesses here.
Introducing New Advisory Council Members: Jodi Anderson Jr., Caroline Nankinga, Chief Royal Ramey
Jodi Anderson Jr., Caroline Nankinga, and Chief Royal Ramey.
We’re proud to welcome Jodi Anderson Jr., Co-Founder and CEO of rézme; Caroline Nankinga, Senior Director of Talent Development & Inclusion at NBCUniversal;and Chief Royal Ramey, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Programto RBIJ’s Advisory Council. Meet RBIJ's Advisors.
RBIJ Around the World: Uplifting the Business Voice in Justice Reform
RBIJ at Sundance: Bringing Justice-Minded Business Leaders to the Stage
RBIJ CEO Maha Jweied (right) with fellow panelists at the Justice Summit during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
RBIJ proudly cosponsored the inaugural Justice Summit at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, alongside hosts Heretic Films and Rasa Legal, and other cosponsors including The Just Trust and FWD.us. Our CEO, Maha Jweied, joined the panel, “Beyond the Background Check: Supporting Successful Reentry and Building the Future of Work,” with leaders from Flagger Force, the Forestry & Fire Recruitment Program, Goodwill International, and the Council of State Governments.
RBIJ at the UN Forum on Business & Human Rights: Exploring How Business and Investment Can Advance Justice
RBIJ hosted an official side event at the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights Forum in Geneva, examining how bold business leadership and investment power can positively shape justice outcomes worldwide. The gathering was hosted by Alvarez & Marsal and featured speakers from RBIJ, Rights CoLab, and Virgin.
Recent RBIJ Webinars Empower Businesses to Recruit and Support Untapped Talent
From Service to Second Chances: The Role of Business in Veteran Reentry
In November, RBIJ’s convened business leaders for a webinar featuring Brigadier General David “Mac” MacEwen (Director, Veteran’s Justice Commission, Council on Criminal Justice) and Derek O. Small, USN (Ret.) (Director of Military Programs, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation), who highlighted the important role employers play in creating career opportunities for veterans impacted by the justice system. Access the recording.
RBIJ co-hosted this webinar with MENTOR to share how businesses can tap into mentorship networks and resources to strengthen retention, boost employee performance, and help their young employees thrive. Speakers included Itzel Delgado (Senior Program Manager of Social Impact, Fidelity Investments) and Jeronima Nix (Director of Workplace Mentoring, MENTOR).Access the recording.
Calling Business Leaders: Your Voice Can Drive Policy Change Across the U.S.
New legislative sessions in key states are in full swing, and RBIJ is mobilizing business leaders to speak out in support of policies that strengthen the workforce and make the justice system fairer. Whether you’re based in one of the states below or elsewhere, your voice matters. Contact us at policy@rbij.org to get involved.
Massachusetts: Driver’s License Reform Would Put People Back on the Road to Work
The Road to Opportunity Act would end the practice of suspending driver’s licenses for debts unrelated to dangerous driving — a practice that often traps people in a cycle of debt and keeps them from getting to work. The bill has bipartisan support from legislators in the state Senate and among Bay Staters, with 78% favoring its passage. Add your business voice.
Missouri: Business Leaders and Chambers Testify in Support of Clean Slate
California: LUSH Cosmetics Calls on Gov. Newsom to Commute Death Row
LUSH's projection onto a building steps from the California state capitol.
In January, LUSH Cosmetics worked with RBIJ’s Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty campaign to launch an 11-day store activation calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom to commute the state’s death row. In addition to displaying signage and educational materials across all 35 of their California shops, LUSH also organized a massive, five-story projection onto a building just steps from the state capitol in Sacramento. Join the campaign.
Illinois: Clean Slate Signed into Law with Business Support
Clean Slate Illinois has been signed into law, establishing an automated record sealing system for eligible arrest and conviction records — allowing local businesses to tap into a pool of talent ready to reenter the workforce. Thank you to the 10 business leaders and networks who worked with RBIJ to support this legislation!
U.K. Employers Take Action on Fair Chance Hiring
Childhood Convictions Cause Friction for U.K. Employers During Recruitment
The U.K. criminal record system, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), holds onto childhood records well into adulthood, barring people from job opportunities. In December, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy called for reforms to the DBS system, a statement welcomed by advocates including Transform Justice's Penelope Gibbs.
U.K. Business Leaders Join Roundtable on Insurance and Fair Chance Hiring
RBIJ gathered business leaders and insurance experts to discuss how insurance policies can unintentionally deter employers from hiring justice-impacted workers — and the ways these policies could be revised to expand opportunities. Thank you to our host, Alvarez & Marsal, and our speakers from NLADA Mutual Insurance Co. and Unlock.
New Report — From Incarceration to Inclusion: How D.C. Can Lead on Reentry Workforce Innovation
This new report from the Council for Court Excellence and the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA), developed with support from RBIJ, takes a close look at reentry and workforce development programs across the District and outlines practical solutions to strengthen employment pathways for justice-impacted job seekers in D.C. Read the executive summary and full report here.
RBIJ Celebrates Staff in New Roles
Join us in celebrating our staff members’ promotions and new roles. Maggie O’Donnell has been promoted to Chief Programs Officer, leading the planning and implementation of RBIJ’s programmatic work. Nicole Banister has been promoted to Director of Policy & Advocacy, leading our criminal justice reform campaigns at the state and federal levels. Khaya Laidley has been promoted to Special Assistant to the CEO, supporting RBIJ’s development strategy. Heather Guglietti has a new role as Associate on the Policy & Advocacy team, supporting RBIJ’s policy efforts across key states. Learn more about RBIJ’s staff.
Big Thought is bringing together leaders across philanthropy, workforce, and education to expand opportunity for young people. RBIJ’s Inclusive Hiring Manager, Taja Hereford, will lead a session on Employer Partnerships and Youth Hiring Pipelines. Register your interest.
RBIJ Spring Roundtables on AI and Fair Chance Hiring | Washington, D.C. and London, U.K.
RBIJ will host two roundtable events with business leaders about the impact of AI on Fair Chance Hiring in Washington D.C. (Apr. 14) and London (May 13). Space is limited, but if you'd like to join either event, please reach out to lena@rbij.org to register your interest.
RBIJ’s flagship event is back in London this spring! Join us as we unpack how corporate engagement on criminal justice reform benefits all of us — our businesses, our communities, and our economy. Register your interest and explore sponsorship opportunities.
RBIJ Welcomes New Businesses to the Workforce & Justice Alliance
RBIJ’s Workforce & Justice Alliance (WJA) is a groundbreaking community of businesses working to dismantle workforce barriers for justice-impacted individuals and drive justice reform across the country. We just convened for our quarterly meeting in January, and we’d love for you to join us in April. Become a WJA member today to connect with a network of justice-minded businesses and access exclusive resources.
RBIJ is an independent nonprofit organization. Support from donations helps fund our work to improve the criminal justice system.
%20(1).png?upscale=true&width=1080&upscale=true&name=Black-Owned%20Businesses%20(5)%20(1).png)
