Before joining RBIJ, I spent over a decade working to improve access to indigent defense and civil legal aid for poor and underserved communities in the U.S. and across the globe. In that work to advance equal access to justice for all, I found the words of Eleanor Roosevelt as the clearest distillation of what the justice for all movement is really about: Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.
At RBIJ, her words continue to inspire. Working in partnership with the business community, the justice community, and individuals impacted by our flawed systems of punishment and incarceration, RBIJ is committed to advancing a vision of justice that works fairly for all sides.
And as I mark Women’s History Month reflecting on this remarkable woman’s contribution to fairness and justice across the globe it is not lost on me that our work to reform systems of justice is increasingly in service of women. Indeed, women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population, and of them, women of color and LGBTQ+ women make up a majority. These women endure limited access to healthcare and mental health services, as well as painful separation from their families.
That’s why at RBIJ we are fortunate to be guided by amazing women leaders who sit at the intersection of business and justice, some of whom have direct experience with the justice system. Leaders like our Board of Directors and Advisory Council Members: Michelle Cirocco of Televerde, Katie Dash of CBI, Caitlin Heising of Heising-Simons Foundation, Harriet Molyneaux of HSM, Jo-Ann Wallace of NLADA Mutual Insurance Company, RRG, and Dr. Topeka K. Sam of The Ladies of Hope Ministries. And of course our founder, Celia Ouellette, who launched RBIJ from her experience as a death penalty lawyer and her recognition that businesses can help make our systems of justice more fair and equitable for all.
Over the past year, RBIJ has profiled and lifted up amazing women through our events, Spotlight features, and our flagship American Workforce & Justice Summit and we encourage you to take a look across our platforms to learn more about how they are contributing to creating justice for all sides.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Maha Jweied
CEO, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
P.S.Next month is Second Chance Month! Are you a business with a fair chance hiring story or planned events you’d like to share? RBIJ is gearing up to spotlight businesses committed to fair chance hiring and we’d love to hear from you! Please click here to share.
Join RBIJ, Fines and Fees Justice Center, and Uber for a conversation with business leaders and policy experts about how ending debt-based driver's license suspensions can strengthen the economy.
RBIJ is working to support bipartisan automatic record sealing campaigns across the country. This month saw some big wins – businesses joined RBIJ in testifying in support of Clean Slate at hearings in Missouri and Maryland, highlighting how this legislation will strengthen the economy. RBIJ CEO Maha Jweied penned a Letter to the Editor, published in the Boston Globe, on the impact Clean Slate would have for businesses across the country. Workforce & Justice Alliance member Flagger Force also published an op-ed in the Baltimore Post-Examiner in support of Maryland’s legislation.
Death Penalty Abolition
Sir Richard Branson, co-founder of the Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty campaign, shared an update with campaign signatories about the critical role business leaders have to play in ending capital punishment. Read the letter, as well as additional highlights from the campaign, here. Ready to stand in support of ending the death penalty? Sign the Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty here.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has the power to commute the sentences for 136 individuals currently on death row before he leaves office at the end of the year. To sign on to RBIJ’s business letter in support, email maggie@rbij.org.
RBIJ is also working with businesses to support bipartisan legislation, backed by a record number of lawmakers, which would end capital punishment in Ohio. To sign on to RBIJ’s business letter in support, email morgan@rbij.org.
Driver's License Reform
Ohio is well-positioned to pass bipartisan legislation that would end debt-based driver’s license suspensions, opening access to employment for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who may be needlessly pushed out of the labor market. To sign on to RBIJ’s business letter in support, email morgan@rbij.org.
Occupational License Reform
RBIJ is supporting occupational licensing reform campaigns in Ohio – where the proposed bill passed through committee unanimously and is now waiting on a hearing in appropriations – and Tennessee. To support either of these efforts, email morgan@rbij.org.
INCLUSIVE HIRING UPDATES
Staff from the Unlock Potential Employment Mixer in Atlanta
Unlock Potential Employment Mixers Jumpstart Economic Mobility for Opportunity Youth in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta
RBIJ hosted three Unlock Potential Employment Mixers this month, aiming to disrupt the youth-to-prison pipelines in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. At each event, local employers and community organizations joined forces to create meaningful career opportunities for young people facing economic barriers and risk factors for justice involvement. Nearly 50 youth participated, many applying on-the-spot for positions at Walmart, Ben & Jerry's, Burlington, Delta Air Lines, Flagger Force, Hilton, Sam's Club, and Virgin Hotels.
RBIJ's Workforce & Justice Alliance (WJA) is a community of businesses committed to using their platforms, networks, and leverage to advance systemic change in the justice system, to share best practices with their peers, and to increase the number of companies taking steps to remove workforce barriers for justice-impacted individuals.
Small Business Majority Polls Businesses on Criminal Justice Reform
Workforce & Justice Alliance founding member Small Business Majority released polling on support by small businesses for driver’s license reform and occupational licensing in: Colorado, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Second Chance Hiring for Small Businesses Webinar Hosted by Small Business Majority & RBIJ
Workforce & Justice Alliance members are invited to attend our upcoming webinar on Second Chance Hiring for Small Businesses co-sponsored by the Small Business Majority on April 9 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT. This webinar will focus on the benefits of Second Chance Hiring for small businesses and include an overview of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Not a WJA member? Join now for access to special events like this one!
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