Toward Racial Justice Series Continues with an Exploration of Juvenile Justice
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Staff
WITF’s series of virtual community conversations hosted by Charles Ellison addressing systemic racism and injustice in Central Pennsylvania and beyond continues Thursday, September 10 at 7pm.
Watch live:
Join us as we examine juvenile justice. Youth of color are overrepresented in many aspects of the juvenile justice system, from arrest to court referral and confinement and remain far more likely to be committed than white youth. Between 2003 and 2013 (the most recent data available), the racial gap between Black and white youth in secure commitment increased by 15%.
During this conversation, we’ll explore the reasons why youth of color are more likely to end up in the juvenile justice system, and why access to education, healthcare and housing directly correlate with the racial disparities of incarcerated youth.
Panelists include:
- Steve Bishop — Senior Associate of the Juvenile Justice Strategy Group, Center for Systems Innovation at the Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Robert Saleem Holbrook — Former Juvenile Lifer & Current Executive Director of the Abolitionist Law Center
- Tiffany Sizemore — Assistant Professor of Clinical Legal Education, Duquesne University School of Law
- Lenore Wyant — Racial & Ethnic Disparities Coordinator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention-PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Our goal is to elevate underrepresented voices with special emphasis on giving young people a platform to discuss their views. Race and racism are uncomfortable topics. Our objective is to help serve as a catalyst for change by bringing people together to discuss possible solutions and inspire collective action.
The committee of co-organizers include:
- Major Kristal M. Turner-Childs — Director, Bureau of Forensic Services, Pennsylvania State Police & WITF Board Member
- Mark Rhodes — Diversity Educator and Strategist, Owner of Key Learning Consultants and a Commissioner with the City of York Human Relations Commission
- Jankail Adams — Parent Liaison for the PA State GEAR UP-3 program, Harrisburg School District
- Sharia Benn — President & Executive Artistic Director of Sankofa African American Theatre Company
- Corey Dupree — Chief Operating Officer at The Bridge: Eco Village in Harrisburg
Join us on Thursday, September 24 from 7:00 to 8:30pm as we continue the Toward Racial Justice series with an in-depth look at this year’s election.
The entire series will be live streamed and recorded so those unable to attend can watch, listen and share. Visit witf.org/racialjustice to watch past conversations and find additional resources.