Announcing the Speakers for our Reimagining the Next Chapter in America’s Youth Justice Story Panel

We are so excited to announce the next lineup of speakers for our upcoming America’s Youth Justice Story national forum on September 10th!

Facilitated by Kelly D. Williams, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Youth Advocate Programs, the “Reimagining the Next Chapter of America’s Youth Justice Story” panel will explore the inspiring efforts of those working tirelessly to create and advocate for practices that are restorative, just, and lead to better futures for our youth, families, and communities.

Joining Kelly on the panel will be:

Clinton Lacey, President and CEO of the Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement (CM3). You can learn more about CM3 on their site. They focus on supporting Credible Messenger Mentors – community rooted natural leaders who have successfully navigated their own prior involvement in the justice system, who share similar life experiences with current justice-involved young people, and are poised to have transformative impact on an individual, family, community and systemic level – and maximizing their impact around the nation.
Sonnja Brown, Youth- and Family-advocate and Commissioner for the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Sonnja works as a peer support specialist with other families helping them navigate the child serving systems and connects them to community resources.

Nikolas and Nicole, Youth- and Family-advocates . We encourage you to read about their story in this impactful story on the Neighborhood Advocate. Both are remarkable individuals who reflect the importance and the hopeful possibilities of working directly with families.
Theresa Wright, Chicago-based YAP Advocate. Theresa is transforming lives in her work with the Choose to Change program in Chicago. Featured in the story linked above, you can also read about her work with T-Man in this article on Trade-Offs.

Learn more about each of the speakers below, and check out the registration site here. We hope you can join us!

Philanthropy-Backed Chicago Violence Reduction Program Fueled a Life-Changing Restart for Nikolas and His Family

We urge you to read this impactful story on the Neighborhood Advocate about a remarkable young man, Nikolas, his mother Nicole, and YAP Advocate, Theresa Wright.

Rewriting the Next Chapter with Credible Messengers for and from the Community

Joining Nikolas, Nicole, and Theresa Wright on the panel will be Clinton Lacey and Sonnja Brown, both individuals who have led lives of innovative and tireless advocacy for youth and families.

Clinton Lacey, President and CEO of the Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement (CM3). CM3 focuses on supporting Credible Messenger Mentors – community rooted natural leaders who have successfully navigated their own prior involvement in the justice system, who share similar life experiences with current justice-involved young people, and are poised to have transformative impact on an individual, family, community and systemic level – and maximizing their impact around the nation.

For more than three decades, Clinton has worked to directly help children and families in governmental and non-profit organizations, including as Director of the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), Washington DC’s cabinet-level juvenile justice agency; Deputy Commissioner of New York City Department of Probation; and roles at the W. Haywood Burns Institute, the Vera Institute of Justice, and the Friends of Island Academy.

Sonnja Brown, Youth- and Family-advocate and Commissioner for the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Sonnja has extensive experience as a family member supporting her grandson who became legally involved at 14 years of age. He was convicted of a felony with no prior record. The felony has marked him for life placing insurmountable barriers classifying him as a second class citizenship with no redemption possible. Sonnja works as a peer support specialist with other families helping them navigate the child serving systems and connects them to community resources. Sonnja lives with her husband, youngest daughter and grandson now 24 years old.