America’s Youth Justice Story: Unearthing the Past and Reimagining the Next Chapter

Text of Forum's Title over paint brush and ripped paper in red white and blue

What can we do to ensure that the tragedies of our past don’t write the story of our future?

The Center for Youth Justice at Georgetown University and Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. is proud to announce registration is now open for the 2026 Janet Reno Forum on September 10th! “America’s Youth Justice Story: Unearthing the Past and Reimagining the Next Chapter” will be an in-person, one-day conference held in the heart of Washington, DC on Georgetown University’s Capitol Hill Campus. During this 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the Forum will explore the past, present, and future of America’s Youth Justice story through the lens of truth-telling and creative expression. 

Through a series of plenary sessions, we’ll meet storytellers, leaders, community-members, artists, and advocates as they each, in their own ways, serve as truth tellers to effectuate change and rewrite the next chapter of youth justice. We’ll unearth a forgotten, painful past, and survey the work underway to bring dignity to those who our society has literally buried in unmarked sites. We’ll look clear-eyed at the challenges and harms that are present in today’s youth legal system, but also at the inspiring efforts of those working tirelessly to create practices that are restorative, just, and lead to better futures. We’ll also dive into the cathartic power that art can have to shift perspectives, nurture empathy, and help heal harms through an array of creative expressions including an art gallery, spoken word, music, and more from justice-driven and system-impacted artists.

Finally, the Shay Bilchik Award for Innovation in Youth Justice and the Janet Reno Women’s Leadership Award will recognize two individuals who have contributed to rewriting and reimagining a better, more hopeful American youth justice story. Details of panelists, guest speakers, and artists will be announced in the following months!

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/America-Youth-Justice-Story