Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Rye, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and more at the Roc Nation 2026 UJC Summit

Short N Sweet Ent

Photo Credit: UJC

Today, October 17, Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition (UJC) hosted the fourth UJC Summit at The Shed in New York City, welcoming more than 1500 attendees for a day of meaningful conversations on criminal justice reform. The summit brought together almost 40 changemakers, including Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Rye, Dr. Jelani Cobb, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Tamika Mallory, Topeka K. Sam, Janine Yass, Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Dr. Jessica Clemons, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, City of New York, Renita Francois and more. 

Throughout the day, speakers explored pressing issues including probation and parole reform, police accountability, mental health, and the distinct challenges women face within the system. Beyond the panels and fireside conversations, attendees had the opportunity to connect with 40 national and local nonprofit organizations such as Battered Women’s Justice Project, Children of Promise, Center for Policing Equity, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, REFORM Alliance and more. The exhibition provided access to valuable resources and opportunities for community engagement and advocacy.

Highlights from the day included:

• Angela Rye (Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies) moderated a moving discussion with families impacted by police violence, highlighting the systemic barriers they face in seeking justice and support, which social justice activist Tamika Mallory made an introduction. 

  
  

• An impactful mental health panel featuring Charlamagne Tha God (co-host of The Breakfast Club and Founder of The Mental Wealth Alliance) as moderator, alongside Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren and Dr. Jessica Clemons, exploring how treatment and community-based care can transform mental health crisis response and reduce unnecessary arrests and incarceration.

  
  

• Dr. Jelani Cobb (Dean of Columbia Journalism School) leading an engaging conversation with Janine Yass (Co-Founder of the Yass Prize) and education advocates on how access to education can prevent justice system involvement and create

  opportunities for incarcerated individuals and those returning home.

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Photo Credit: UJC

• A powerful conversation on alternative sentencing brought together Judge Victoria Pratt, Rashad Robinson(social justice leader and author of From Presence to Power), and Hon. Aramis N. Donell (Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution) to explore restorative justice, diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration.

  
  

• Topeka K. Sam (Founder and CEO of The Ladies of Hope Ministries) moderating a conversation on women’s experiences with incarceration, reentry challenges, and pathways to a second chance with Michelle West (justice advocate), Starling Thomas (social justice advocate) and Marcy Croft (Founder, MJ Legal, P.A.). 

  
  

• Award-winning journalist Dan Slepian receiving the UJC Award for his decades-long work uncovering wrongful convictions and exposing systemic failures in the U.S. criminal legal system.

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Photo Credit: UJC

Students from various organizations and schools also attended the summit, including Covenant House, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, Medgar Evers College Preparatory School, El Puente Middle School - Youth Council, Smart from the Start, Stamford Cradle to Career and Boys and Girls Club of Stamford.

Head over to their website for more information and resources from the United Justice Coalition Summit

Courtesy of The United Justice Coalition Summit

Until Next Post... Coach Tay