DR. YUSEF SALAAM OF THE EXONORATED (CENTRAL PARK) FIVE

KEYNOTES THE INAUGURAL NEBRASKA SUMMIT ON JUSTICE & DISPARITIES

A Safe Space to Have Tough and Productive Conversations about Disproportionality in Nebraska’s Justice System

Omaha, NE … Nebraskans are taking a bold step towards a more equitable justice system with the inaugural Nebraska Summit on Justice & Disparities, set to convene at Creighton University’s Harper Center on August 9, 2024. This transformative event will bring together leaders, policymakers, community advocates, and experts dedicated to addressing and combating systemic inequities in Nebraska’s justice system. The Omaha NAACP Branch and the Lincoln NAACP Branch are presenting sponsors for the event and the Omaha Police Department is a leading sponsor for the conference which is expected to draw several hundred attendees. 

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Sentencing Project along with numerous other local and national sources, Nebraska has ranked near the top of states in the nation for the overrepresentation of African Americans incarcerated or under supervision per capita in the criminal justice system as compared to their white counterparts. 2021 Sentencing Project data shows that Nebraska incarcerates Black Citizens at a rate of 9 times that of the White incarceration rate, placing Nebraska among the top 10 states in the country for this disproportionality. Other minority groups including the Native and Latinx communities are also critically overrepresented and the juvenile justice system also displays alarming disparities. Modeled after the Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities, the Nebraska Summit on Justice & Disparities aims to pursue and present best practices for addressing these and other disparities.

Keynoting the Summit is New York Times Best Selling Author and Prison Reform Activist, Dr. Yusef Salaam who in 1989, at just fifteen years old was accused and convicted in the “Central Park Jogger” case along with four other Black and Latinx teenagers. The Five spent years behind bars for crimes they did not commit, until their sentences were overturned in 2002. Now an elected New York City Councilman, Dr. Salaam’s story and advocacy are transformational. 

Other speakers include Rob Jeffreys, the Director of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services; Todd Schmaderer, Omaha Police Chief; Shakur Abdullah, Senior Restorative Justice Intervention Facilitator, The Community Justice Center; Tom Riley, Douglas County Public Defender; and Yohance Christie, Lincoln City Attorney along with the FBI and Department of Justice representatives, legislators, state decision-makers, law enforcement representatives, federal officials, national experts, and community advocates in addressing these pressing issues. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has also been invited.

Betty Andrews, President of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP State Area Conference of Branches and founder of the Summits on Justice & Disparities, says the event’s debut in Nebraska has been welcomed with great enthusiasm. “Over the past 12 years, the Iowa Summit has served as a crucial platform for understanding the complexities of the penal system, significantly impacting city, county, and state justice practices.” She said, "We’ve been collaborating with numerous Nebraska stakeholders, organizations, and officials who are enthusiastic about the opportunity of this Summit to help drive the meaningful change they envision."

The Summit will be a safe space for tough but productive conversations.  Workshops and presentations will delve into crucial topics such as Nebraska’s justice system, juvenile justice, Nebraska’s disproportionality ranking, school to prison pipeline, diversifying juries, racial profiling, community-law enforcement relationships, successful reentry, victim support, mental health, legislative reforms. Additionally, info-sessions will address the intersection of mental health and criminality, the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Access to Justice initiative, evidence-based marijuana reform, innovative public safety, bail viability, minority impact statements and more.

Andrews adds, “The Nebraska Summit on Justice & Disparities is not just a conference; it is a call to action. It offers a unique occasion for attendees to learn about successful models for justice reform and allows participants to have purposeful connection with justice professionals, community, academics, the formerly justice involved, business and nonprofit leaders, and citizens who share a commitment to creating a more just and equitable Nebraska.”

Along with the NAACP and Omaha Police Department, sponsors for the Nebraska Summit on Justice & Disparities include Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Bar Association, the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association, Creighton University, ACLU of Nebraska and iSupply Marketing and support from Nebraska Appleseed. Additional Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Regular registration for the event is $149 through August 6, with a "Just in Time" rate thereafter. Group, student, and vendor rates are also available. CLE’s and CEU's are offered for attendees seeking the education credits. Early registration is encouraged as seating is limited. 

For more information and/or to register or sponsor, visit www.NebraskaJusticeSummit.org, contact us at (515) 288-7171, info@BettyAndrewsMedia.com, or follow us on social media at @NEJusticeSummit.

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