May 1, 2026

Please be reminded to RSVP for our May 11 general meeting. The Zoom link will be sent to the email address of your RSVP prior to the meeting, which will begin at 1:00 p.m.

What actions should you take before Monday, May 11?

  1. RSVP your attendance today!
  2. What’s on your advocacy platform? Please add your advocacy issues to the Response Form so that they will appear on the Shared Advocacy spreadsheet. Shared Advocacy means Shared Progress!
  3. Invite others to attend our EMI Georgia Network general meetings. That's how we grow the network and the support we need to reform our criminal and youth justice systems.
  4. Make it MINE and engage in the campaign! Changing the Narrative: Breaking the Preschool to Prison Pipeline

April 13, 2026

  • Guest Presenter - Jalita Johnson of Phoenix of Resilience Foundation Inc. and Kaizen J Consulting LLC will present on the housing and supportive services they provide for men and women ages 35 and older who are navigating reentry, recovery, or other significant life transitions.

  • Guest Presenter - Interactive Feedback and Insights Session with the Chattahoochee Brick Forced Labor Project facilitated by MASS (Model of Architecture Serving Society) to gather feedback and insights from those most affected on the memorial to acknowledge Atlanta's suppressed history of racial terror, forced labor (convict leasing labor), systemic injustice and its connection to modern-day incarceration.

    Your voice is needed for this work to build a site that bridges interaction and support for programming across the larger community and create an authentic and credible teaching moment for residents, tourists, and other site visitors. 

March  9, 2026

  • Understanding CHINS (Child in Need of Services / HB 1025)
  • Crossover Day – What legislation survived and crossed over from one chamber to the other? And what are our Bad News Bears – “Just wait ‘til next year!” bills?
  • EMI GA Network - Planning for the landscape of justice reform in Georgia

Links from meeting:

February 16, 2026

As we announced at our January 2026 meeting, we are holding a special strategic planning meeting for EMI GA Network this month, and your presence and input are essential to making this process productive and successful.  Thank you for your participation and support in the mission and work of EMI GA Network to effect positive change in the areas of youth and criminal justice.  And we hope that you will continue to serve with us as we assess our next steps in this fundamental endeavor.   

Our facilitator will be Lesley Grady.  Lesley is a Principal with Chrysalis Lab, a premier social equity consulting firm. Lesley is described by her colleagues as a “catalyst,” “connector,” “synthesizer,” and “strategist.” Holding an MA in Public Policy and Economic Development, she has provided strategic and visionary leadership for over three decades as a senior executive within major philanthropic and economic development organizations. A highly respected and sought after advisor, Lesley’s professional and civic experiences have profoundly equipped her to leverage her capacities, relationships, and passions to establish and sustain authentic connections with a cross-section of diverse leaders to facilitate positive social change.

 

January 12, 2026

Once again, we must bring justice reform to the forefront of the legislative agenda. Every constitutional office is up for election this year, including the governor and state legislators—both House and Senate.  And we need to hear from you about how we move the needle on youth and criminal justice reform! At Monday’s meeting, we are asking that you please share the following information:

  • What advocacy issues are you working on this legislative session?
  • Do you have active or proposed bills for the issue(s)? If so, please share that information.
  • Do you have a Day at the Capitol scheduled for this session?
  • Please share information on any other events/activities that justice reform advocates can support.

Shared Advocacy = Shared Progress!