Black youth are disproportionately criminalized in our current, modern juvenile justice system. They are five times as likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth, according to data collected by The Sentencing Project  from as recently as 2023. The reasons why are not a mystery: there is bias embedded deep in the foundations of the system. But, how did these patterns develop? How has this country’s history influenced the way Black youth are treated today? Where do we go

It’s been a year since Michigan took a bold step forward in juvenile justice reform by enacting the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package. This piece starts a new series highlighting the progress, challenges, and long-term vision of these reforms, as well as how communities across Michigan are bringing them to life.

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director I recently took a journey—one that was both deeply personal and professionally illuminating—across some of America’s most pivotal civil rights landmarks. This trip was possible thanks to support from the Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency (CCJT),  a Kalamazoo-based group dedicated to fostering transparency and engaging conversations between the community and those in positions of power. As an African American who has always been pas