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criminal justice reform

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The CBC Introduces New Bill to Help Black Girls Pursue Careers in STEM

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) introduced a new bill that strives to decrease employment and criminal justice disparities in the Black community. Named the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020, the legislation is divided into two parts, reports NewsOne . The jobs portion covers a wide range of issues, including workforce development, housing, wealth building, and education. Specifically, the bill will help Black girls with opportunities to pursue careers in STEM fields, among other incentives like Black-owned businesses, personal finance, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities . With the inclusion of the CBC’s Justice in Policing Act of 2020, the multi-tiered second section details criminal justice reform in various ways, such as improving transparency in policing and creating meaningful, structural change, the CBC legislation reads. Ultimately, the Jobs and Justice Act of 2020 aims to “increase the upward social mobility of Black families, and help ensure equal protection...

Sep 16, 2020

A Second Look at Low-Level Marijuana Convictions May Be the Key to Opening Doors of an Inaccessible Industry

Kim Foxx, the state attorney for Cook County, Illinois, is taking a look at low-level cannabis convictions and preparing to vacate them. The motion, filed by Foxx in December , will help several thousand low-level offenders to move on with their lives. Low-level marijuana convictions are those involving an offender in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana. These offenses are classified as Class 4 felonies, and will result in automatic expunction. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act , which takes effect on Jan. 1, allows individuals to legally possess up to 30 grams of marijuana. The efforts set in motion by Foxx involve Chief Judge Timothy Evans and Code for America, a nonprofit organization that works to positively impact the lives of Americans. According to Code for America, to expunge a record is to “ remove a significant barrier to work, education, and housing for people ,” which undoubtedly gives low-level offenders a second chance. Many of these offenders are Black and...

Dec 23, 2019