On March 16, 2026, IJLA clients, staff, and friends traveled to New York City, where we hosted an evening of conversations at the Classic Stage Company, centered on stories of perseverance from the incarceration capital of the world.

The evening featured firsthand reflections from clients who survived wrongful conviction and unjust punishment, including Jerome Morgan’s powerful evocation of Angola and moving testimony from Cefus Jenkins and Ricky Tisdale about their journeys to and through prison.

Another highlight of the evening was the dynamic conversation between Freedom Reads founder Dwayne Betts and former client Calvin Duncan, exoneree and author of The Jailhouse Lawyer, as they reflected on Duncan’s more than 28 years of wrongful incarceration and his enduring commitment to fighting for the freedom of others.

We are so thankful to our partners who made this event possible:

• Classic Stage Company & Staff
• Emily Di Capua
• Jazz Foundation of America
• Davell Crawford
• Scott Langley
• Reginald Dwayne Betts
• Catering by Creole Soul and Chef Brianne Grinage