Ohio State Bar Foundation to host ‘The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System’ virtual symposium

The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is pleased to announce The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System, a virtual symposium that will build understanding around barriers in the justice system, the populations being affected and opportunities for change on an individual and systemic level.

The program takes place virtually April 26 from noon-3:30 p.m.

The program includes an introductory session featuring New York Times bestselling author of "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness" and CNN Host and Senior Legal Analyst Laura Coates. Coates will be joined by Karhlton Moore, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, US Department of Justice, for a discussion that will explore her firsthand experience as a Black prosecutor, where she quickly found that the "pursuit of justice creates injustice."

“I’m grateful to the Ohio State Bar Foundation for providing this important forum,” said Coates. “We must continue to challenge systemic inequality and remain vigilant to ensure justice for all who participate in the system. I hope that sharing my experiences will offer insight into the challenges that we face.”

General admission to the Color of Justice is $25. Ohio CLE and CEU credits are offered for this program (2.75 hours pending approval) for Ohio lawyers and social workers, but the public is encouraged to attend. Limited funds are available to cover the cost of registration for those experiencing financial hardship. Register at www.osbf.org/color-of-justice.

In addition, the Color of Justice will provide two panel discussions. In the first panel, national policy experts will explore the intersection of race and justice, how race is particularly impacted by criminal law reform proposals, and how courts can actively reduce implicit bias and other barriers to justice. This panel is moderated by Michele Worobiec, 2022 OSBF Fellow. Panelists include:

• Brandon Buskey, Director of Criminal Law Reform Project, ACLU, New York

• Kyle Strickland, Senior Legal Analyst at the Ohio State University Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity

• Paula Hannaford-Agor, Director of the Center for Jury Studies, National Center for State Courts.

"The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System couldn't come at a better time," said Michele Worobiec, Founder/CEO of Silta Strategy LLC. "This event builds upon the investment made through the OSBF’s Racial Justice Initiative by taking a critical look at policies and practices that impede justice. These discussions will help overcome these barriers, transform our court system and strengthen communities."

The second panel, moderated by Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt, Tenth Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio, will explore how Ohio courts are implementing science and best practices to reduce over-incarceration and provide access to justice for all who enter the legal system, while keeping communities safe. Panelists include:

• Justice Michael Donnelly, Supreme Court of Ohio

• Judge Nicole L. Sanders, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas and 2022 OSBF Fellow

• Zach Klein, Columbus City Attorney

• Doug Berman, Professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and Executive Director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.

“The Color of Justice Symposium will reveal how critical it is for us to identify and challenge racism,” said Judge David A. Hejmanowski, OSBF President. “I appreciate the thoughtful analysis and practical advice offered from each of our policy leaders. Understanding how these challenges impact justice outcomes is a critical step in creating a more just legal system.”

In August 2020, the OSBF created a Racial Justice Initiative to provide grant funding to support projects focused on long-lasting impact and institutional change for racial justice. Since then, 788,865 has been provided in grant funding to support these projects. The next deadline for the Racial Justice Initiative grants application is July 15.

In addition to grantmaking, each year the OSBF welcomes a new class of Fellows, a dedicated group of attorneys who volunteer their time, talent and treasure to advance the law and build a better justice system through community service. This group of exemplary attorneys design their own class experience centered around a legal topic they choose.

The 2022 OSBF Fellows chose to focus on race-based disparate treatment in the justice system, and the result of their efforts is the Color of Justice program.

“The Color of Justice Symposium is a reflection of the OSBF’s commitment to racial justice,” said Lori L. Keating, OSBF Executive Director. “We are proud of the OSBF Fellows for investing their time and talents to develop education about racial disparities within the justice system. This program is the culmination of their tireless work.”

About the Ohio State Bar Foundation: The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is a 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization and the largest bar foundation in the U.S. Through our grants and programs, the OSBF works to educate the public about the rule of law and help build a better justice system. Since 1992, the Ohio State Bar Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants statewide. The OSBF also hosts an annual statewide awards program to recognize attorneys who give back to their communities through service, as well as a Fellows program, featuring a select group of attorneys who give their time, talent, and treasure to advance the OSBF’s mission.

For more information about the Ohio State Bar Foundation, please visit www.OSBF.org.