Justice, Unity, and Hope: Highlights from the Deskovic Foundation’s Third Annual Spring Gala

On the evening of May 8, 2025, the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice hosted its third annual Spring Gala at the elegant Westchester Manor in New York. The event brought together exonerees, advocates, journalists, and supporters in a powerful celebration of freedom, resilience, and the urgent mission to end wrongful convictions.

The night’s keynote address was delivered by NBC 4 New York’s award-winning investigative reporter Sarah Wallace, whose decades-long career in journalism has been defined by her commitment to uncovering injustice. With 21 Emmy® Awards, a George Foster Peabody Award, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and three Robert Greene Awards for Investigative Journalism, Wallace's presence underscored the media's critical role in holding systems accountable. Her words reminded everyone that storytelling can be a force for reform—and redemption.

The program featured a series of deeply moving presentations. Jeffrey Deskovic, the Foundation’s founder and namesake—who was exonerated after serving 16 years for a crime he didn’t commit—spoke passionately about the growing national movement to overhaul the justice system. Attorney Oscar Michelen, a longtime legal advocate for the wrongfully convicted, shared insights into the legal battles that continue to shape the lives of so many.

Filmmaker Jia Rizvi, whose work centers on the human toll of wrongful convictions, spoke about the role of art and media in shifting public perception and policy, and shared a moving clip of her upcoming film, Sixteen Years. A presence that highlighted the vital intersection of storytelling and justice.

One of the most emotional moments of the night came from exonerees from across the country, many of whom are now working on the front lines of justice reform. Their testimonials were raw, heartbreaking, and inspiring—real-life reminders of why this work matters. A contingent of exonerees who are part of the Organization of Exonerees from Michigan, Roderic Pippen, Duane Williams, and Lavone Hill, made the journey to New York to stand in solidarity, their presence a symbol of the powerful community that has grown out of shared struggle.

To close the evening, The Lovepools delivered a vibrant musical performance that brought joy, healing, and energy to a room already overflowing with hope.

The gala was more than just a fundraiser—it was a call to action. It shed light on the devastating impacts of wrongful convictions and celebrated those fighting to change a system that too often fails the innocent. It also emphasized real solutions—policy reform, legal advocacy, education, and community support—that can prevent these injustices and bring justice to those still waiting.

You can be part of this life-changing work.

Take action today by donating to the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice. Your support helps free the innocent, support exonerees, and build a system worthy of the word "justice."