The Power of Voices: UJC Summit 2025 Takes Center Stage at The Shed

On June 1, 2025, The Shed in New York City buzzed with energy as leaders, advocates, filmmakers, and changemakers gathered for the United Justice Coalition’s Summit 2025—a day dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations, sharing powerful stories, and advancing justice and unity.

From the opening moments, the summit radiated a sense of purpose, with a dynamic lineup of panels and discussions that brought together voices from across the justice movement. Attendees—many of whom have long been documenting and uplifting the voices of the wrongfully convicted and marginalized—were immersed in sessions that spanned critical topics like wrongful convictions, mental health, police accountability, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Throughout the day, speakers emphasized the importance of centering the experiences of impacted communities. The Storytelling and Advocacy panel emphasized how personal narratives can challenge the status quo, drive policy change, and amplify marginalized voices. Panelists shared how art, music, and documentary film can be powerful tools in the fight for justice, reminding us that stories are at the heart of social movements.

Mental health was a key focus at the summit, with a dedicated session exploring the intersection of mental well-being, trauma, and the criminal legal system. Advocates and experts highlighted the urgent need to address mental health support for individuals affected by systemic injustices while acknowledging the resilience and strength within these communities.

A panel on police accountability sparked honest conversations about the current state of policing in America. Panelists examined pathways to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, emphasizing that true accountability requires systemic change and community-centered approaches.

One of the most emotional moments of the day came when four brave women—Michelle Houcks, Niko L. Quinn, Saundra Newsom, and Ophelia Williams—shared their harrowing experiences of being raped and terrorized by Kansas City police detective Roger Golubski. They spoke about having their families torn apart, their children ripped away from them, and never receiving any kind of justice—even to this day. Moderated by Josie Duffy Rice, the conversation was extremely difficult to hear but essential to amplify. These women—mothers, sisters, and daughters—have spent years fighting for justice after losing loved ones and enduring decades of police corruption, violence, and sexual abuse. Their grief has been met not with compassion but with silence, suspicion, and denial. Shut out of victim services and denied access to basic information, they’ve carried the burden of seeking truth in a system designed to obscure it. For them, justice has felt not delayed, but deliberately denied.

Another powerful conversation on wrongful convictions was moderated by Dan Slepian and featured a panel including Josh Dubin, DA Eric Gonzalez, Vanessa Potkin, Barry Scheck, and JJ Velazquez. Together, they discussed the barriers and pathways to freedom for the wrongfully convicted, the challenges innocent people face in proving their case, and the procedural, legal, and institutional obstacles that stand in the way of justice. The panelists also assessed current avenues for release and outlined new strategies to ensure justice is truly within reach.

Throughout the summit, a unifying theme emerged: real progress happens when people come together—through grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and by showing up for one another.

This year’s award went to Rebecca Brown, a fearless champion for the wrongfully convicted and a relentless force for justice reform. The award was presented by none other than Barry Scheck, Nina Morrison, and Vanessa Potkin—a powerhouse trio in the fight for justice. As Barry introduced Rebecca, he read, “For 25+ years of leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming the justice system, this year’s honoree from Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition is the incomparable Rebecca Brown.”

In her heartfelt acceptance, Rebecca shared, “I’m in awe. This is so beautiful for me and means the world—more than you know. And to have this presented by my heroes is beyond amazing.”

It was a moment of deep gratitude and recognition—a moving tribute to a woman whose work has reshaped lives and inspired countless others.

As the day came to a close, the sense of hope and solidarity was undeniable. The UJC Summit 2025 left attendees with renewed inspiration to continue the fight for justice, equity, and human dignity. The conversations that took place at The Summit will undoubtedly fuel the important work ahead.

Rebecca Brown