Center for Leadership and Justice

03/17/2026

The time for Just Cause is now!

03/13/2026

Over 150,000 records erased, giving people hope, jobs, and a real second chance!

From 2021 passage of one of the nation's most progressive clean slate laws to full rollout despite epic tech battles, The Clean Slate campaign has been implemented in CT! So much credit is due to our sister organization, CONECT, the ACLU, and others who did not take their eye off of the ball. GHIAA leaders – you were significant in pushing this bill over the endline in 2021. It takes a village. Organizing works.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Over 150,000 criminal records have been expunged due to the Clean Slate law in Connecticut, experts said on Wednesday. The law, created in 2021, clears certain “old…

03/12/2026

The North Hartford Public Safety Coalition is calling for swift action after two Hartford residents in mental health crisis were killed by HPD: a public briefing from the mayor and chief within 7 days, termination and full review of the officers involved, a stronger non-police mental health crisis response, and full activation of the Police Accountability Review Board.

There are calls for the firing of two Hartford police officers involved in the deadly shootings of two men dealing with mental health crises. That was one of the demands from the community and religious leaders. The shootings happened within a week of each other, killing Everard Walker and Steven Jo...

03/12/2026

W4 News - From Listening to Action Press Conference - 3/12/2026Be sure to watch it on AccessTV.org Channel W4 News: https://www.accesstv.org/w4-news or on Yo...

03/05/2026

Yesterday GHIAA leaders testified in support of YIGBY (Yes in God’s Backyard) legislation that would make it easier for religious institutions to develop their properties to meet some of the affordable housing needs in the state. Written testimony can be submitted for another week.

02/18/2026

An interfaith gathering of religious leaders today outside of the federal building in Hartford - where ICE is located. Meaningful start to the holy seasons of Ramadan, Lent, and Purim.

02/11/2026

On Monday night leaders from the North Hartford Public Safety Coalition packed the chambers during the Hartford City Council meeting asking lawmakers to to support a proposed resolution that would focus on speed reduction and roadway safety improvements within Hartford. This demand comes on the heels a Christmas Day crash that claimed the life of 14 year-old Malachi James. City Council members said they would debate the measure before voting. Leaders hope this is the first step towards making a resolution to address the ongoing public safety concerns that traffic continues to bring to the Northend neighborhoods.

02/10/2026

North Hartford Public Safety Coalition in partnership with Mothers United Against Violence packed the chambers to declare traffic violence a public health crisis.

Community members are taking action after a 14-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Hartford on Christmas Day.

02/06/2026

🚨 PACK THE CHAMBERS FOR SAFE HARTFORD STREETS 🚨

Traffic violence is not an accident.

It is predictable, preventable, and a public health crisis and Hartford has a chance to act.

On Monday, February 9 at 6:00 PM, the Hartford City Council will consider a resolution that formally declares traffic violence a preventable public health emergency and strengthens the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.

This community action is inspired by the life and loss of Malachi James.

While the resolution is not named after Malachi, his story and the stories of too many families are why this moment matters. We cannot continue to accept unsafe streets, speeding, and dangerous designs as “normal.”

This resolution calls for:

✔️ Data-driven identification of the most dangerous streets

✔️ Timely safety reviews after fatal and serious crashes

✔️ Quick-build safety improvements that slow traffic and protect people

✔️ Accountability, transparency, and equity in how safety decisions are made

This effort is being organized by the North Hartford Public Safety Coalition, in partnership with Mothers United Against Violence, because mothers, families, and communities deserve streets that protect life not end it.

📅 Monday, February 9, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Hartford City Hall City Council Chambers
🎙 Public comment is welcome and encouraged

If you walk these streets…
If you’ve lost someone…
If you care about our children and elders…

👉🏾 This is your moment to show up.
Wear red or black in remembrance. Bring a neighbor. Bring your voice.

This is how we turn grief into action. This is what community looks like.

02/04/2026

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History just hosted the first exhibition of the Hartford Environmental Justice Research Partnership, a traveling series that lifts up local residents’ experiences of environmental injustice and equity. This work connects directly to CLJ’s environmental justice campaign for repair after 40 years of trash incineration in Hartford’s South End.

This 3-year, Mellon Foundation–funded project is a collaboration between Trinity College’s Center for Urban and Global Studies and Center for Caribbean Studies, the Center for Leadership & Justice, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center.

Next stops for the exhibition:
• Urban Hope Refuge Church – March 4
• Avon Public Library – March 5