Q3 2024 Newsletter

Good Team in Action:

Breakfast Briefing

We kicked off our summer with our second Good Call Breakfast Briefing. Our breakfast not only served food, but also featured speakers, including Lisa Talma of Deutsche Bank, Good Call Board Member Mack Graham, and Keynote Speaker Assembly member Andrew Hevesi.

Our fireside chat included moderator Brendon Mason of Nike, Good Call CEO Jelani Anglin, and Good Call.org Executive Director Kim Belizaire. They discussed our 5-year plan and how access to early counsel leads to better outcomes for the person being arrested and prevents miscarriages of justice in the system.

This event could not have been made possible without the support of Deutsche Bank, who generously provided their amazing space for us and our guests. We would like to extend a special thank you to Lyft and Trinity Wall Street for supporting our event for the second year in a row, and a big thank you to our first-time sponsors Def Methods, Lady Justice Initiatives, and Dream.org

Pride Month

In 2019, gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals were 2.25 times as likely to be arrested in the past twelve months than heterosexual individuals. Lesbian and bisexual women are 4 times as likely to be arrested than heterosexual women, with an arrest rate of 3,860 per 100,000 compared to 860 per 100,000, while gay and bisexual men are 1.35 times as likely to be arrested than heterosexual men, with an arrest rate of 3,210 arrested per 100,000 vs 2,380 per 100,000. One of our main priorities is to reach communities targeted and impacted by the criminal justice system. Good Call did just that during NYC Pride Month. From the Bronx to Staten Island, we were able to engage more than 7,000 English and Spanish speakers. And we plan to do more. Please be on the lookout for us at both Manhattan and Harlem Pride this weekend.

BMe Vanguard Award
Our Co-founder/CEO Jelani Anglin was honored with the BMe Vanguard award. BMe Vanguard is an invitation-only award, enrichment program and membership that provides inspired Black leaders from all walks of life additional Knowledge, Influence, and Networks (K.I.N.) for their work fulfilling Black aspirations to Live, Own, Vote, and Excel (L.O.V.E.). This program brings inspiring and trusted Black leaders into a community that fosters their well-being, financial empowerment, collaboration, and positive social impact. Honorees embody the #NextNarrative principle of defining people by their aspirations and contributions, rather than by their limitations or stigmas. Congratulations to Jelani Anglin for this prestigious award.

Community Spotlights:

This summer, we are thrilled to welcome back a cohort of six alumni to the Good Call community with the support of the New York Community Trust. These young individuals, who have successfully completed our program in the past, are returning as peer mentors. Their role is to support and guide our new cohorts, providing a safety net and relatable guidance to other young people their age. By involving them in designing the curriculum, we ensure it remains relevant and impactful for incoming participants. Additionally, these peer mentors will receive training in community organizing and advocacy skills, equipping them to be the next generation of leaders who are deeply informed by their own experiences within the system. This initiative not only enriches our program but also strengthens the entire community by fostering a supportive network of system-impacted young leaders. To support our youth internship program, please make a donation here.

Media + Narrative:
Good Call proudly participates in the Right to Remain Silent Coalition, a collaborative effort committed to advocating for the rights of youth in the criminal justice system. This year, despite our collective efforts, the Right to Remain Silent Act did not pass. However, we are bolstered by the unwavering commitment of our coalition partners, including Bronx Connect, The Gathering for Justice, and Youth Represent, among others. Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that all youth under 18 receive a consultation with an attorney before any law enforcement interrogation—a fundamental step towards safeguarding their rights. In April, our coalition partner, Legal Aid, spearheaded an advertising campaign to amplify the urgency of passing the Right 2 Remain Silent Act. Check out their powerful ad here!

As we navigate through these dynamic and challenging times, we rely more than ever on the strength of our community. Your continuous engagement and support make a world of difference in our efforts to serve those who rely on us. Remember, we are here because of you, and for you. Let's continue to work together, pushing boundaries and making strides towards a fairer and more just society.

Stay connected, stay engaged, and let's keep making a difference together.

Onward and upward,

The Good Call Team