On May 30, Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition hosted the third annual UJC Summit at The Shed in New York City, drawing over 1,300 attendees for a day dedicated to justice reform. With more than 30 speakers, the event featured leading voices including Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Rye, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Ari Melber, Barry Scheck, Laura Coates, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
This year’s summit explored urgent issues across the criminal justice system, from probation and parole reform to police accountability, mental health, and the specific challenges faced by women. In addition to panels and discussions, a community exhibition showcased organizations such as Children of Promise, Dream.org, and the Center for Policing Equity, connecting attendees with on-the-ground resources.
A standout moment came during Angela Rye’s panel with the families of Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, John Albers, and Ahmaud Arbery, who shared personal stories of loss and their ongoing fight for justice. Another key session focused on mental health and emergency response, where Charlamagne Tha God and Mayor Scott emphasized the need to shift crisis intervention away from law enforcement and toward trained mental health professionals.
The summit also spotlighted gender-specific injustices, using the Megan Thee Stallion case to underscore how Black women are often doubted when they speak out. Closing the day, Josie Duffy-Rice led a powerful conversation with survivors of abuse by former detective Roger Golubski, ending in a standing ovation and a renewed call for accountability.
