Fireside Chat: Justice & Journalism
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
11:00 - 11:45am EST
In Person: Included with admission. Online: Free. Advance registration required.
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick, a writer, justice advocate, and truth-teller. In this conversation, Jy’Aire reflects on the power of journalism as a tool for accountability and healing. Known for his writing in The Marshall Project, Jy’Aire has written about his experiences in prison and his journey of transformation through education and self-improvement. This fireside chat will discuss how media shapes public perception of justice—and how those most impacted can reclaim the narrative.
About the Panelists:
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This Constitution Day—and all week long—we celebrate and reflect on the role of the First Amendment in securing freedom and liberty for all. But does that include people who are incarcerated? Together, we’ll examine how freedom of expression is limited and fought for in the American criminal justice system and the role of natural rights in an incarcerated facility. What limits are in place in different states? Are they fair and just? How have journalism and art played powerful roles in preserving human dignity? Join us for a full week of special programming exploring prison journalism, art, and free expression for those who are not free.