ABOUT JUSTICE & THE NEXT 250
Justice & The Next 250 is a new campaign of The Just Trust, inviting Americans to look ahead to the future of justice and safety in the country. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, we’re bringing together advocates, culture-makers, policymakers, and community leaders to shift the conversation from what’s broken to what’s possible — centering solutions that can shape safety and accountability for generations to come.
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN? WHY NOW?
For decades, the criminal justice reform field has done the essential work of documenting harm, exposing failure, and naming injustice. That work changed public awareness, shifted policy debates, and built a shared understanding that the system must do a far better job of delivering on both safety and justice.
Because of that work, we are no longer in a moment of discovery.
We know what is broken.
We know the impact of that brokenness.
And we know that the status quo does not deliver safety, accountability, or dignity. The things literally everyone wants.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the question before us is no longer whether the system needs to change. The question is what we are building next. Justice & The Next 250 is an invitation to shift our collective focus to what CAN BE, and to lead the way there.
GET INVOLVED
This summer, let's showcase what's working, and what can be scaled, strengthened, and sustained in the years ahead.
We invite you to engage with Justice & The Next 250 in ways that make sense for your work, audiences, and this particular moment. Here are ways to participate.
HOST AN EVENT
Hosting a Justice & The Next 250 event is an opportunity to bring people together to talk about what you're doing to shape the next 250. The format, the audience, the discussions — that’s up to you. The only requirement is that you look ahead, and talk about what your organization is doing to lead the way forward.
What it looks like:
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Plan it! Convene a gathering centered on shaping the next 250. Take a moment for where we've been, but spend most of your time on where we're going.
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Events should reflect your community and expertise—not a prescribed agenda. They can be fundraisers, town halls, webinars, community events, etc...
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Brand it! Leverage the campaign's digital toolkit for logos, graphics, and other assets to brand your event as Justice & The Next 250.
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Host a screening: All Justice & The Next 250 participants are invited to host an exclusive advance screening of the upcoming PBS series by Lynn Novick and Ken Burns: Crime and Punishment in America, airing Nov. 2026. You will receive a ~50 min clip + discussion guide and marketing materials. You can also request to be connected to your local PBS station to partner on the event. Request a package HERE.
