Emerging Leaders™ Workshop with JustLeadershipUSA™
Note: This event is for freed/exonerated people only

When: Thursday, March 21, 2024, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA

The Innocence Network has partnered with JustLeadershipUSA™ to hold an Emerging Leaders Workshop for freed and exonerated people on Thursday, March 21st (the day before the Innocence Network Conference officially begins). Emerging Leaders was created by JLUSA to support, educate, and empower local coalitions of activists and leaders to advocate for racial justice, end mass incarceration, and to center the voices of those most deeply impacted by discriminatory policies. This training was created for organizers and activists at all skill levels who are committed to racial justice. The Emerging Leaders training for the Innocence Network is a customized one-day, three-module training, covering leadership, communication, advocacy, policy, and capacity building. This training combines facilitated instructional sessions from experienced and directly impacted organizers and advocates, group work, strategic planning, and sharing from local leaders. Please review the program outline for more information about goals and objectives, structure, and approach, as well as a brief agenda.

Freed and exonerated people who are interested in participating in the Emerging Leaders Workshop should fill out this form to express interest. There is no charge for the training, though an additional hotel night will be required: participants will need to arrive in New Orleans no later than the evening of Wednesday, March 20th, as the workshop will start at 9:00 am on March 21st. Reserving and paying for the additional night at the hotel is the responsibility of the freed/exonerated person OR their sponsoring organization. The training will be held at the New Orleans Marriott, the same venue as the Innocence Network Conference. Space is limited and access to the workshop is first come, first served based on the order that expressions of interest forms are received. Individuals who participated in last year’s Emerging Leaders workshop are welcome to participate again this year; however, priority will be given to new attendees if interest exceeds capacity.

BIPOC Innocence Network Organization Staff Leadership Retreat
Note: This retreat is for staff of Innocence Network member organizations only who identify as BIPOC

When: Thursday, March 21, 2024, 2 pm to 7 pm
Where: New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA

Join BIPOC staff of Innocence Network Member Organizations for a half-day retreat intended to help build connections, foster understanding, encourage healing, and boost empowerment.

Innocence Network Conference Closing Celebration

When: Saturday, March 23rd, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm  
Where: Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, 1 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130 

The optional conference closing celebration will be held at Creole Queen, an authentic Mississippi River paddlewheeler. At the conclusion of the conference, our community – accompanied by local New Orleans Second Line performers – will parade together from the New Orleans Marriott approximately six blocks to the riverfront for the closing event. Entrance to the closing party includes two drink tickets and a menu of heavy appetizers.

As in years past, the closing celebration is free for freed/exonerated people and their conference-registered family members, who do not need to purchase a separate ticket. For all other attendees, the cost is $60. You are able to purchase closing party tickets at the same time you register for the conference, so please be sure to indicate that you want a ticket and you'll be able to sign up for both in a single transaction.