Events.
RBIJ works with our business and advocacy partners to participate in events across the country. See below for a sample of the events we have, and will be, attending. To learn more about speaking at an event, email info@rbij.org.
State of the District & Region Conference
Save the date for our annual conference on September 22, 2025 which features panelists and speakers including prominent business representatives and leaders, health directors, higher education administrators, workforce development leaders, regional and local elected officials.
Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, nonprofit executive, or entrepreneur, this is your opportunity to stay ahead of the trends and insights shaping the future of DC’s business community.
From Day One: Live 2025: Austin
People leaders face a welter of challenges right now, from employee disengagement to financial pressure to policy uncertainty from Washington. Yet HR professionals can seize the moment as an opportunity for transformative change, guided by positive values and an investment in their people. Companies will be primed for future growth if they embrace an environment of trust, continuous learning, advanced technology, purposeful leadership, data-driven insights, and a skills-based talent strategy. In our conference of HR leaders and colleagues, we’ll explore breakthroughs in thinking about how to make work fulfilling, create a sense of community, help employees increase their competencies and performance, and produce better managers. You’ll discover the most innovative approaches in such fields as talent acquisition, employee benefits and total rewards, learning and development, employee engagement, AI and HR technology, and inclusion and belonging.
2025 NRWC Annual Conference
NRWC looks forward to again bringing together some of the leading voices from the reentry workforce field: business leaders, practitioners, government representatives, advocates, and other stakeholders. Join us in Pittsburgh as we seek to advance equity, elevate best practices, and promote fair chance hiring. Regardless of your role within the reentry workforce ecosystem, this convening is for you! Visit NRWCs Conference page for more information.
RBIJ’s CEO Maha Jweied, Director of Policy and Advocacy Maggie O’Donnell, and Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy Morgan Southers will be speaking at NRWC’s conference.
Driving Impact and Profit: A 360° View of CSR Where Business Success Meets Lasting Impact
Join an exclusive gathering of CEOs and executives to explore how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is transforming both communities and organizations. This invitation-only conference will showcase powerful insights, “off-the-record” peer-to-peer dialogue, and actionable strategies that connect purpose to performance.
800 Years of Justice: Magna Carta to UN SDG 16
Marking the 800th anniversary of the 1225 Magna Carta, this launch event will explore the evolution of justice and the enduring importance of the rule of law. Linking historical legal traditions with contemporary justice goals, this session will consider what progress has been made under UN SDG 16 “justice for all” in its first 10 years and what can be achieved in the next five years. RBIJ's CEO, Maha Jweied, will be speaking.
Waffles & Workforce: Gwinnett Economic Development
Are you struggling to hire, train, or keep the right people?
Join Gwinnett Economic Development for breakfast and solutions at this employer-focused event that brings together the partners, programs, and resources that can help.
Solve issues like talent shortages, skill gaps, and high turnover. Gain direct access to local and regional experts who offer hiring support, workforce training, talent development, and business services — all aligned to help you attract top talent, retain your team, and upskill for the future. You'll also get to network with top business leaders, premier workforce partners, and community champions committed to your success.
NRAEF Hospitality Pathways Conference
For the third annual Hospitality Pathways Conference (HPC), the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation will welcome more than 200 workforce development stakeholders and partners from Justice Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, State Restaurant Associations from 10 states of HOPES (AK, CO, CT, DE, IL, MI, OH, PA, TX, & VA), staff from CBOs and SRAs implementing Restaurant Ready in 35 states, federal agency partners, industry partners, subject matter experts, and Foundation staff.
Register here.
Criminal Justice Mental Health Summit
Join us in Nevada for more than a meeting – CJMHS is a movement where changemakers come together to learn about emerging research at the intersection of mental health and the criminal-legal system.
✅ Discuss a better path forward: a conversation on rehabilitation, reentry, and reaffirming community safety.
✅ Learn from personal experiences related to mental health and the legal system.
The Second Chance Advantage: Manufacturing Success Stories and a New Tool to Drive Adoption
Envoy’s new Fair Chance Navigator builds on over a decade of experience helping employers adopt successful second chance hiring practices. Since early 2021, Envoy, a social impact advisory firm specializing in organizational growth, philanthropic consulting and fair chance employment, has partnered with the Manufacturing Institute to support its second chance initiatives. Through strategy development, direct engagement and practical tools, Envoy has helped equip manufacturers with the resources needed to build a broader and more accessible workforce. Newly developed in 2025, the Fair Chance Navigator tool provides step-by-step guidance to assess current efforts, identify barriers and implement strategies that support hiring justice impacted individuals. In our July Solution Series event, “The Second Chance Advantage: Manufacturing Success Stories and a New Tool to Drive Adoption” we will explore success stories from manufacturers like Union Pacific, Xylem, and Komatsu.
Register here.
Clean Slate Massachusetts: Criminal Justice Reform Caucus
Join us virtually or at the Massachusetts State House to learn about the business and economic case for clean slate laws in MA and then meet with legislators about co-sponsoring the bills.
✅ Discuss the economic benefits of clean-slate laws.
✅ Advocate directly through MA legislators.
CEO Workforce Forum: Investing in U.S. Workers
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Business Roundtable hosted the CEO Workforce Forum: Investing in U.S. Workers. The event explored how large employers are creating new pathways for workers, including efforts to expand opportunity in skilled trades and manufacturing roles.
JustUs Ideas Week
JustUs Ideas Week is a first-of-its-kind ideas accelerator rooted in connecting impacted individuals, key changemakers, innovative experiences, and bold action
Through headline discussions, startup business pitch showcases, podcasts, Hackathons, and interactive sessions, participants will explore new ways to address the challenges facing justice-impacted communities and collaborate on innovative solutions.
CSI's 2025 Convening
Join us in Chicago for two days of connection, strategy, and action as we mark five years of progress at CSI and prepare for a lifetime of impact for Clean Slate’s work. At this year’s convening, you’ll have the opportunity to:
✅ Engage with national leaders, advocates, and Directly Impacted individuals.
✅ Join learning tracks on strategy, implementation, messaging, and capacity building.
✅ Gain hands-on skills through interactive workshops and expert panels.
✅ Celebrate five years of impact at a special reception.
Register here.
W&J Summit 2025
Join business leaders, policy experts and justice advocates to explore how corporate action on justice reform can make the workforce healthier, more resilient and ready for the future.
Learn more at: https://www.workforcejusticesummit.org/2025-summit
Talent Beyond Barriers: A Business Exchange on Second Chance Hiring
Join the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice on Tuesday, April 29 from 2 to 6:30pm for “Talent Beyond Barriers: A Business Exchange on Second Chance Hiring.”
This exciting event celebrating Second Chance Month will include panels, expert speakers, and technical assistance/coaching for D.C.-based business owners and employers looking to hire justice-impacted workers. There will also be time for networking and a reception with other attendees including business leaders, employment professionals, policymakers, justice-impacted residents, and workforce development programs.
Reentry Simulation by Social Purpose Corrections + Awake Window & Door Co.
Join us for a unique opportunity to experience what it's like to re-enter society after incarceration, led by those with lived experience.
Awake Window & Door Co and Social Purpose Corrections have teamed up to organize a simulation giving business leaders and community partners a glimpse into the challenges individuals face upon release.
After the simulation, network with others over a delicious dinner.
Clean Slate Champions: A Community Call for Second Chances
April is Second Chance Month, and The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) is leading the way in celebrating the transformative power of second chances. By sealing the past, we’re unlocking new doors to opportunity through Clean Slate legislation — and we want YOU to be part of this effort!
Join us for a special community call where we’ll bring together the Clean Slate network to share powerful insights on the impact of Clean Slate policies at both the state and federal levels. Whether you’re active in this work, directly impacted by this issue, or a supporter of Clean Slate, we want you there — this is your chance to connect, learn, and help build momentum so we can all play a role in advancing second chances.
Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, will be joining Clean Slate champions and a powerhouse panel of experts, who will share inspiring stories, valuable knowledge, and exclusive opportunities to take meaningful action in celebrating and supporting Clean Slate.
Breaking Barriers: The Fight for Fair Occupational Licensure
Join us for a 30-minute LinkedIn Live conversation exploring how outdated occupational licensing laws create barriers to employment for skilled workers with records. You'll hear a firsthand story from someone who has navigated these challenges and learn about policy solutions to strengthen the workforce and expand access to opportunity. Featuring experts from JFF's Center for Justice & Economic Advancement and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, this discussion will highlight the economic and business case for licensing reform.
Learn more and register: https://www.linkedin.com/events/breakingbarriers-thefightforfai7310006380868849665/theater/
Second Chance Conference: "In Their Shoes" (A Reentry Simulation)
Join us for a transformative experience! Participate in our Reentry Simulation to gain a profound understanding of the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. Over a 2-hour session, you'll immerse yourself in the journey to self-sufficiency, navigating the barriers that contribute to feelings of helplessness. This eye-opening activity will simulate a month in the life of someone recently released from prison, highlighting the struggles of fulfilling court obligations while managing day-to-day life.
The Economic Benefits of Expungement: Building Momentum from the Expungement Reform Act of 2025 to Clean Slate
The Center for Criminal Justice Reform (CCJR) at the University of Baltimore Law School invites you to a Town Hall event, "The Economic Benefits of Expungement: Building Momentum from the Expungement Reform Act of 2025 to Clean Slate." This event will bring together community members, business leaders, policymakers, and advocates including directly impacted leaders to celebrate progress in removing barriers to record clearance in Maryland, discuss what’s next in creating employment opportunities for people with criminal records, and highlight the economic benefits of expungement.
The Town Hall will take place on Monday, April 14th from 5:30-8:30 PM in the University of Baltimore Law School's Moot Court Room (1401 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201).
Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws & Public Health
April is Second Chance Month and April 7-13, 2025, is National Public Health Week, the perfect time to explore how “clean slate” laws promote health, economic stability, and racial equity. Criminal records create lasting barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare—key social determinants of health. A Clean Slate law, which automates record sealing as soon as someone is eligible, is a powerful tool for reducing inequities and strengthening communities.
Register for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kPkdEnx2Re68faUhFZgy3w#/registration
National Returning Citizens Conference
This transformative two-day event kicks off on the evening of Wednesday, April 9th, with a Welcome Reception. Thursday, April 10th, and Friday, April 11th, will include dynamic plenary sessions, coalition-building efforts, and an awards banquet recognizing individuals in the region making a difference in reentry work. Through keynote addresses and engaging break-out sessions, we will share valuable resources, effective strategies, and inspiring success stories that empower individuals to overcome the challenges of reentry. Together, we will celebrate progress, advocate for reform, and work toward a future that embraces second chances.
Learn more: https://nrcconference.org/
Delaware 4th Annual State Agency Career Fair
Looking for a place to work where you can do good for your community while doing well for yourself? Network with state agencies and learn about opportunities that are available now.
Register to attend this event here: 4th Annual State Agency Career Fair
Book Talk: Sentencing, Second Chances, & Justice with Judge Frederic Block
Join us on April 1 from 6 to 7 pm, (reception to follow) for an engaging conversation with U.S. District Court Judge Frederic Block and Dean David Meyer. Block will discuss his latest book, "A Second Chance: A Federal Judge Decides Who Deserves It," which offers a rare glimpse behind the bench as he weighs compassionate release cases under the First Step Act.
RSVP here: https://registration.brooklaw.edu/book-talk/frederic-block
2025 Second Chance Forum: Creating Opportunities for People, Employers, and Communities
The Second Chance Forum will bring together employers, academics, business leaders, policymakers and justice-impacted thought leaders for discussions on creating pathways to sustainable employment for individuals with criminal records.
Learn more here: https://www.darden.virginia.edu/ibis/events/second-chance
Talent Forward: Advancing an Engaged, Agile, and Resilient Workforce
At Talent Forward, we’ll dive into key issues and share the latest solutions on pressing topics such as:
What barriers to workforce participation are the top priorities to solve? Where are we stifling growth, opportunity, and prosperity?
How can we ensure learning, skills development, and career-pathing meets the needs of both employers and individuals and their families?
When disruption happens, how resilient of an economy, workforce, and culture have we created?\
Learn more and register: https://events.uschamberfoundation.org/talentforward2025/6191528?ref=connect01&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_term=20250128_Foundation_The_Connector_January&utm_content=1/31/2025
Talent Management Reloaded USA
At Talent Management Reloaded USA, HR and talent management professionals will come together to showcase cutting-edge strategies, share inspiring success stories and explore innovative tools to elevate talent acquisition, leadership development, and employee engagement. Discover how to ignite a culture of innovation, drive transformation, and shape the future of work for thriving, empowered teams.
Join the most dynamic and content-rich networking event for talent leaders, unlocking the potential of tomorrow’s workforce in the USA!
Learn more and register: https://talent-management-reloaded.us/
Beyond the Bars Conference 2025
The Beyond the Bars Conference is an annual student-driven interdisciplinary conference on mass incarceration held at Columbia University. Each year the conference brings together students, faculty, activists, advocates, practitioners, those who have experienced and/or been impacted by incarceration, community members and more to connect, galvanize, and deepen the work of building justice and equity and ending mass incarceration.
Learn more and register: https://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/content/beyond-bars-conference
We the Pizza: Slangin' Pies and Savin' Lives
The Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity and the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania invite you to a special evening Book Talk on March 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM for the newly released We the Pizza: Slangin' Pies and Savin' Lives, the powerful story of Down North Pizza, a Philadelphia-based pizzeria that has earned national acclaim—including a prestigious James Beard award—for transforming lives and creating second chances.
Learn more and register: https://web.cvent.com/event/90526cfe-be05-475d-bbbe-44d8206cfef3/summary
W&J Summit London
Building on the success of RBIJ’s Workforce & Justice Summits in the US, we are delighted to bring this event to the UK for the first time. This landmark Summit will bring together leaders and innovators to explore pioneering strategies in workforce development and justice reform, uniquely tailored to the challenges and opportunities in the UK.
Learn more at: https://www.workforcejusticesummit.org/
Georgia's Workforce Conference
Join us for our two-day Georgia’s Workforce Conference to learn about innovative strategies and programs Georgia companies, communities and organizations are using to address talent development needs and build long-term workforce pipelines.
Georgia’s Workforce Conference will bring together partners in workforce development, education, business and economic development to explore promising practices and emerging ideas to solve talent challenges around the state.
SHRM Inclusion 2024
There’s a reason why SHRM INCLUSION has sold out the last two years. The HR industry has recognized it as a catalyst that brings together an incredibly diverse group of attendees, speakers, thought leaders and solutions providers who all have the same goal:
To protect, prioritize and (em)power the workforce to create better workplaces where all employees act with civility, are made to feel as if they belong and have opportunities to thrive.
Join us for INCLUSION 2024 on Nov. 4–7 in the Denver metro area, and virtually, as we press on in our journey… together.
Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS) Talent Symposium
We are excited to invite you to the WOS Talent Symposium, an exclusive event tailored for senior HR professionals dedicated to advancing talent acquisition and retention strategies through the power of upskilling.
Join industry leaders and experts as they share cutting-edge insights and innovative practices to enhance employee productivity and manage talent in today's dynamic workforce.
Next Generation Leadership C-Suite Event
Join us for an in-depth, thought provoking summit to discuss the future of leadership and its impact on workforce development, sustainability and acceleration of US Manufacturing at the Next Generation Leadership C-suite event hosted at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. This event, set against the backdrop of innovation and excellence, is designed to explore the dynamic landscape of leadership in the 21st century and the evolving needs of the workforce, sustainability strategies and digital transformations. Discover forward-thinking perspectives on leadership as industry thought leaders, experts, and young leaders present the key components of leadership of the future and what varies from what we know today.
Save the date for this event, where innovation and education converge. Join us on October 28-29, 2024, as we collectively shape the future of leadership as a diverse community.
Upon registration, you will receive further details of the event and logistics. Hotels have been blocked for attendees close to the site.