Business, Justice, & The Next 250: A Reform Agenda for Safety and Prosperity
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 | 2-5:30 p.m. ET | Washington, D.C.
For 250 years, American business has been one of the most powerful forces shaping our justice system. At its worst, the private sector's pursuit of short-term profit helped give rise to policies that punished people to the point where recovery was nearly impossible, and reoffending nearly inevitable. At its best, the business community’s decisive leadership and unparalleled influence advanced reforms that made the system fairer, communities safer, and the economy stronger.
On this historic anniversary, the question isn't whether that dynamic will continue — it will. The question is on which side of history businesses choose to be going forward.
This Constitution Day, the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) will convene senior business leaders, policymakers, and public safety voices to make the case for a justice system centered on fairness and opportunity and how the private sector can firmly position itself on the side of reform. The event will culminate in the launch of RBIJ’s first-ever policy agenda: a series of bipartisan solutions, informed by the business community, for a justice system that delivers true safety and prosperity for all.
This event is made possible by The Just Trust and the Justice & the Next 250 campaign.
Agenda Preview:
2-2:30 p.m. Registration and coffee
2:30-4:30 p.m. Panel sessions (speakers to be announced)
4:30-5:30 p.m. Networking and refreshments
Spaces are limited. If you’d like to join us, please register today.
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. celebrates 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. Learn more.