Second Chance Month (April) just wrapped up and the SCHA team closed out the month with a fantastic event on April 29: “Talent Beyond Barriers: A Business Exchange on Second Chance Hiring.” This exciting event, which we co-hosted with SCHA Core Group Members the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, included panels, expert speakers, and technical assistance/coaching for D.C.-based business owners and employers looking to hire justice-impacted workers. There was also time for networking and a reception with other attendees including business leaders, employment professionals, policymakers, justice-impacted residents, and workforce development programs. See below for pictures from the event.

After opening remarks, Jonay Holkins, Founder & Principal of Trendline Strategies LLC, kicked off the day offering her advice and suggestions for other business leaders looking to expand their talent pool through second chance hiring. Ms. Holkins was followed by a panel titled “Breaking the Barriers” moderated by Gabi Smith, Career Shop DC and featuring panelists Lamont Carey, Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizen Affairs; Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Department of Employment Services; and Robert White, At-Large D.C. Councilmember. The panelists spoke about the opportunities that D.C. government provides both for justice impacted residents and employers. They discussed funding opportunities, workforce development programs, and partnerships around the District to build employment opportunities for our justice impacted neighbors.

We were fortunate enough to welcome Brian L. Schwalb, D.C. Attorney General and Brooke Pinto, Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember as our keynote speakers. Mr. Schwab discussed the work of the Office of the Attorney General to expand their own second chance hiring efforts and to make sure business owners and employers understood their legal rights and responsibilities when second chance hiring. CM Pinto shared information about new bills she has introduced at D.C. Council in March: the Fair Hiring Opportunities for Public Employment (HOPE) Amendment Act of 2025 and the Helping Incentivize Returning Citizen Employment (HIRE) Amendment Act of 2025. These bills will support second chance hiring both within D.C. government and in the private sector.

Our final panel “Business Beyond Barriers” featured Joe Houston, Founder of WeFit DC, Antwayne Ford, Founder of Enlightened, and Colin Fraser, Founder of Upling and was moderated by Patricia Gill of National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. This engaging panel addressed everything from justice impacted entrepreneurs to the need for workforce development and resources for justice impacted job seekers.

The event wrapped up with a passionate speech by Joel Castón, a returning citizen himself, as well as the first incarcerated person elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in D.C. Joel talked about the support he received when coming home, encouraged participants to engage with the community-based organizations supporting returning citizens, and reminded everyone to remember that we are all human and have a responsibility to take care of our neighbors.

This powerful event provided an incredible opportunity for networking with SCHA’s members, partners, and constituents including government leaders, businesses and employers, workforce development programs and community-based organizations, and justice impacted residents of DC. We are excited that after two years of work, we were able to bring together more than 100 people to meet, mingle, learn, and expand second chance hiring opportunities in the District. Stay tuned for events and more resources from SCHA in the near future!