About Us

Angela A. Allen-Bell, a professor at Southern University Law Center, is a leading national and international scholar on race and justice. She has worked on landmark cases and causes, including ending non-unanimous juries in Louisiana, the Angola 3, Vincent Simmons, Soledad Brother John Clutchette, and Robert Holbrook. Her recent book series begins with Under Indictment: Race, Juries and Justice in Louisiana. She has appeared on MSNBC, NPR, CBS, and in major publications, including The Washington Post and The New Yorker and has been recognized as a Woman of Distinction and a “Living Legend.” She founded The Justice Center to dismantle systems that harm, empower those victimized by them and to center the voices of people of color. Her efforts are guided by Jeremiah 5:1, which says “Give me one who seeks justice.”

Jason D. Gale is a Milwaukee native, real estate investor, and one of the top 60 agents by volume in the New Orleans area, verified by Real Trends. A lifelong learner with a passion for community and growth, he blends curiosity and connection through real estate, neighborhood development, and mentoring others. Jason holds a B.A. in economics and sociology from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and an M.B.A. from the University of Florida. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, he thrives on podcasts, books, and conversations that spark new ideas. His approach to business reflects his belief that strong communities begin with trust, collaboration, and meaningful relationships.

Qiana Johnson is the founder of Life After Release Inc., a formerly incarcerated women-led organization supporting system-involved people across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. A Co-Conductor of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and national trainer with Silicon Valley Debug’s Participatory Defense, she organizes for post-conviction justice and accountability. Before her 2015 incarceration, Qiana completed 10 years of federal service and later earned a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Released in 2017, she immediately began advocating for prison abolition and equitable re-entry systems. Her work centers on challenging the judicial system’s integrity, advancing public safety without criminalization, and empowering formerly incarcerated women as leaders in their communities. A mother of two, Qiana uses her story to demand progressive change and accountability from local governments.

Nina Chernoff is a Professor at CUNY School of Law whose research focuses on the constitutional right to jury pools representing a fair cross-section of the community. Her scholarship—including “No Records, No Right,” cited by the Iowa Supreme Court in State v. Plain—has influenced courts and appeared on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Other notable works include Wrong About the Right and Black to the Future. Professor Chernoff advises courts and communities on jury diversity, delivering keynotes for the Washington State Supreme Court and consulting for the New Jersey Judiciary. Before CUNY, she taught at NYU Law and served as a staff attorney for the Public Defender Service in D.C., litigating systemic criminal justice issues. She clerked for Judge Thomas L. Ambro on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Professor Chernoff earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (magna cum laude), an M.S. in Justice, Law and Society from American University, and a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College.

Oscar Jerome Stewart is an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Management and a critical organizational scholar. His research examines power dynamics within and among organizations and how to build cooperative, equitable structures that bind members in mutual benefit. He studies corporate misconduct, organizational discrimination, and critical pedagogy while exploring ways to create fairer institutions. Outside academia, Professor Stewart rehabilitates rescued dogs and enjoys bouldering and hiking in the East Bay with his dogs Sho Nuff the Shogun, Assata Shakur, and Chaka Khan. He values personal growth through learning and community, approaching his work with the same spirit of care and discipline he brings to his life outside the classroom.