Webinar Date: December 17, 2025, 1 pm ET/12 pm CT
For far too long, the U.S. criminal legal system has functioned less as a source of justice and more as a mechanism for racial control, surveillance, and punishment — particularly for Black boys and men. From its roots in enslavement and sharecropping to today’s mass incarceration the system has consistently undermined rights, eroded opportunities, and deepened inequities.
Yet, amid these realities, progress is possible when communities lead the way. This webinar, drawing from the Our Dreams Won’t Be Deferred report, will explore how we can reimagine justice through prevention, restoration, and equity-centered policy reform. Panelists will discuss:
- Scaling community-based violence prevention and restorative justice practices
- Reforming policing and eliminating discriminatory sentencing
- Advancing pretrial justice and reentry programs that restore rights and opportunities
- Addressing cross-system drivers of criminalization and ensuring economic security
By centering the voices of those most impacted and investing in community-based solutions, we can build a system rooted in dignity, accountability, and true public safety. Join us for a conversation that shifts the focus from punishment to possibility.
Lakesha McDay (she/her), President, The Moriah Group
Bio
Lakesha McDay is a respected equity-centered leader with over 25 years of experience driving systems change through collaboration and partnerships with community members, government officials, education leaders, grassroots organizations, philanthropy partners, and executive leaders. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations at New Hanover Community Endowment, leading initiatives to foster equity and strategic community impact. She has also held key roles, including Executive Director of Governmental and Community Relations at UNC Asheville and Equity Officer at Dogwood Health Trust, and spent over 20 years advancing health outcomes with Mission Health in western North Carolina. Lakesha holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a certificate in Innovation Management, and certification as a National Diversity Professional, complementing her extensive experience in equitable practices and leadership development.
Rev. Philip Cooper (he/him), Founder, Operation Gateway Inc.
Bio
Reverend Philip Cooper, a Western North Carolina native, is an accomplished reentry expert and criminal justice reform advocate. He is the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Operation Gateway Inc., dedicated to reducing recidivism by addressing the social determinants of health for returning citizens. He also founded Voices of Affrilachia, a state-funded initiative tackling behavioral health stigma in marginalized communities. Reverend Cooper has been recognized with numerous honors, including the MLK Service Award, the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award, the 2024 Recovery Role Model Award, SAMHSA’s 2024 Innovator of the Year, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builder, and TIME Magazine’s 2025 CLOSER Honoree. He is an Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow, a Leading with Conviction Fellow with JustLeadership USA, and an ambassador for Just Economics of WNC. As Pastor of Friends of John Recovery Ministry, he champions the belief that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.
Minister SERVER Tavares (he/him), Hip Hop Cultural Strategist – Hip Hop Bridge Builders and HIPHOP Ministries
Bio
Minister SERVER Tavares – Hip Hop Cultural Strategist, a dynamic leader with spiritual conviction, inspirational skills, and practical solutions. He is a committed leader with integrity who has spent over 40 years dedicated to the development, growth, and preservation of Hip Hop culture.
From 1992-2003, he worked with Nation Time Syndicate, the first Hip Hop collective in Atlanta, GA, which consisted of artists, organizers, teachers, leaders, businesses and organizations. Through NTS he utilized his skills as a writer, organizer, MC/Host, activist, consultant, motivational speaker and the Executive Director.
In 2003, he graduated from the Barbara King School of Ministry School in Atlanta, GA. Right before his graduation, Hip Hop pioneer KRS-One hired him as his Spiritual Advisor, appointed him Lead Minister and International Organizer with the Temple of Hip Hop M.A.S.S. movement.
In 2005, Minister SERVER founded Higher Infinite Power Healing Our People -HIPHOP Ministries, to utilize his skills working with individuals and organizations to “Enlighten, Inspire and Empower” people through Hip Hop culture! He currently serves as the Founder/Spiritual Director of Hip Hop Bridge Builders LLC, which teaches Hip Hop culture as life-strategies for self-identification; self-improvement; and self-empowerment.
Minister SERVER Tavares is a father of six adult children, Grandfather of seven, he resides in Atlanta, GA.
Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain (she/her), Executive Director, Live Free Illinois
Bio
Ciera Bates-Chamberlain was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She is committed to furthering the fight for social and economic justice by strengthening communities through radical theology. As the Executive Director of Live Free Chicago-Live Free Illinois, Bates-Chamberlain is working with Black churches to create safe, economically viable, and self-sustained Black communities. She is an adjunct professor at Northeastern University, a mental health professional, and founder of Golden Goals Consultants. In 2013, she was ordained by Global Ministries House of Prayer, where she serves as the church administrator for the Chicago congregation. Bates-Chamberlain is a Just Leadership USA and Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow.
Marlon Richardson AKA UnLearn (he/him), Executive Director, HipHop For Change, Inc.
