DEAR FRIENDS OF JUST CITY
Over the past decade, Just City has evolved into a community of persistent, talented people who believe that justice and humanity have a place in Memphis. This year marks 10 years of paying bail, of clean slates, of courtroom accountability, and of legal victories we never thought we’d win.
We titled this report A Fire That Can’t Be Tamped Out because it reflects the spirit of this organization. The struggle is real, and at every turn we confront complex, outdated systems that were not designed to be fair. The recent occupation of Memphis by federal agents has only amplified the challenges before us. But what carries us forward is the fierce refusal to let injustice be the final answer.
In the pages ahead, you’ll meet five of our staff — Laramie, Yonée, Ashley, Katie, and Josh — through their own voices, the voices of the people they serve, and the stories they carry. Each narrative offers both a deep look into the trials of our work and a spark of hope: the persistence of individuals, mutual aid in action, and the ripple effects of even small wins.
We hope their stories move you just as Just City moves forward every day. And if you wonder why we continue to push the system to bend toward justice, this report is our answer: Because the stakes are too high, and the people we serve deserve no less. We can’t stop now.
Onward, together,
Alex Wharton
Board Chair
Showing Up for Justice
The truth is, this work is hard. It feels like new barriers arise every day: a law passed, a funding challenge, or just the weight of knowing how many people in Memphis are still trapped in an unjust system. But that’s exactly why we cannot stop.
As Director of Development, my job is to make sure Just City has the resources to keep going, no matter how tough the moment feels. That means inviting more people into the work. People who believe, as I do, that fairness shouldn’t depend on how much money you have.
This past year has been marked by both challenges and hope. We were invited to apply for support from the Public Welfare Foundation, one of the nation’s leading criminal justice funders — a sign that our work is being recognized far beyond Memphis. At the same time, I’ve been energized by new individual supporters here at home who bring fresh commitment to our mission.
And of course, our 10-year anniversary event, Stand Up with Just City, was a reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together. That night wasn’t just about raising money, it was about friends lending their time, expertise, and connections to a cause they believe in. It was about 250 people saying, with their presence, that this fight for justice matters.
The challenges ahead are real, but I’m optimistic knowing we are not alone. Every gift, every volunteer, every person who shows up makes a difference.
Katie Raines
Director of Development
Stand Up with Just City:
A 10-year Celebration
On June 8, 2025, more than 250 friends and supporters filled Minglewood Hall to celebrate Just City’s 10th anniversary. Stand Up with Just City brought to the stage Emmy-nominated comedian Roy Wood Jr. and Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson for an evening of laughter, reflection, and resolve.
It was part celebration, part call to action. Guests enjoyed good food and drinks, connected with one another, and heard powerful reminders of why this work matters more than ever. Together, we raised $165,555 to sustain Just City’s fight for fairness in Memphis and Tennessee.
“Stand Up with Just City showed the power of the community to support the critical work Just City does every day. A good reminder of the hope inherent in the work, an opportunity to connect with new and old friends, and of course, Roy Wood Jr. was hysterical.”
— Kat McRitchie
“I was very pleased to attend the 10th Celebration of Just City. Every day I wake up reminded that justice still matters. I loved the evening — the entertainment, the people, the energy — but most of all, I loved the cause behind it. And I pledge to continue the fight.”
— Ruby Wharton
“Just City’s work matters so deeply to me because everyone deserves a justice system that ensures fairness, dignity, and a true second chance — not just for some, but for all.“
— Tiffany Legington Graham, Just City Board Member
Through the maze
Every day I sit with people who carry the weight of a criminal record, sometimes for decades. Their stories can be heartbreaking. A mother whose case was dismissed but who still can’t pass a background check. A man denied a promotion because of a charge expunged in 1992 that still shows up in commercial databases. A grandfather whose single conviction from his twenties keeps him from going hunting with his grandkids.
These should be simple fixes. If a charge is dismissed, it should disappear. If a record is expunged, it should stay gone. But that’s not how the system works. In Tennessee, nothing is automatic. Every case is a petition, every process is a maze of paperwork, and every person faces fees, delays, and opaque decisions that too often feel like dead ends.
One client told me, “until you push a door, you don’t know how shut it is.” He was right. We pushed — through clerks, through TBI certifications, through new restrictions layered onto old laws — only to find more roadblocks. His conviction couldn’t be cleared, but the fight wasn’t wasted. We learned how these new barriers are operating in practice, and we stood with him so he didn’t face the system alone.
That’s the part that keeps me going. Behind every form and every file is a human being with hopes, disappointments, and rights worth fighting for.
This work is tiring, it’s unfair, and it’s getting harder. But that’s why I believe so deeply in it. Until record clearing is automatic and dignity can be restored without a price tag, we will keep showing up. And we hope you will do the same.
Ashley Peterson
Program Manager
Eyes on the Bench
When people think of court, they often picture the neat rows, microphones, and order they see on TV. What I, our volunteers, and our interns see every day is very different: noise, chaos, and too often, indifference to the people whose lives are on the line. That’s why Court Watch exists. Our presence brings accountability where it’s desperately needed.
This year, we’ve seen powerful progress. We launched Bench Notes, a monthly report that digs into judges’ practices and makes them visible to the public. For the first time, people can see patterns across courtrooms that were once hidden behind closed doors. Attorneys have told us Court Watch is their “anchor” — the consistent eyes and ears they can rely on when so much else feels stacked against fairness.
Another source of strength has been our intern program, which has grown significantly in recent years. Our interns bring energy, curiosity, and a sense of ownership to this work. I’ve watched them walk into courtrooms as quiet observers and leave with a deep sense of responsibility for their city. One of our interns, Lily, was called as a witness in a case after observing a judge’s misconduct. Her testimony made it into the record and helped move the case forward.
And thanks to our partnership with Rhodes College, two classes now offer credit for Court Watch. Imagine that: a liberal arts college saying to its students, “Learning how justice really works in Memphis courtrooms is worth your time, your grades, and your energy.” That’s how we build the next generation of advocates.
Our courts are outdated, inaccessible, and too often cruel. But every volunteer, every student, every Memphian who walks into those courtrooms with a notebook is helping to pull injustice into the light.
Yonée Gibson
Program & People Experience Manager
Building the Next Generation of Advocates
The Just City Internship Program has become a critical part of our work, offering students opportunities to learn, contribute to impactful projects, and grow as advocates for criminal justice reform. Each semester, students join us to support Just City’s core programs, policy advocacy, and organizational initiatives.
Since the program’s launch in 2017, we have hosted more than 40 interns who are now spread across the country (and even abroad), creating impact in their own communities. To build on that momentum, we’ve added retention incentives that encourage interns to return and grow with us, deepening their influence on Just City and Memphis.
“When I interned with Just City in its earliest days, I stepped into more than an office. I stepped into a community of visionaries who nurtured my growth and showed me the power of justice rooted in care and collaboration.”
— Franky Mills
2019 Intern, LeMoyne-Owen College
Justice Knows No Borders
Just City’s intern alumni are making an impact across the country — and beyond.
Hawk Allen
Shelby County Assistant Public Defender
Shelby County Public Defender’s Office
Memphis, TN
Intern 2018
Matthew Bellow
Vice President of Real Estate
Memphis Metropolitan
Land Bank Authority
Memphis, TN
Intern 2019
Kate Buikema
Fulbright Scholar
Fulbright Program
Razgrad, Bulgaria
Intern 2023–2025
Zoë Dominguez
Consultant
Jehl Consulting
Memphis, TN
Intern 2022–2025
Corbin Eilmes
Assistant Public Defender
Hamilton County Public Defender
Cincinnati, OH
Intern 2018–2019
Sam Frank
AmeriCorps Member
Campus Compact AmeriCorps
Austin, TX
Intern 2022–2023
Ethan Heilig
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Equipment Leasing & Finance Association
Washington, DC
Intern 2020
“Interning at Just City fundamentally reshaped how I view the criminal justice system and its impact on the community. With the support of staff, interns, and volunteers, I left the program more informed and deeply committed to working toward a more just city for all.”
— Kennedi Hopkins
2024 Intern, Rhodes College
Maya Hill
Associate Attorney
Millsap & Singer
St. Louis, MO
Intern 2020
Kennedi Hopkins
Overflow Case Manager
ROS Law Group
Memphis, TN
Intern 2024
Connor Hurley
Law Clerk
San Bernardino County
Public Defender’s Office
San Bernardino, CA
Intern 2018–2019
Chelsea Serzan
Staff Attorney
New Hampshire Public Defender
Dover, NH
Intern 2016–2017
Ellie McIntyre
Assistant Public Defender
Wake County Public Defender
Raleigh, NC
Intern 2021–2022
Christopher Meadows
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN
Intern 2018
“Just City gave me the opportunity to work directly with clients in the Clean Slate Fund. More than any other internship I did, the ability to work with clients to clear their records drove me to take a holistic, client-centered approach to representing people.”
— Connor Hurley
2018 Intern, Rhodes College
Franky Mills
Operations Analyst IV – Project Controller
SEPTA
Philadelphia, PA
Intern 2018–2019
Madeleine O’Toole
Event Coordinator
University of Chicago – Institute for Climate & Sustainable Growth
Chicago, IL
Intern 2020–2022
Alexander Peyton
Attorney Advisor
Federal Agency
Washington, DC
Intern 2016
Lily Resha
Teacher
Williamson County Schools
Arrington, TN
Intern 2023–2025
Isaac Segura
Associate Attorney
Adams & Reese
Houston, TX
Intern 2019–2020
Myles Shaw
Operations Specialist
FedEx
Memphis, TN
Intern 2024
Abby Waite
Software Analyst
Merge Solutions
Columbia, SC
Intern 2022
Fighting For Freedom
When I first started volunteering with Just City in 2020, I wasn’t sure where it would lead. But once you see the injustice up close — people misunderstood, overlooked, treated as disposable — you can’t unsee it. You can’t walk away. I remember thinking, “I just want to break a window.” That fire still drives me to fight for people who have no one on their side.
As coordinator of the Memphis Community Bail Fund and lead advocate for people in jail, I regularly receive letters from people who have nowhere else to turn. One of them was from Anthony, who had been sitting in jail for years without his time credits being applied. With help, we finally got those credits counted, and he was released earlier than anyone expected. After his release, he wrote to me again thanking Just City for our work. That moment still sits with me.
Then there was Myles, a wheelchair-bound man denied proper medical care until we fought to get him a new lawyer and a better deal. He’s out now, with access to surgery and the care he needs. And there was Norman, who waited almost six years in 201 Poplar before finally being sentenced, then nearly another year before he was transferred to the proper facility. I had to pressure the jail for months to make it happen. He, like many others, had no one else fighting for him or his rights.
So many people don’t understand how small a crime can be, compared to how life-altering the punishment is. I once paid a $3,000 bond for someone accused of stealing two pizzas and a Mountain Dew. That is what passes for “justice” in this system. That’s who we are advocating for.
This work can be exhausting. The system is designed to trap people, not free them. But every time we post bail, push paperwork, or fight for someone’s release, we prove it doesn’t have to be this way. My hope is that the Shelby County Jail once again becomes a temporary stopover — not a place where people disappear for years.
Laramie Wheeler
Bail Fund & Advocacy Coordinator
Letters from 201 Poplar
All quotes taken from letters received from people incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail.
HOLDING THE LINE
From the beginning, Just City has been pushing against a system that was built to resist change. In Memphis, where the inequities run deep, even the smallest reforms bring massive pushback. That’s why this work is still so difficult even after a decade. It’s also why we can’t stop.
This past year, we saw that clearly when the legislature passed a bill designed to undo Shelby County’s bail reforms. We helped create a standing bail order that made pretrial decisions fairer based on ability to pay, data, and best practices. It was progress. And it was working. But when state lawmakers filed a bill attacking it, our allies in county government stepped back. Just City did not. We stood alone at committee hearings with the data in hand, saying, “This is working. Don’t turn back the clock with unconstitutional legislation.”
The bill passed anyway. We sued. And though the struggle feels uphill, what matters is that we are still in it. We’ve now got independent academic studies validating what we knew all along: these kinds of reforms work, and they don’t make us less safe. Without Just City, those facts would never be part of the record.
The truth is, this work is harder today than it was yesterday, but we won’t back down. An adversarial state legislature, a hostile federal government, and decades of destructive, wasteful, and dangerous policymaking have presented a growing mountain of battles to fight.
But maybe — just maybe — it will be easier tomorrow because of what we do today. Sometimes people ask different questions because of our presence. Every so often, leaders hesitate instead of defaulting to “lock them up.” And every year, our community continues to give, even when the road gets tougher.
That is progress. And it’s why we keep showing up, every day, to hold the line for justice. Join us.
Josh Spickler
Executive Director
10 YEARS OF FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE
2015
Just City is founded in July 2015 to advocate for a smaller, fairer, more humane criminal justice system.
2016
The Memphis Community Bail Fund is established, along with a sister fund in Nashville, launching the first community bail funds in the South.
Just City files a federal class action lawsuit against the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office over the failed implementation of a new jail information system.
2017
Just City leads effort to change Tennessee law to allow the expungement of two convictions and reduce the filing fee from $350 to $180.
The Permanent Record podcast launches, bringing criminal justice reform stories to a wider audience.
2018
New law to end "safekeeping" transfers of children to adult prisons is signed by Gov. Haslam after a statewide effort led by Just City.
Federal court rules that automatic driver’s license suspensions for unpaid court debt are unconstitutional in a lawsuit brought by Just City.
Just City’s Court Watch program begins, producing public reports and integrating community data.
2019
Tennessee state expungement fee is eliminated in an effort led by Just City.
Clean Slate Fund surpasses 500 criminal records cleared.
2020
COVID-19 emergency bailout effort is launched, significantly increasing the number of bails paid to address dangerous jail conditions and health risks.
1 millionth bail fund dollar spent, the cost of freedom for 434 people over five years.
2021
Legislative advocacy expands, including policies to expand expungement eligibility and eliminate court fees.
2022
Shelby County agrees to comply with state bail law after advocacy spearheaded by Just City. The new system includes early appointment of counsel and timely, individualized bail hearings.
CleanSlateMemphis.com goes live to help improve awareness and access to expungement information, eligibility, and financial support.
2023
Court Watch program re-launches post-pandemic with a new observation rubric and Rhodes College partnership.
Memphis Community Bail Fund surpasses $2 million paid, helping hundreds avoid pretrial detention.
2024
Just City files lawsuit along with the ACLU challenging a new Tennessee law, which prohibits consideration of “ability to pay.”
Data Accountability Project expands, monitoring local court and policing transparency.
2025
Just City celebrates 10 years with the “Stand Up with Just City” event featuring comedian Roy Wood Jr., TN State Rep. Justin Pearson, and more than 250 supporters.
Just City responds to the federal occupation of Memphis by coordinating legal aid, paying bail, advising local leaders, and collecting data.
JUST CITY STAFF
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JOSH SPICKLER
Executive Director
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Katie Raines
Director of Development
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Yonée Gibson
Program & People Experience Manager
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Ashley Peterson
Program Manager
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Laramie Wheeler
Bail Fund & Advocacy Coordinator
