Paid Opportunity for Educators: Reporting For Reflection & Connection—The Legacy of Wrongful Convictions in Chicago

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“According to the National Registry of Exonerations, Cook County has exonerated more people than any other county in the United States. Many of those cases involve patterns of misconduct—particularly during the 1980s and 1990s—including coerced confessions, fabricated evidence, and corrupt detectives. In 2019, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said wrongful convictions were 'the civil rights issue of our time.'"

—Ashonti Ford, Pulitzer Center grantee, “'It Was Like Being a Martian on Earth': Two Chicago Men Reflect on Life After Wrongful Convictions”

• How are we connected to the lived experiences of people, especially young people, impacted by the criminal justice system?
• What responsibilities do educators and schools have in supporting young people impacted by the criminal justice system? 
• How can we employ curiosity to connect with other criminal justice news stories and deepen our understanding of a human rights issue?

In this paid event, participants will explore a news story about four Chicago teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in 1995 and served thirty-four years incarcerated before being exonerated. They will hear from journalist and Pulitzer Center grantee Ashonti Ford on how corruption in our justice system compels vulnerable people into forced confessions and ultimately wrongful convictions.

Through a series of discussion-based activities, teachers will explore the impact and legacy of police misconduct, the journey towards exoneration, the challenges of re-entering society, and the importance of family and community in supporting detained individuals. Participants will consider what makes young people and people of color more vulnerable to wrongful convictions and what role schools could have in supporting students before and after engagements with the criminal justice system and in the exoneration process of wrongfully convicted youth. After identifying themes in the reporting, teachers will explore the criminal justice stories page and develop a text set for themselves and/or their students.

What is the Reporting for Reflection & Connection Series?

The Reporting for Reflection & Connection series is designed to provide a reflective space for educators to discover how news stories can be a powerful tool for connection, interpersonal understanding, and personal growth.

Who is eligible to attend?

Eligible participants include classroom teachers, administrators, and content specialists supporting Chicago public and public charter schools, out-of-school-time program staff and administrators, and educators supporting programming for youth in carceral facilities.

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 10:00am-1:30pm CDT. Lunch will be provided.

Where: Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60612

Stipend: Each participating educator will receive a $50 stipend for attending, engaging, and completing a post-event survey.

Registration: This event is designed for up to 35 participants. Educators are required to register for the session and will be admitted on a rolling basis. The Pulitzer Center will hold up to 10 additional educators on a wait list. Waitlisted educators will be notified two to three days before the event if a space is available due to cancellations from earlier attendees.