On May 10, 2024, the Just Discipline Project (JDP) hosted the Duquesne City School District Youth Empowerment Conference. The conference was organized by JDP’s Lead Restorative Practice Coordinator (Lead RPC) Molly Means, as well as by RPC’s Spencer Scott and Rodney Gaskins-Acie. JDP’s Duquesne K-8 student Leaders in Training also assisted in organizing the conference.
Funded by the Institute for Educational Sciences, RK Mellon Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments, JDP looks at the impact of restorative practices on student disciplinary and academic outcomes; how treatment effects vary by student- and school-level characteristics; the impact of restorative practices on students’ engagement and perceptions of school climate; and the barriers to and supports for successful JDP implementation across schools, among other areas. Dr. James Huguley serves as PI on the project.
This year’ focus for the annual conference was social justice and advocacy. Duquesne Leaders in Training have spent most of the year learning about social justice issues through the lens of black history and current events that impact communities of color.
Speakers included: Chardae Jones, Braddock Borough Councilwoman and Former Mayor; Fawn Walker Montgomery, CEO and Founder Take Action Advocacy Group; Joshua Devine, Economic Mobility Officer The Pittsburgh Foundation; and Latoya Pitts and George Tyler, CURE Mon Valley. 
Sessions covered topics such as “Examining How Narratives Can Influence Yourself and Others” (Rodney Gaskins-Acie, JDP) and “Expressions Through the Art of Music” (Spencer Scott, JDP).
“The purpose of this conference was to provide students with the opportunity to engage with change agents from across the Pittsburgh region,” said Molly Means, who is also the Restorative Practice Coordinator for the Duquesne City School District. “I wanted students to be able to learn from local leaders as well as connect with their peers. The biggest take away I hope my students had is that their voice matters, their ideas are valuable and they have the power to shape the world in a positive way.”
Students who attended the conference expressed their enthusiasm for the speakers and discussions they were a part of: “I would like to work in social justice one day on racial justice. I would want to help end racial violence. People still talk about Middle Eastern, Asian people and black people badly. I want to stop that,” said Hamzeh Alsholi, Duquesne K-8 6th Grade Student, JDP Leader in Training.
“Our team is excited to be able to create these opportunities for youth to be empowered now,” noted Dr. Huguley. “They do not have to wait to be change agents in their communities. Part of restoration in schools is for young people to feel included and active in the fight for justice in their own communities.”