Nneka Upkai

Youth Justice Network was founded in 1990, at the alternative high school on Rikers Island, to address the disproportionate incarceration of young people of color and support them as they returned home. YJN’s mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build a more equitable justice system. For more than 30 years, YJN has supported young people whose lives intersect with NYC jails and justice systems by providing them with individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead.