The CFSY held its second Freedom Celebration in the historic city of Philadelphia on November 13, 2025. The event was filled with revolutionary joy and overflowing gratitude. For those of us who grew up in prison, it was a powerful affirmation that we deserve not only a second chance, but also a life filled with healing, hope, love, and joy.
A pinnacle moment was honoring CFSY Co-Founder Bryan Stevenson, the Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative. Even before co-founding CFSY in 2009, he pushed many to think boldly about how we treat children, sparking a national movement to end extreme sentencing of youth. His groundbreaking arguments before the Supreme Court in the companion cases of both Graham v. Florida and Miller v. Alabama paved the way for youth sentencing reforms across the nation, leading to the release of thousands of individuals once condemned to die in prison or serve extreme sentences as children.
It was an honor of a lifetime to be able to thank him for his leadership and for representing our humanity in the courts of law and public opinion. A video tribute featuring members of the Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN) and the National Family Network (NFN) helped express our collective gratitude:
Over 300 guests – advocates, partners, survivors of violence, and loved ones – gathered in a city that represents both the deep pain of this issue and the incredible power of redemption. Once home to the largest population of children condemned to die in prison, Philadelphia is now home to the most life-sentenced children who are now free. We chose this site to reconcile with our difficult history, reclaim our humanity, and celebrate our right to redemption.
This Freedom Celebration was more than just an event; it is central to our work. It is at the core of our individual healing and community care strategy, and a demonstration of transformative healing and restorative justice in action. We believe that to dismantle injustice, to prevent harm, we must also build and nurture spaces for connection and joy. Celebration is not a distraction from the work; it is essential to it.
While there is still much work to be done to achieve our collective freedom, we are so glad that this gathering allowed us to embrace the revolutionary acts of pausing, breathing deeply, laughing, dancing, and celebrating.
