On Saturday night, the REFORM Alliance’s second annual Casino Night Gala at the Ocean Casino Resort raised over $20 million, a significant step toward transforming America’s criminal justice system. The black-tie event, hosted by Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and JAY-Z, showcased a performance by The Weeknd and was attended by a roster of celebrities from sports, business, and entertainment. However, beyond the glamour, the evening’s focus was clear: creating a justice system that offers opportunity, not just punishment.
At the heart of the organization’s mission is CEO Jessica Jackson. Speaking with The Source at the gala, Jackson spoke about the deeply personal motivation behind her work. “21 years ago when I had first had my daughter, I was just a high school dropout,” she shared. “It was my husband who went to prison. He came out, he got a technical violation.”
Jackson described feeling “so lonely, so isolated, so unsupported” during that time and knows her story is not unique. She highlighted the 3.7 million people currently “trapped on supervision” and emphasized that the gala gives them hope. The presence of major figures like JAY-Z, Rubin, and Bob Kraft sends a powerful message of support and investment, promoting “pathways to wellbeing and support.”
Jackson also detailed the tangible progress REFORM has made. “We have worked really hard to pass 22 bills in 12 different states,” she said. “We’ve created a pathway for people to earn their way off of probation and parole. About 850,000 people so far.” She also spoke about the new Work Matters initiative, which aims to help people on supervision secure jobs. Jackson explained that employment will “reduce recidivism for sure” and give individuals “dignity and…a reason to get up and do better every day.”
What makes REFORM’s approach unique is its collaborative strategy. Jackson explained that instead of applying a “one-size-fits-all package,” the organization works directly with local stakeholders—including law enforcement, formerly incarcerated people, their families, and business and faith leaders—to build a coalition. This ensures that the solutions are common-sense reforms tailored to each state’s specific needs, allowing them to “move the ball” forward.
The event’s success reaffirms REFORM’s commitment to creating a more just and equitable society, showing that collaboration and a shared mission can drive meaningful, lasting change.