What We Saw, Heard, and Learned from Danielle Jurinsky's Conversation with Brother Jeff

The Road Called STRATE was in the room.

We were there, front and center, for the full conversation between Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky and Brother Jeff Fard. Like many of you—we watched, we listened, and we paid close attention to every comment, reaction, and moment.

Let’s keep it real—the energy was thick. Tension. Skepticism. Criticism. But also? Truth. Accountability. And, above all, conversation.

Not a debate. Not a shouting match. A real conversation. The kind that makes you pause. The kind that reminds us: maybe finding common ground isn’t as far-fetched as it feels.

We know Danielle Jurinsky’s name doesn’t sit well with everybody. If you walked away from that livestream with questions or discomfort, we’re not here to tell you you’re wrong. That’s real. That’s valid.

But here’s what else is real:

We saw a woman walk into the heart of Five Points, sit across from a Black man, and speak face to face—no press team, no spin, no filters. Just two people showing up with honesty. We saw someone willing to own her past, acknowledge the harm, and listen.

We heard her talk about work that rarely makes headlines:

• Pushing for better mental health access—especially for underserved communities dealing with traumatic brain injuries.

• Supporting public safety through prevention, not just punishment.

• Sitting in real-time dialogue with people who don’t look like her, vote like her, or live like her.

At The Road Called STRATE, we believe in progress over perfection. In dialogue over division. We believe it’s possible to disagree with someone and still recognize their humanity—and the good they’re trying to do.

So yes, we were there. And yes, we saw your comments. But we’re not here to echo the noise. We’re here to bridge gaps and build with the communities most often ignored, overlooked, and underserved—especially those navigating reentry.

We’re not asking you to agree with everything that was said. And we’re not here to tell you how to feel.

What we are saying is this:

Maybe what we witnessed; two people from different worlds coming together to talk, is what progress actually looks like.

Because this ain’t about “you” or “them” or “they.”

It’s about us.

One community. One future. One table where we all belong.

And don’t get it twisted—this work isn’t new for us.

For 25 years, we’ve been going strong—10 toes down. We’ve been the black sheep, the outliers, the ones who kept showing up even when no one else would. With or without support. With or without a spotlight. With or without permission.

We’ve been here. We’re still here. And we’re not going anywhere.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep building—together.

"FOREVER FORWARD"