A Celebration of Transformation
The MOSES Transformation Celebration 2025 Gala stood as a powerful reminder of why our work matters and whom we serve. Throughout the evening, the energy in the room reflected a collective commitment to justice, restoration, and community transformation. The Gala was not merely a celebration — it was a gathering of people united by a shared belief that systems of mass incarceration and mass supervision can be dismantled when we work together with courage and persistence.
The evening was enhanced by delicious and well-prepared foods created by Goodworks Community Catering/Teenworks. WORT’s DJ Delirious kept the energy high with an excellent selection of music that added vibrancy to our celebration. The beautifully decorated venue provided an elegant backdrop for the event, with thoughtful details that reflected the spirit and mission of MOSES and made the 2025 Gala feel truly special.
The program began with a welcome from MOSES President Saundra Brown, followed by a moving reflection from Sister Toni Harris of the Sinsinawa Dominicans. We thanked MOSES past president, Eric Howland, for his ongoing dedication to our work. MOSES Community Organizer James Morgan gave us a new appreciation of the meaning of transformation in the lives of those who have been impacted by the criminal-legal system.
Myra Renee, president of Anesis Family Therapy, served as emcee for the awards. Linda Ketcham, executive director of JustDane, accepted the Community Impact Award for her organization. She described how JustDane offers support to formerly incarcerated people who are working to transform their lives.
The Transformation Honoree for 2025 was Shar-Ron Buie. Having served as associate director of JustDane, Shar-Ron has begun a new position as Data and Evaluation analyst in the Dane County Office of Justice Reform. He was introduced by an inspiring video and then presented with a beautiful blown glass piece. The list of Shar-Ron’s accomplishments and honors is long, beginning with completing his Bachelor’s Degree and earning 63 certifications and diplomas while incarcerated. His testimony was the most memorable and moving part of the evening, according to many attendees.
“I once thought my story ended with my mistakes, but it truly began when I decided to grow beyond them. Today, I use my experiences to lift others, because transformation is not just about me – it’s about what we can become together.” – Shar-Ron Blue
Special guests included Greg Jones of the NAACP, his wife, Gwen, and their daughter, Rebekah, of the Dane County Deferred Prosecution Program; Coleen Clark-Bernhardt, director of the Dane County Office of Justice Reform; Jael Currie, Community Court coordinator; Jerome Dillard, retired executive director of EXPO, and his wife; Diane Ballweg and Harry Haney of the Madison Justice Team; a member of the Caribbean Association of Madison, and members of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. Five justice impacted persons received scholarships to attend the event.
The 2025 Gala reminded us that the work ahead — though challenging — is achievable when rooted in solidarity and guided by the values of equity, compassion, and justice.
Acknowledgements
Gala Sponsors:
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
Summit Credit Union
Madison Gas & Electric
Grace Episcopal Church
Pamela Gates
Dick Goldberg
John Murphy
Anonymous donors
Gala Planning Team:
Mary Anglim, Saundra Brown, Lucy Gibson, James Morgan, Julia Slotnik, and the volunteers who set up and cleaned up
Media:
Dee Star: Interview Videographer
Talia Nchang: Expressions Photography
DJ: WORT’s D.J. Delirious (Demetrius Long)