THE BURN LIST: THE CONSEQUENCES OF PRIORITIZING POWER OVER PEOPLE and THE MIDWEST INNOCENCE PROJECT (MIP) IS MARKING A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. Host Terri Wilke will speak with Julie Cruse, a writer, advocate, and former academic working to expose and dismantle abuse in higher education. Cruse has become a leading voice for survivors navigating academic systems that too often protect institutions over people. She is the founder of AcademicAbuse.com, a survivor-led platform that documents abuse of power in universities and provides resources for both faculty and students navigating trauma and seeking justice. Cruse’s advocacy is grounded in the belief that academic abuse is a systemic problem tied to unchecked authority and weak enforcement of Title VII and Title IX protections. Through her work, she connects individual stories to broader labor and social justice issues, showing how abuse is allowed to persist inside institutions tasked with advancing the public good and teaching the next generation. Her book, The Burn List, A Memoir of Abuse from Home to Higher Education is based on the testimonies of survivors. It traces how academic exploitation unfolds over time and why existing reporting mechanisms so often fail.   Host Keith Brown El will speak with representatives of the Midwest Innocence Project including Executive Director Tahir Atwater, Board Member and former KC Chiefs and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Will Shields. The Midwest Innocence Project celebrates 25 years of freedom with a Faces of Innocence “Be the Light” Event on April 30th, 2026. The Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) is a not-for-profit dedicated to investigating, litigating, and exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals across five states. They are marking a significant milestone  and inviting the community to take part. On Thursday evening, April 30 (7-9 p.m.) MIP will host its Faces of Innocence: Be the Light event at the Midland Theatre, celebrating 25 years in the fight for freedom. With lives still waiting to be restored, this moment calls for action. Tickets and sponsorships are available now at themip.org under “Faces of Innocence 2026.” Faces of Innocence is MIP’s signature annual fundraiser—and this year’s event carries added urgency. The evening will spotlight the real impact of MIP’s work: bringing innocent people home, advancing ongoing cases, and accelerating efforts to free those still wrongfully convicted. Guests will engage with immersive experiences and interactive exhibits that bring these stories to life. A Golden Ticket Raffle offers the chance to win one of three dream vacation packages, while drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. Attendees will also hear a powerful musical performance by MIP client Faye Jacobs, who was released after 26 years of incarceration; MIP continues its efforts to have her conviction overturned. Adding to the evening’s significance, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Kansas City Chiefs lineman Will Shields—a dedicated MIP Board Member—will host an exclusive Golden Hour Reception for sponsors. Held in the Midland’s Chandelier Bar, this intimate pre-event gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with Shields and support a cause where time truly matters. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.   https://kkfi.org/listen/