Sun over green hills art. Text: "ILLUMINATE" in an orange gradient. Text: "2021 APSE Virtual Conference: Lighting the Path Forward for Employment First."

Drumroll, please...

The first announced APSE Virtual Conference keynote presenter is...

Hasan Davis

Hasan will speak to the intersectionality of disability, the juvenile justice system, race, and poverty.
Hasan Davis has been recognized internationally for his professional and personal efforts serving the needs of our children, youth and their families across a continuum of care from early education to juvenile justice. 
Hasan Davis is a Black man speaking, wearing a suit, tie, and glasses.
Cover page of Hasan's book.

About Hasan

In 2008 Hasan joined the executive leadership team of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. In 2012 Hasan became Kentucky’s fifth Commissioner of Juvenile Justice. During his tenure as Commissioner, he was instrumental in pushing SB200, which contained sweeping juvenile reform legislation, through the Kentucky General Assembly. SB200 was signed into law in April of 2014 and is now transforming Kentucky’s juvenile justice and other youth-serving systems.

Now, Hasan spends the majority of his time as a youth advocate and national speaker/trainer providing technical assistance and support to youth-serving organizations across the country.  Hasan’s work and passion are rooted in his own early life experiences with justice, education, and social service systems that often failed to provide him with the tools and support he needed to thrive.

APSE Podcast: Employment First, Employment for All
4/26/2021 Podcast episode!

Listen in to hear from one of the #2021APSE Virtual Conference keynote speakers, Hasan Davis, J.D.! In conversation with National APSE's Erica Belois-Pacer, they dive into why #EmploymentFirst needs to include conversations about race, poverty, and juvenile justice systems. Listen to get to know Hasan and his background.

APSE Employment First, Employment for All. The Podcast with microphone.

In 2014 Hasan published Written Off: How One Man’s Journey through Disability, Poverty, and Delinquency is Transforming the Juvenile Justice System. In 2019 he published his first children’s book, The Journey of York, Unsung hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Which chronicles the experience of the Corps of Discovery’s only African-American member, an enslaved man named York. Hasan lives in Berea, Kentucky with his wife and two sons.

After physical isolation and tracking that did not address his undiagnosed Dyslexia and ADHD in elementary school to an early arrest as a pre-teen and expulsion from an alternative school. Hasan earned his GED and decided to leave the life he knew well, for one he could hardly imagine. Hasan went on to attend Berea College. And, although Hasan was expelled from Berea College twice, he returned a third time, determined to prove that failure would not be his legacy. With the right attitude and support, Hasan earned his BA degree from Berea College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Journey of York cover page.

What APSE Members Say...

Janell Turner, Kentucky APSE

Sun over green hills art. Text: "ILLUMINATE" in an orange gradient. Text: "2021 APSE Virtual Conference: Lighting the Path Forward for Employment First." Images of 5 APSE members shown. Text: Illuminate”. National APSE. Lighting the Path forward for Employment First.