The Tenor of Justice: A Night of Power, Purpose & Praise

06/01/25

If you were in the sanctuary of the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield on May 25, 2025, then you already know — something extraordinary happened.

This was not just a concert. It was not just a gathering. It was a movement. The inaugural “Tenor of Justice” event brought together music, testimony, truth-telling, and a spirit of community so strong it shook the walls — and touched every soul in the room.

From the very first blessing to the final chorus, Tenor of Justice delivered an unforgettable tapestry of voices — singing, speaking, and standing up for justice. We celebrated courage. We mourned injustice. We bore witness. And we lifted one another higher.

Why This Night Mattered

  • Pastor Todd Willard opened the evening with a heartfelt welcome that reminded us why sacred spaces matter for sacred work.
  • Nyesha and J. Stan McCauley, our dynamic emcees, made history together — blending warmth, humor, and solemnity as they ushered us through a night of purpose.
  • Powerful performances like “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “We Shall Overcome” set the tone, performed by the BUMC Bell Choir who reminded us that the future is listening.
  • A stirring tribute by Dr. Charles Frazier transformed the nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty” into a chilling analogy for the trauma of wrongful accusations.
  • Peter Little and Ken Potter shared riveting case stories — including those of Gordon Cole Jr. and Mervin Scarlett — showing how AJP’s advocacy is changing lives and challenging injustice in real time.
  • The emotional crescendo came with the debut of “Were You There: A Tribute to George Floyd,” a haunting rendition performed by Patricia Gray, which left the room in stunned silence — and sacred resolve.

   


Christopher Dukes: From Surviving to Leading

Co-founder and President Christopher Dukes delivered a Medley of Affirmation and a raw, powerful testimony about his own harrowing experience with the chokehold of malicious prosecution. From being stripped of dignity and nearly everything else — to being restored by truth and faith — his journey is a beacon for others seeking justice.

His story is not just his own. It is the foundation upon which AJP (American Justice Project) was built. And his voice — strong, unwavering, rooted in faith — is itself an example of the Tenor of Justice.

Honoring Guardians of Justice

The evening also honored six trailblazers as the Inaugural Guardians of Justice:

  • Cornell Lewis

  • Dwight Harrison

  • Mark Ostow

  • J. Stan McCauley

  • Anne Goshdigian

  • Sean Ellis, whose own story of wrongful conviction and ultimate exoneration was featured in Netflix’s Trial 4.

These individuals embody what it means to stand in the gap for others.

This was not just an event. It was a reckoning. A revival. A moment of truth wrapped in song, spirit, and solidarity.

Join the movement.
Get involved.
Make sure you’re in the room when history happens again.

Video highlights will be released over the coming weeks on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL — subscribe to be notified and follow us on your preferred social platform to continue the conversation.

Thanks to our friends at 104.9 Good News Connecticut / WIHSradio.org for capturing the event in such a beautiful audio recap. 

CATCH THE BROADCAST AUDIO WITH CAPTIONS HERE!

 

Visit americanjusticeproject.org/join to be part of the solution.