SFU Public Square’s Post

Did you know LSC is celebrating 50 years of bridging the justice gap? Our work is impossible without LSC. "We know that 92% of the legal needs of low-income Americans are not being met. This shortfall in providing legal help to people eligible for it is the Justice Gap. America is founded on the promise of equal justice for all. " Learn more at lsc.gov/celebrate50

Today we honor Juneteenth and celebrate the emancipation and freedom of Black people once enslaved. White supremacy was interwoven with the founding and history of the U.S., our capital, and DC. The nation’s capital was established on land annexed from Potomac slave plantations. Enslaved African Americans constructed the White House and the Capitol. For their forced labor, enslaved African Americans received no wages, while the government paid their enslavers. Washington, DC was also a bustling thoroughfare for the slave trade, with traffickers selling enslaved African Americans throughout the South. https://lnkd.in/dyHwN9h8 Today—160 years after the Civil War—there are resurgent forces glorifying our history of slavery. Just one month ago, in May 2024 Shenandoah County School Board voted to rename two Virginia public schools after Confederate Generals who fought to keep African Americans in bondage. In June 2024 the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights went to court on behalf of the VA NAACP and five Shenandoah high school students—to challenge the School Board’s action to take Shenandoah backward in time. We are proud to stand with those courageous VA students fighting for their right to education free of racial discrimination. Please stand with us. https://lnkd.in/dfDtK2wv #Juneteenth #racialjustice #StandWithUs #Reparations

Thrilled and honored to be a part of this panel! Please save the date and join the conversation for an insightful discussion. Details below ☺️

D.C. Policy Center is making headlines! 📰 Check out the "In the News" page on our website to see how the Policy Center's work is impacting the District: https://lnkd.in/eGSX6ApN

Studies show that the arts boost the economy, enhance quality of life, and improve education. When speaking to elected officials, emphasize these points and use specific, relevant data. Advocacy is essential year-round. Use this Missouri Arts Council Fact Sheet to support your case >> https://loom.ly/02rA7vw

Over the weekend, we joined forces in Selma to address the urgent matter of #VotingRights. Meanwhile, our legal team is in Mississippi working alongside ACLU, ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Center For Justice, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP to prevent the dilution of Black voting power. Dive deeper into this crucial trial: https://lnkd.in/eVG2iNb4 

ICYMI: This #BlackHistoryMonth, join a vital conversation on justice & resilience. In our free on-demand webinar, you'll hear directly from a panel of pioneers who've navigated challenges and championed inclusivity. https://bit.ly/3IfHj7e

At the institutional level, jumping through hoops of bureaucracy makes the support of labor in the arts sparse. But on an individual level, there are many avenues for creative disruption,” writes Chenoa Baker in her essay for the latest issue of the Journal “The Four G’s of Marginalized Labor in the Arts: Grease, Gristle, Grit, and Grind.” In this essay, Chenoa lays out the ways she has individually carved out rights and gained visibility for labor in the arts throughout her career as an arts worker and advocate. 📖 To learn more about her contributions, read the newest issue of The Journal here https://lnkd.in/gaNrNqv5 🎨: Eriko Hattori

So great to share, in my paper, to the International Access to Justice Forum this morning, how listening to community and co- designing embedded research and evaluation are critical. Not only building an evidence base but for ensuring money is well spent and directed at people centred justice. Great to see such a high level of international interest in the work and make connections with committed people wanting to learn more and asking questions on how it's done. Reflective action research that at every stage that seeks community voice and is shaped by lived experience is rare and then this is integrated into practice. The privilege/honour that Hume Riverina Community Legal Service and the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (in their integrated practice models) have given me enables me to work with and for community to design, test and seek the Aboriginal communities views of what justice, good outcomes and effective service looks like. The studies have been occuring for almost a decade and trust is key, but, only built over time and due to sustained funded programs.  The trauma informed collaborative research and evaluation model is seeing community sharing so we can all learn what good looks like and document and better understand the harm caused by bad. The legal system and lawyers have much to learn. The willingness and bravery of these two services to listen and change are exceptional. Can't wait to do more testing in May! For more see https://lnkd.in/e8FD9Yfe

Really looking forward to moderating a panel discussion on Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: Black-Owned Business Leading Transformation! This panel features six entrepreneurs who are all graduates of American University Washington College of Law.