Social Justice Learning Inst.

☝🏾 Each one lift one. 💪🏾The Social Justice Learning Institute is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as one of the 20 organizations who received a donation from the proceeds of pgLang’s recent The Pop Out: Ken & Friends show at the Forum in Inglewood, where each artist chose a local organization to support. “The impact of pgLang’s The Pop Out: Ken & Friends is still pulsing throughout the community. It was such a moment for the culture. This donation carries that weight with it as well,” said SJLI Executive Director Derek Steele. “So, to be selected as a part of the continuum of that energy is not taken lightly.” We want to thank @kendricklamar , @pglang , and @freelunchagency for considering us to be a part of this important story. We have nothing but gratitude and are poised to utilize these resources effectively to benefit the people we serve. To our fellow organizations who also received this tremendous honor, we congratulate you. There is a strong synergy between what we are all doing. The future looks bright with us all in it together. . . . #thankyou #kendricklamar #pglang #westcoast #hiphop #fortheculture #watts #compton #community #communitysupport #communitylove #togetherwecan #forthepeople #togetherwerise #fortheloveofcommunity #forum #inglewood #inglewoodpride #strongertogether

This month we kicked off our Rogers Park Summer Camp class series. We started off our first class with a fun relay race where campers had to work together as a team to build a Choose My Plate food model. With a variety of food cards, they each choose one for each of the 5 major food groups to make a healthy plate. In our second class, we followed up the relay race with an interactive memory game to name fruits and vegetables from A-Z and test our ability to remember each other’s responses.   After the ice breaker games, every camper took part in making their own healthy snacks full of fresh fruits like strawberries, cherries, grapes and more.  This year’s series will be awesome and we are exited to share our upcoming camp classes with you!  Special thanks to Rogers Park staff, our amazing Health Equity Summer Intern Avery and our energetic summer campers who made each class this month such special ones!!! #health #healthylifestyle #class #community #summercamp #rogerspark #inglewood #calfreshhealthyliving #myplate #youth #eachoneteachone #healthyliving #healthandwellness #choosemyplate

🧠 🗣️ The SJLI Urban Advocates team sharpened their persuasive speech and exposition skills in a debate about the video games and its impact on child and adolescent development. Before diving into critical discussions about heavier topics like policing, mental health, gentrification, imperialism, casual misogyny, gendered violence, etc., our students like to warm up with more lighthearted debates like Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake. Here’s a look. . .🎥 @gabo.regalado . #Youthdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #criticalconversations #criticalconsciousness #learn #grow #change #mindset #topics #debate #watch #youth

✈️ LA to Cuba 🇨🇺 With applications for our Youth Justice Fellowship closing in just 3 days, we thought we’d take you back to February 2024 when we partnered with Regla Soul to host a Cuba Solidarity Tour. Fellows explored the country’s rich history, agricultural traditions, the intersection of race and food sovereignty, spirituality, Afro-Cuban rebellion, herbal medicine traditions contributed by Africa, and the benefits of rural farming. Here’s a look at their eye-opening trip—a musical and dance performance by the award-winning rumba ensemble The Rumba All Stars, a hidden black history of Habana Vieja walking tour and discussion with Afro-Cuban Journalist and Scholar Roberto Zurbano, a Waking Plant Tour at the Finca Rincon del Cristo with director Armando Rojas, a tour of the Hermanos Los Cabrales y los Primos farm, and more. ********************************** The Youth Justice Fellowship (YJF) at the Social Justice Learning Institute is an intensive leadership development program that engages an annual cohort of 10 youth leaders in community building, international travel, and research skill development over 12 months. This leadership experience helps young adult activists develop a global critical consciousness by strengthening participants’ intellectual capacity to respond to societal injustices through rigorous training, action research, and direct organizing. Fellows also focus on delving into the systemic barriers within critical issue areas and generating bold solutions. If you are 18 to 25 years old, live in Los Angeles County, demonstrate a passion for social justice, can commit to 12 months of training, and can gain eligibility to travel internationally, we encourage you to join YJF. To learn more and apply, head to the links in our bio! . . . #youthjustice #fellowship #youth #callforapplicants #apply #applynow #travel #international #youthdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #global #community #communitybuilding #changemakers

SJLI students and alumni joined the Police-Free Schools Coalition to hold LAUSD Superintendent Carvalho and the Board accountable for their commitment to implementing the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) and care-first alternatives to LASPD/school police. We know victories aren’t won overnight. The marathon continues! Shout out to everyone strategizing, mobilizing, and continuing this ever-growing fight. 💪 #JusticeForYouth #EndSchoolToPrisonPipeline #youthjustice #equity #carenotcops #carefirst #policefreelausd #unity #demandchange #advocacy #justice #education #youth #leadershipdevelopment #changemakers #standup #bethechangeyouwanttosee

💪🏽🍽️ At SJLI, we’re using food as a vehicle for conversations and community building. Through food and community workshops, we teach people about their health and wellness, empowering individuals to take control of their health and fostering a supportive community. Recently, our @sjli_healthequity team hosted a garden day at Queen Park. Community members came through to pull up weeds, clean the garden beds, plant seeds provided by our friend @theplantplugla , turn the soil, and water it. Families also participated in garden arts and crafts and gleaned tips on how to better garden from wherever they are. We even did a bit of harvesting! The next day, our @sjli_urbanleaders and dedicated community volunteers helped us give away fresh fruits and vegetables to our food justice partners and create produce bags for senior center facilities thanks to partner @foodforward , who ensures no food goes to waste. We then set up a community market right outside our office where community members chose the different varieties of fruits and vegetables they wanted. 🥦🍓🛒 Helping our community connect to their food is important, so we hosted a community workshop and food demonstration to discuss the history of cultural foods from the Black diaspora and the health benefits of salt-free seasonings. Each participant left with their own homemade seasoning shakers. 🌍🧂✨ Thank you to everyone who participated! Your dedication and unity are what ensure our communities thrive and live well. Together, we’re making a difference. . . #gardenday #gardeninspiration #healthequity #healthandwellness #community #communitysupport #inglewood #urbangardening #learn #grow #change #bethechange #nonprofit #helpinghands #eachoneteachone #equity #giveback #healtheducation #workshops #fooddemonstration

“In recognizing the historical and ongoing struggles for racial equality, the NBA Foundation has committed itself to advancing economic empowerment and social justice.” “The Social Justice Learning Institute and Capital IDEA Houston are two nonprofit organizations embodying this mission. “ -NBA.com Learn more about these amazing organizations via the link in our story 🔗 #FoundationFriday #NBAFoundation

🍎 PRODUCE GIVEAWAY! 🥬 TONIGHT and every Thursday evening until August 1st, we’re partnering with @lacountyparks and @calfreshhealthyliving for Summer Parks After Dark events. Join us, starting at 6 p.m. We will be providing fresh produce to families as they enjoy the park activities. Early arrival is encouraged as produce bags will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Swipe to see the dates, locations, and where we’ll be. We look forward to seeing you soon! #summer #parksafterdark #lacountyparks #food #community #health #wellness #produce #free #producedistribution #giveaway

At SJLI, we honor the strength, courage, wisdom and unrelenting spirit of those who fought and continue to fight for freedom. We believe that it is our generation’s responsibility to continue the work that ends systemic anti-Black racism and creates a world truly centered in Black belonging. Because we know that Black people belong, there is space for us all to belong as well. The fight for equity and justice continues, and Juneteenth is a a moment for us to remember, to celebrate the victories and also be reminded of the work that still lies ahead. ✊🏾 #FreedomDay #BoldBlackLA #Liberation #Love #Life #Celebrate

You did it! Yes, you! Thanks to amazing volunteers like you, and our Health Equity staff, the green tomatoes 🍅 at Queen Park Learning Garden are blossoming beautifully. Once harvested, they will find themselves on the tables of local community members, who we plant for. We’re talking fried green tomatoes, delicious salsa verde, tomato salad, and relish! 😋 Stay connected to @queenparklearninggarden and us to learn about the next garden day. Or, email our @sjli_healthequity Programs Director Nicole Steele at nsteele@sjli.org to sign up as a volunteer! Join us as we clean up garden beds, plant seeds, and water the soil. You can even harvest some food and get tips on how to grow from wherever you are! . . . #garden #growyourown #urbangardening #queenpark #sjli #healthequity #gardening #volunteering #joinus #signup #learn #grow #change #harvesttime #community #communitysupport #bethechange #lovewhatyoudo #helpinghands #inglewood

As we honor the strength and resilience of those who fought for freedom, this generation must also recognize our responsibility to end systemic anti-Black racism and create a world truly centered in Black belonging. The fight for equity and justice is far from over, and #Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the work that still lies ahead. In Los Angeles, our Black Experience Action Team (BEAT) has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges. In 2021, we provided a roadmap to improve the material conditions and outcomes of Black Angelenos. The report "The Path to Justice Runs Through Equity: Ending Anti-Black Racism in Los Angeles" highlights the importance of community engagement, intersectional approaches, and policy recommendations to dismantle systemic barriers and develop new efforts that establish communal growth and shared abundance. This year, the BEAT is proud to present Bold Black LA. Through this campaign, BEAT is updating its collective agenda — centering policies, efforts, and actions that seek to ensure Black Angelenos flourish — focusing on three critical areas: ▪️Economic and Poverty Relief: Implementing reparations and other 21st-century economic initiatives to economically support Black Angelenos. ▪️Homelessness and Housing Affordability: Uplifting local and regional solutions that create physical belonging for Black Angelenos, solving the homelessness and housing challenges in Black communities. ▪️Physical and Mental Health: Prioritizing the health and well-being of Black Angelenos through comprehensive support systems, eliminating medical harm, and ensuring Black Angelenos can live whole, free, healthy, and thriving lives. We celebrate today and commit to advancing the recommendations laid out by BEAT. By working together, we can ensure that #Juneteenth 's promise of freedom, justice, and equality becomes a reality for all.

🍅🥒 Did you know that aside from our weekly food distributions, where we hand out close to 16,000 pounds of produce, we also host educational workshops? Recently, we held a community workshop to discuss the health benefits of pickling, such as gut health, electrolyte replenishment, and antioxidants. Each participant left with their own homemade jar of pickled vegetables. Community workshops are crucial for teaching people about their health and wellness. By using food as a vehicle for conversations and community building, we empower individuals to take control of their health and foster a supportive community. We invite you to volunteer and use your agency for change. Contact Health Equity Programs Director Nicole Steele today at nsteele@sjli.org to get started. Looking to grab some produce for you and your family? Drop by SJLI headquarters on Fridays at 1 o’clock. We give away free bags of produce on a first-come, first-served basis. See you soon! 🥦🍎🫑 #CommunityHealth #FoodEducation #Volunteer #HealthEquity #SJLI #community #communitysupport #communityfirst #handup #freefood #learn #grow #change #eachoneteachone #workshops #inglewood #homemade #pickling #healtheducation #healthawareness