The Circle for Justice Innovations Fund wishes to convey our sorrow at the profound loss of Harry Belafonte, an actor, singer, artist, philanthropist and formidable movement leader. Mr. Belafonte played a decisive role in the betterment of humanity all over the world, but he was particularly instrumental at critical junctures in U.S. history when courage…
The time is upon us. Our country is falling deeper into fascism, and our movement against the carceral state is a critical line of defense. The only thing oppression needs to win is for good people to do nothing. We cannot be neutral. While much needs to be done in the larger political arena, small…
Jan 16th, 2023 Today as we pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we must acknowledge him as a true anti-establishment radical and reject the whitewashing of his legacy. Dr. King’s words are often misconstrued and sanitized, which undermine liberation movements—”the Santa-Clausification” of Dr. King, as Dr. Cornel West aptly described in his book…
New Orleans will host CJI’s first-ever All-Circle Political Education Conference in July 2022! This special, three-day convening presents the very first occasion for CJI Circle members, volunteers, donors, staff, activists, peers, and innovators across CJI’s robust professional network to develop a shared vision for the future of our movement. Leveraging relationships with grantee partners…
CJI is seeking proposals for our Strategic Opportunities Support (SOS) Rapid Response Circle, a source of micro-grants (up to $5,000) to eligible organizations addressing immediate, emergency needs and critically urgent strategic organizing opportunities in their communities. This year, the Fund is focused on supporting: Responses to disasters that impact an organization’s ability to carry…
The United States is suffering from a drug overdose epidemic. In November 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released provisional data from its National Center for Health Statistics showing that more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. over a 12-month period ending in April 2021. Precipitated in part by…
CJI is seeking new members for our FreeHer and Starving the Beast Circle funds. In recent years, CJI has enjoyed a period of sustained growth in grantmaking, staffing, and support from our community. As the unique needs of our movement grow, so does our need for more Circle members! Each funding Circle housed at…
One year ago, Executive Director Aleah Bacquie Vaughn stood in the rotunda of New York City Hall to bear witness as the city’s Landmarks and Preservation Commission formally conferred historic landmark status on 227 Abolitionist Place (formerly 227 Duffield Street), a site on the Underground Railroad. CJI’s offices are located just a few steps away.…
On Wednesday, December 8th, CJI and our partners at A Little Piece of Light—a CJI grantee, the Brooklyn Nets, and Salon 718 hosted a holiday toy drive in Brooklyn’s historic Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. More than 100 attendees cheerfully gathered to make our community’s holiday season a little warmer. The event featured raffles, free haircuts, makeovers,…
By all accounts, and despite a second year of pandemic-related restrictions on work and travel, 2021 has been a banner year for CJI, our Circle Members, and grantees. CJI met its goal of making $1 million in Leadership Circle grants, and was able to disburse 25 Strategic Opportunities Support (SOS) Rapid Response Circle grants in…