New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice The Institute empowers Black and other people of color by building reparative systems that build wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power.
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The Institute’s advocacy is a model for states as places to build community power from the ground up.

Big news at the Institute! Read our statement to learn about our executive transition.
06/16/2026

Big news at the Institute! Read our statement to learn about our executive transition.

BIG NEWS! This Thursday, 6/18 we’ll be hosting a Virtual Press Conference to introduce the Truth, Reconciliation & Repai...
06/15/2026

BIG NEWS! This Thursday, 6/18 we’ll be hosting a Virtual Press Conference to introduce the Truth, Reconciliation & Repair Act.

This legislation will:
✅ ensure New Jersey apologizes for slavery and accepts responsibility
✅ teach the Truth about slavery and Black history in our public schools

New Jersey must teach, confront and take responsibility for our past so we can finally repair the lasting harm slavery and generations of systemic racism that followed. The Truth, Reconciliation and Repair Act is a big step toward getting us there!

📆Join the virtual press conference at 5 p.m. EST & be part of the journey towards reparations in New Jersey.

🔗Register: bit.ly/TRRACT

06/11/2026

Did you know that 56% of people in New Jersey don’t know slavery happened right here?

That isn’t an accident. It’s not always told to us.

Ryan Haygood, President & CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, sheds light on this often-hidden history by sharing the powerful story of Cudjo Banquante.

Enslaved right here in NJ, Banquante went on to serve in the Revolutionary War - and to later become Newark’s very first Black businessman.

Join us this Juneteenth at our Truth & Repair NJ: A Juneteenth Reparations Convening as we break down how the legacy of slavery directly connects to today’s staggering $640,000 racial wealth gap—and how we can fix it.

Don’t miss out on this inspiring day of deep-dive panel discussions and interactive workshops focused on building a fairer future through reparative policies!

🗓️Friday, 6/19
⏰8:30am – 4pm
📍St. John’s Community Baptist Church
1066 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07112
Free shuttle service available from Newark Penn Station.

🔗Register: https://njisj.org/juneteenth/

🗳️Livingston High School students want to exercise their democratic right to vote in their local & school board election...
06/09/2026

🗳️Livingston High School students want to exercise their democratic right to vote in their local & school board elections!

Last night, they made their voices heard at the Livingston Council meeting, testifying in support of lowering the voting age to 16 for the first time.

This just shows that young people are engaged, informed, and READY to participate in the decisions that shape their schools & community!

06/09/2026

What are your plans for Juneteenth?

📆Mark your calendars for next Friday, 6/19 at 8:30am as we’ll be hosting our “Truth & Repair: Juneteenth Reparations Convening”. Aside from powerful panel discussions, this free all-day community engagement will include interactive workshops such as:

✅ Creating Reparative Art: Zine making
✅Environmental Justice & Reparations
✅Economic Justice & Reparations
✅Public Safety & Reparations
✅Democracy & Reparations

🗓️Friday, 6/19
⏰8:30am – 4pm
📍St. John’s Community Baptist Church
1066 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07112

🔗Register: https://njisj.org/juneteenth/

Excited to see you there!

06/05/2026

What does reparations mean to you?🎤

Last month, we held a Reparations Community Dialogue in Whitesboro and this is what Lynda Anderson-Towns, Cape May County resident, had to say about reparations.

📝Learn more about reparations during our “Truth & Repair: Juneteenth Reparations Convening” on 6/19, where we’ll have powerful panel discussions and interactive workshops as we continue the journey towards reparations in NJ.

🗓️Friday, 6/19
⏰8:30am – 4pm
📍St. John’s Community Baptist Church
1066 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07112

🔗Register: https://njisj.org/juneteenth/

We’re excited to see you there!

06/04/2026

📣Sixteen-year-olds want a voice in their town & school board elections!

Livingston High School students are preparing to testify in support of lowering the voting age to 16 for local & school board elections in front of the Livingston Council at their meeting on Monday, 6/8.

Whether you’re a Livingston resident or just passionate about youth advocacy and democracy, come show your support!

🗓️When: Monday, 6/8
⏰Time: 7:30 PM
📍Livingston Town Hall
357 S. Livingston Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039

Lear more about Vote 16: https://njisj.org/vote16/

Special shout out to Nadia Rush, Administrative Director, and Naa’san Carr, Community Organizer, for serving as poll wor...
06/03/2026

Special shout out to Nadia Rush, Administrative Director, and Naa’san Carr, Community Organizer, for serving as poll workers for yesterday’s Primary Elections.🗳️

Their dedication and long hours on the ground help ensure that every voice is accounted for and our democracy is protected! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.🧡

‼️ Attention New Jersey ‼️  Get ready for Primary Election Day tomorrow, 6/2.   Now, more than ever, we need our collect...
06/01/2026

‼️ Attention New Jersey ‼️ 
 
Get ready for Primary Election Day tomorrow, 6/2.  
 
Now, more than ever, we need our collective voices to be heard at the polls!  Our vote is our power.

Address

60 Park Place
Newark, NJ
07102

Telephone

+19736249400

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