Organizational Histories

Stories behind the formation and evolution of social justice projects, organizations, and initiatives. Have you started a business, organization, project, or initiative? Tell us about that work and the catalysts that sparked it.

Organizational Histories

Build What You Dream: The Rockstar Woman Movement with Shannon Cohen

Organizational Histories

A Lighthouse and A Refuge: The Firehouse Community Arts Center with Phil Jackson

2025

2
Organizational Histories

Using Power to Bring More Power to People: Education for Freedom and Justice with Mia Henry

Mia Henry connects common threads between her training as an educator, the 29 Civil Rights tours she organized and led over the past 10 years, and her current work developing educational curriculum on resistance and social justice as the founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, which offers justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and facilitation. 

The social justice origin story of Freedom Lifted emphasizes the importance of understanding power as an abundant resource, the critical work of using our power to bring more power to oppressed people, and drawing wisdom from stories of resistance throughout history when people have strived to create a world where power is shared for guidance on how we can better share power within our organizations and movements for justice.

January 20, 2025

2024

Organizational Histories

Facilitating Change: Education Justice and Unharmonius Organizing with kyle lim

In this episode of Social Justice Origin Stories, Relando talks with kyle lim, a passionate racial justice advocate and community organizer. Originally from Singapore, kyle shares some of his experiences navigating complex racial identities and confronting systemic inequities in the U.S., particularly in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his storytelling about the education justice work at the Urban Core Collective, kyle speaks to the necessity of building community power, addressing systemic flaws, and prioritizing material redistribution for genuine social transformation. His storytelling also honors the critical role of youth in driving meaningful change.

October 1, 2024
Organizational Histories / Project Updates / Reflections

Social Justice Origin Stories: Connecting People Across Experiences, Sharing Stories That Inspire Action.

Social Justice Origin Stories is a storytelling project that highlights personal stories and defining moments that have inspired individuals to labor for equity and social justice. Through Truth-Telling: The honest sharing of their experiences, storytellers teach us about themselves, enableing us to learn about ourselves and our world..

September 29, 2024