Feel Good Friday - Equal Justice Initiative

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to honor Dr. King's legacy of fighting for racial and economic justice through service and action. That makes this a perfect Friday to spotlight the Equal Justice Initiative.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, the mission of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is "ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society."

EJI operates as a nonprofit law firm providing legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. Under founder and Executive Director Bryan Stevenson's leadership, EJI has secured relief, release, or reduced sentences for over 140 people on death row. Their work has resulted in landmark U.S. Supreme Court rulings, including a 2012 decision that banned mandatory life-imprisonment-without-parole sentences for all children 17 or younger, a ruling that impacted thousands of cases nationwide.

Beyond the courtroom, EJI challenges the narrative about race in America through groundbreaking research and public education. In April 2018, they opened the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery—powerful spaces that trace the arc from slavery through lynching and segregation to mass incarceration. These Legacy Sites have attracted over 650,000 visitors from around the world. EJI also produces an award-winning wall calendar, A History of Racial Injustice, that features a different historical event each day.

Their anti-poverty work includes a Hunger Relief program that has served thousands of families struggling with food insecurity and a health clinic that provides free care to vulnerable people.

If you'd like to support the Equal Justice Initiative, there are many ways to do so. You can visit the Legacy Sites the next time you’re in Montgomery, Alabama, make a donation, and amplify their message on social media. Follow EJI on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube and share their stories of justice and redemption with your network.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! 

Feel Good Friday - United We Dream

Today is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a day when India celebrates the contributions of its diaspora and honors the day Mahatma Gandhi returned home from South Africa in 1915 to lead the fight for justice. That makes this a perfect Friday to spotlight United We Dream.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., United We Dream (UWD) is the largest immigrant youth-led network fighting for dignity and respect for all immigrants in the United States whether they’re coming from India or any other country. The mission of UWD is to "create welcoming spaces for young people – regardless of immigration status – to support, engage, and empower them to make their voice heard and win!”

The organization grew from a loose network of young undocumented students into a powerful movement. UWD puts immigrant youth at the center of decision-making, with over 60% of members identifying as women and 20% as LGBTQ. Their vision celebrates diversity through multi-ethnic, intersectional organizing that addresses immigration alongside racial justice, LGBTQ rights, education, health, and climate change.

The network operates through several key programs. Their DACA Renewal Fund provides direct financial assistance to help DACA recipients pay the $495 renewal fee. Since they began, UWD has helped more than 1,700 immigrant youth access DACA renewals through partnerships in 16 states! Other programs include Deportation Defense with Know Your Rights trainings, Education Justice to clear pathways to higher education, the UndocuHealth Initiative for mental health support, and the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project for LGBTQ immigrant youth leadership. 

UWD has had a big impact across the country. The organization has grown to over 1 million members nationwide, with more than 100 local groups operating across 28 states. They reach over 4 million people every month through their social media platforms, email, and text messaging.

If you'd like to support United We Dream, there are many ways to do so. You can make a general donation or contribute to their DACA Renewal Fund where 100% goes directly to recipients. You can also join their network as a member and share their work on social media. Follow United We Dream on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube and share their stories of empowerment and justice with your network.

Feel Good Friday - Winning Futures

Happy New Year! January  is National Mentoring Month, making it the perfect time to spotlight Winning Futures and their transformative approach to helping students plan their futures.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the mission of Winning Futures is "to be an exemplary business-education partnership that inspires and prepares young people to be self-reliant and successful through workforce preparation, life skills, strategic planning, mentoring, and scholarship programs.” 

Winning Futures runs a unique seven-year Workforce Prep Mentoring Program that starts when students are in 10th grade and continues through four years of college, trade school, or other continuing education. Each student is paired with a volunteer career mentor from the business community who attends monthly sessions at participating schools across Metro Detroit—including Detroit, Harper Woods, Warren, Sterling Heights, Hazel Park, and Pontiac. This video explains more about what mentors do and the impact they have.

The program covers everything from career exploration and goal setting to financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and strategic planning. Students learn to create five-year academic and career plans, develop resumes, practice interviewing, and build the life skills they need to thrive. That means tackling topics like time management, overcoming obstacles, networking, and coping with stress—all the real-world skills that don't always get taught in traditional classrooms.

Winning Futures has had a big impact in the community. Since they began, they’ve worked with more than 50,500 students and awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships! In the 2024-25 school year alone, 98% of their seniors graduated from high school, and 92% of Year 3 students reported being more prepared to persevere through challenges. A University of Michigan study found that the program has a statistically significant and equitable impact across all races, income levels, and genders.

Winning Futures is the first and only mentoring program in Michigan to earn the National Quality Member designation from MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership—a testament to their commitment to excellence.

If you'd like to support Winning Futures, there are many ways to do so. You can volunteer as a career mentor or help with scholarship judging, make a donation and amplify their message on social media. Follow Winning Futures on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to their YouTube channel, and share their stories of student success with your network.