Journey Towards Justice
Explore Student Justice Projects
Student Voices. Lasting Impact.
The Journey Toward Justice (JTJ) course is an immersive educational experience that challenges students to engage deeply with the history, legacy, and ongoing pursuit of civil rights and social justice. Through travel, dialogue, research, reflection, and community engagement, students gain firsthand insights into the struggles, resilience, and leadership that have shaped movements for change throughout history.
Students in grades 9–12 explore complex issues through multiple perspectives while developing critical thinking, analytical reasoning, collaboration, research, media literacy, and civic engagement skills. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to examine their own role as active citizens and consider how they can contribute to a more just and equitable society.
The Justice Projects featured here showcase the voices, experiences, and learning of JTJ students. Through original writing, artwork, photography, interviews, videos, and research-based projects, students share their reflections, questions, and discoveries.
The JTJ Zine
The JTJ Zine serves as the culminating project for each Journey Toward Justice cohort. Created collaboratively by students and curated by the Institute for Black Life (IBL), the publication captures the collective experience of the course and journey.
Each edition features entirely student-created content, including:
- Personal reflections and blog-style writing
- Poetry and creative expression
- Original digital and traditional artwork
- Photography
- Research and analysis
- Stories inspired by the journey and course discussions
Together, these contributions create a powerful snapshot of each cohort's learning experience. The zine not only documents students' growth and understanding but also serves as a lasting record of the questions, conversations, and insights that emerged throughout their Journey Toward Justice experience.
Digital editions are available below, and select print copies are available for viewing through IBL.
Student Video Projects
Throughout the course, students have opportunities to engage in multimedia storytelling and advocacy projects that connect classroom learning to contemporary issues and community conversations.
These student-created videos explore topics that matter deeply to the creators, allowing them to investigate justice-related issues through research, interviews, storytelling, and visual media.
Video projects provide students with opportunities to:
- Explore issues from multiple perspectives
- Conduct research and interviews
- Develop media literacy skills
- Collaborate with peers
- Communicate ideas to authentic audiences
- Inspire awareness, dialogue, and action
The videos featured below represent a range of student interests, experiences, and approaches to understanding justice in today's world.
Justice Project Archive
Explore the work of JTJ students through annual collections of zines and video projects. Each year's archive reflects the unique experiences, perspectives, and voices of that cohort while demonstrating the enduring themes of justice, civic engagement, and social responsibility that define the Journey Toward Justice program.