Youth Stories from the Movement for Educational Justice
In these essays, youth leaders tell their stories of organizing for change in their schools and communities. They highlight their commitments to racial, social and educational justice, their experiences building community with other young people and fighting for change, and the meaning that participation in organizing has had for them. The young people are all students involved with local youth organizing groups and members of the Youth Justice Corps, a national network of youth leaders across the country sponsored by the Alliance for Educational Justice.
These essays were produced in May 2025 as part of a project with the Alliance for Educational Justice (AEJ) and the Community Based and Participatory Research Course taught by Professor Mark R. Warren at the McCormack Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Advocating for Better Access to Mental Health Resources in Schools and the Community
How I Serve: Lessons From a Youth Organizer and Advocate
“If one person stands up, everybody stands up”: Connecting Communities for Collective Action
“Organizing is About Bringing People Together to Fight for What is Right”: A Journey to Organizing
“Chill: A Community that Cares”
Do You Care About Your Community?
“I aspire to set people free from their judgments”: Education is Liberation
Learning About Our Story: Organizing for Educational Justice in Chicano Communities
Using My Voice Today to Create a Better Tomorrow
by (TBD)
Text | PDF
The mission of the Youth Justice Corps (YJC) of the Alliance for Educational Justice (AEJ) is to support young people to develop as organizers and leaders of their peers in their local schools, communities and youth organizing groups.
The program provides political education and organizing skills training and connects these emerging youth leaders across the country. The young people are typically youth of color from low-income communities attending secondary schools. Doctoral students collected the stories of young people leading education justice organizing efforts in their local communities.
For more information, please contact ptt@schottfoundation.org. If you use any of these essays in your work, we would be happy to hear about it!