Resources and Reflections for Justice Leaders

I came to Baltimore for my first job, as the first full-time employee at Dent Education, a youth-centered social enterprise empowering Baltimore youth to be social innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs. There are many ICJS Justice Leaders Fellowship (JLF) concepts that have evolved my understanding of economic justice through a religious lens and informed how I show up in my role at Dent.

Investments must not harm the environment and people must not profit off unlawful or immoral practices. Nor should people profit from others’ debts. In this economic ecosystem, wealth serves people, rather than the other way around. Here in Baltimore, where economic injustice goes hand in hand with racism, this economic vision is particularly valuable.

One thing was certain: The unwavering commitment to a more just society by these leaders in capacity-building, lending, entrepreneurship, immigration, education, housing, and policy. The deep analysis and explanations of traditions reminded me of the best parts of faith–our common humanity, regardless of how we identify. I was drawn to the powerful symbolism...

One thing was certain: The unwavering commitment to a more just society by these leaders in capacity-building, lending, entrepreneurship, immigration, education, housing, and policy. The deep analysis and explanations of traditions reminded me of the best parts of faith–our common humanity, regardless of how we identify. I was drawn to the powerful symbolism...

One thing was certain: The unwavering commitment to a more just society by these leaders in capacity-building, lending, entrepreneurship, immigration, education, housing, and policy. The deep analysis and explanations of traditions reminded me of the best parts of faith–our common humanity, regardless of how we identify. I was drawn to the powerful symbolism...

One thing was certain: The unwavering commitment to a more just society by these leaders in capacity-building, lending, entrepreneurship, immigration, education, housing, and policy. The deep analysis and explanations of traditions reminded me of the best parts of faith–our common humanity, regardless of how we identify. I was drawn to the powerful symbolism...

I am very privileged that I have always had enough–in fact, much, much more than enough. I come from an upper-middle-class family and although I often feel that I am just getting by on my personal income, I have a strong safety net in my parents, should the need arise. And although I am frustrated with the Christian congregation in which I grew up for not seriously challenging why we have such economic disparity in our country, I am grateful that they at least exposed me to the existence of disparity.

If the directive is to “Love yourself and your community and take care of strangers, both visiting and residing,” it seems that restorative justice would be the order of the day to ensure that all people could actively contribute to the spiritual well-being of the nation. Once they are made whole, there will be no reason for America to hold prejudice, I promise.