Essie Justice Group

When women with incarcerated loved ones have the resources to care for our wellbeing, we are better able to lead. We’re raising funds to support our members having access to free therapy and our member-led Immediate Needs Grant Program for Essie Sisters facing an urgent crisis. Will you send some care today? https://lnkd.in/gGhkEDXF

Did you know when someone comes home from jail or prison that it is almost always a woman leading their reentry? Women like Kofiae work hard to resource their loved one(s) when they come home. Her experience with reentry support also makes her a strong leader and advocate for community change. Support the wellbeing of leaders like Kofiae today: https://lnkd.in/gGhkEDXF #SisterhoodIsPowerful #Reentry

Matching gift alert! Thanks to a generous donation, we’re kicking off our year-end fundraiser with a special $10k matching gift challenge.  Right now, we’re raising funds to support our Immediate Needs Grant Program for Essie Sisters (members) facing an urgent crisis and free therapy access for our community. And we need you! Whether it's $10, $25 or $85 to cover a therapy session, double your impact today to sustain the leadership of women with incarcerated loved ones. Double your impact: https://lnkd.in/gGhkEDXF #GivingTuesday #Leadership

Our Sisterhood of women with incarcerated loved ones stands ready to lead us forward with love, compassion, and possibility. Help grow our base: https://lnkd.in/gncsT7eM Support our work: https://lnkd.in/gWNtYrKx

August & September 2024 I am so grateful for community based organizations such as Essie Justice Group. I've said this from the jump, and I'll say it again: Essie teaches me how to move.  I am honored to be a 2024 Campaign School graduate. #campaigns #sojournertruth #peace #blackfeminism #collectiveliberation #intersectionality #intention #joy

As is true for many many beneficiaries of his generosity and championing, we would not have reached our potential without Quincy Jones. It was Quincy who invited Essie Justice Group into Los Angeles county, inviting us to launch Essie in LA, with an event in his home. In his living room in 2016, we raised the support and funds so that we could begin offering our Healing to Advocacy Program for women with incarcerated loved ones to thousands more people. What Quincy touched really did turn to gold, because since that beautiful night we have graduated 18 cohorts in LA from our program, opened an LA office, and won victories for women impacted by mass incarceration in courts, homes, and policy.  Reading through the lengthy accomplishments across national papers today has provided us at Essie an inspiring (even if too short) moment away from the anxiety of this election and the organizing work filling our days. Reflecting on and drawing lessons from his life is something that will take time. Today, it is a reminder to bet on overlooked people, gather despite differences, and love first, last, and in between all things.  Thank you, Quincy. Rest in peace to our beloved cheerleader and benefactor.

“Regardless of the outcomes this election season, unlikely canvassers like women with incarcerated loved ones are committed to shifting society’s tide towards care, and will stay the course in becoming a formidable force to be reckoned with.” Organizers from Essie Justice Group share in Convergence Magazine why women with incarcerated loved ones are powerfully leading grassroots canvassing efforts ahead of the 2024 election. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gfcxbhvg #Election #PeoplePower

Always remember where you started and the people who supported you on your journey. We’re grateful to have had Echoing Green as our partner since our beginning 10 years ago! 🧡 Essie Founder & Executive Director Gina Clayton-Johnson (2014 Fellow) helped kick off Echoing Green’s All Fellows Convening 2024 in Accra, Ghana. Presenting to 200 fellows alongside Kwami Williams (MoringaConnect), Amaha Kassa (African Communities Together), Hemakshi Meghani (Indian School of Democracy), and panel moderator Cheryl Dorsey (Echoing Green), Gina shared her perspective on the challenges, issues, and sources of hope our communities are currently facing. #EchoingGreen #Changemakers #EGFellows

In partnership with Octavia's Bookshelf, last night we co-hosted Alexis Pauline Gumbs, in conversation with Lisa Powell, to discuss Alexis’ latest book, Survival is a Promise:The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde. In resonant, wise, and reflective conversation, throughout the evening Alexis shared the ways in which she was transformed by the rigor that Audre Lorde required of her in writing her book and how she experienced herself as a channel for Audre Lorde's work sharing, "I just had to open my heart and get out of the way." Not only did this event bring us together in reflection of Audre Lorde's work, it reminded us of the ways that we are still grounded and guided by the strategy of Black feminist ancestors. Thank you to Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Octavia's Bookshelf, and all who came out to the event for an intimate conversation on Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde ✨

We're collaborating with Octavia's Bookshelf to host author Alexis Pauline Gumbs, in conversation with Lisa Powell, at our office in South Pasadena! We are delighted to have these two powerhouses in space to discuss Alexis’ latest book, Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde. In Survival Is a Promise, Alexis Pauline Gumbs—the first researcher to explore the full depths of Lorde’s manuscript archives—illuminates the eternal life of Lorde. Her life and work become more than a sound bite; they become a cosmic force, teaching us the grand contingency of life together on earth. Register here to join us on October 15: https://bit.ly/4dkoQDl