Newark-Based Social Justice Institute Marks 20-Year Anniversary

NEWARK, NJ — The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) recently celebrated a milestone: 20 years of serving residents of the Garden State.

On Feb. 28, the Newark-based NJISJ kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration with a panel discussion on the defining social justice issues in New Jersey, featuring its former and current leaders.

In a conversation moderated by NJISJ board member Elise Boddie, president and CEOs Ken Zimmerman (1999-2006), Cornell William Brooks (2007-2014) and Ryan P. Haygood (2015-Present) recollected the institute’s “front-line advocacy” over the past 20 years, which have resulted in important gains for local urban residents.

“It is an honor to advance social and racial justice in the way that Amy and Alan Lowenstein envisioned when they founded this mighty organization 20 years ago,” said Ryan Haygood, president and CEO of the NJISJ.

“Twenty years after our founding, we continue to advocate fiercely, from the ground up, for unapologetically progressive policies and systems that build wealth in urban communities, transform youth justice, and restore voting rights to people with criminal convictions,” Haygood said.

“It was wonderful to speak with and pay tribute to our former presidents who helped make the Institute what it is today,” Haygood stated. “While there’s so much work still to be done, there’s also much achieved that deserves to be celebrated.”

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