Since 2008, the Social Justice Learning Institute’s Urban Scholars program has been empowering youth of color to use education as a tool for self-transformation and positive community change.
Our familyhood is a whole-self approach that powers students to unleash their truest selves, achieve academic success, and discover their voice in this world so that they can become agents of change.
Our trained and passionate Educational Equity team taps into the body, mind, and soul of our students by focusing on four key areas we believe open them up to learn, grow and change:
The result?
One hundred percent of our scholars either enroll in college, enlist in the military, or become gainfully employed.
With this year’s Class of 2022 Urban Scholars graduating in less than one month, we are asking you to contribute to their bright futures by donating to the Urban Scholars Scholarship Fund.
Your support will help the graduating class cover costs associated with tuition, books, housing, and transportation.
Urban Scholar Kevyn Santos has his sights set on attending USC or UCLA for Computer Engineering.
Our Educational Equity team members assisted him in completing formal college applications as well as financial aid packages.
Upon college enrollment, he will have continued access and support from our College Persistence and Workforce Development team, which helps alumni persist through college and carve out their career paths.
Together, with the knowledge, resources and community-building skills Kevyn’s gained from being in the Urban Scholars program, he is equipped to become the change he wishes to see.
One social issue he sees in his community is the gentrification of Inglewood and its impact on local residents. Urban Scholars, he said, “has given me much more insight on issues that are going on in my community.”
This type of critical consciousness inspires Kevyn to find ways to help those around him.
Now that he’s gotten out of his shell and “gained confidence as a person”, he’s ready for the next chapter of his life.
Urban Scholar Marvin Chong is an actor and R&B singer with plans to attend Los Angeles Valley College for music this Fall.
As an artist, he naturally connects with his community on a profound level.
Two issues that Marvin is most passionate about are homelessness and the racial oppression of Black men. He explains “I see a lot of, and that’s very upsetting.”
While Marvin was always aware of these injustices, he credits the Urban Scholars program with illuminating their root causes and helping him discover his voice on the matters.
He says he’s more socially conscious and solution-oriented. In fact, one way he hopes to resolve the homelessness crisis in his community is by gathering petitions and submitting them to his local government.
In the interim, he continues to hone in on his craft and create music that bridges communities.
Urban Scholar Jordan Fossett is a graduating senior from Eastside High School who will attend Grambling State University this Fall.
After participating in the Urban Scholars program for four years, the skilled gamer, who has competed on prestigious level esports teams, says his life has changed.
Not only has SJLI helped him graduate and get into one of the colleges on his list, but it’s also changed his mindset on social justice issues.
“I look at the bigger picture now and actually realize the source of the problems in my community and how to address them.”
When asked what injustices he wants to tackle, Jordan said racial inequality, gun violence and child welfare—issues he feels more comfortable addressing as a result of our Urban Scholars program.
“Being involved with SJLI helped me get over my social anxiety and develop more confidence. We talk about life and so many other topics that affect us and our communities. We do research and think [critically] about how to solve those problems. I’m blessed to be in the program.”
Please join us on June 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the Class of 2022 Urban Scholars Virtual Watch Party.
Tune in as we celebrate our proud scholars with a culmination ceremony at The Beehive in Los Angeles.
For 14 years, we’ve come together as a family to provide access and opportunity to our students, so they can shape a limitless future.
We have a chance to do it again by raising $30,000 to help this year’s graduating seniors cover some of the costs of tuition, books, housing and transportation.
If you’ve already donated to the 2022 Urban Scholars Scholarship Fund, here are four other ways you can boost your support:
We are so proud to share how we have significantly increased our community impact.
Our Urban Scholars program has now grown to serve over 2,000 scholars since 2008.
Whether you’ve been with our community for some time or are just gaining knowledge of our mission, get ready to learn, grow, and change.
Here is a look at our flagship program—from our beginnings and how Urban Scholars works, to our impact numbers and what students are saying.
At the Social Justice Learning Institute, we are dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth of color by empowering them to take hold of their educational future using research as a tool for community and social change.
We train students to conduct research on problems in their community using a rigorous yearlong curriculum while also focusing on increasing academic achievement, graduating high school, and transitioning to a college and career pathway.
By the time SJLI’s youth complete this credit-bearing program, participants not only gain tools for academic success but also grow into leaders by engaging in community-based action research training and skills building.
The Urban Scholars program started as the Black Male Youth Academy in 2008 at Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA with 15 students and a vision to transform the lives of young men of color by empowering them through education.
Urban Scholars now serves 450 students annually at 27 school sites in seven school districts in two states (California and Texas).
Using education as a tool, we empower youth of color by providing culturally relevant curriculum and academic support through a social justice lens so they can discover their best talents and apply them to help improve the world they live within.
By tapping into 4 key areas, our scholars learn to build knowledge of self for personal transformation, develop social awareness of the world around them, and achieve academic success.
Urban Scholars is changing the life trajectories of young men of color from the communities of Inglewood, Lennox, Compton, San Gabriel Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, Long Beach, Santa Monica, South Los Angeles and Houston, TX.
Here is a look at our impact in numbers.
In our second decade of changing the lives of youth of color, we bring you testimonials from our last cohort of Urban Scholars—the graduating class of 2021, whom we celebrated with a culmination ceremony at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
At the Social Justice Learning Institute, familyhood is at the heart of our Urban Scholars program.
We use the same elements of family we see in our communities to empower youth to graduate high school, persist through college and build life paths that create equitable systems for people of color.
Our dedicated Educational Equity team is made up of mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers who are all committed to improving the lives of youth through education.
In the spirit of familyhood, you’ll read student testimonials about the transformative nature of our Urban Scholars program, and how it has helped them discover their undeniable value and place in this vast world we live in.
“Familyhood, We Stand Together!”
This is what we chant in unity at the beginning and end of every encounter we have with our Urban Scholars. It’s not for the sake of saying it, but it’s because we truly believe family has the power to raise up young people and thrust them into their purpose.
The notion of having a village of people standing behind our students creates safety nets so they can freely learn, grow and change.
The element of how we create familyhood is simple; it starts with caring individuals who, over time, forge life-altering bonds.
Our Educational Equity team provides students and school site educators a culturally-relevant curriculum and academic support through a social justice lens.
With training and by harnessing our passions, we collectively provide heritage-based education, team-building, and leadership development needed in the classroom and at retreats to strengthen students’ sense of identity and critical consciousness.
Together, we train students in community-based action research, policy and advocacy, and organizing so that they can address issues in their communities and affect long-term systems change.
Not only do we provide individualized academic and career pathway development, we also work to help them address and overcome trauma through restorative practices, outdoor retreats, and individualized therapy sessions with mental health professionals.
The communal experience allows our youth to thrive and become agents of change within their own communities to reach back to lift up others like them.
Watch this quick video that captures the familyhood experience.
In just over a month, our Urban Scholars seniors will graduate high school and prepare for college.
Together, as a family, we can reach our goal of raising $30,000 to help them cover the costs of tuition, books, housing and transportation.
Support the efforts of our 2022 Urban Scholars graduating class now by participating in our scholarship campaign in these five ways:
Since 2008, the Social Justice Learning Institute’s Urban Scholars program has been empowering youth of color to create bold solutions for helping the world they live within.
By tapping into four key areas—academic and career development, identity development, social justice youth leadership, social-emotional support—our scholars learn to build knowledge of self for personal transformation, develop social awareness of the world around them, and achieve academic success.
In fact, 87 percent of our Urban Scholars are admitted to college, and 100 percent either enroll in college, enlist in the military, or become gainfully employed.
To celebrate their hard work and momentous achievements, SJLI hosts an annual culmination event.
We invite you to join us in lifting up the Class of 2022 as they embark on a new journey. This hybrid event will be live-streamed on June 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Beehive in Los Angeles.
Last June, the graduating Class of 2021 was honored during a spectacular hybrid ceremony at the historical Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Scholars arrived with their closest loved ones and were gifted a box with their Urban Scholars class stole and a medal, which they wore on a red carpet to receive their graduation announcement, program certification, and family photo op.
More surprises lingered off the carpet—a pair of Jordan Concords, a class t-shirt with all of their names, catered lunch by Something Good 2 Eat, music, a victory line, and long-awaited brotherhood after coming off of pandemic lockdown.
There were even virtual appearances from Singer/Actress Vanessa Williams and Rapper/Songwriter D-Smoke.
Drop into a recap of the Class of 2021 Urban Scholars Culmination now by clicking the video below.
With just a few months left before our Urban Scholars seniors graduate high school and prepare for college, we are launching our annual scholarship campaign to raise $30,000 to help them cover the costs of tuition, books, housing, and transportation.
Celebrate and support the efforts of our 2022 Urban Scholars graduating class by participating in our scholarship campaign in these five ways:
The holiday season is fast approaching and so is the largest global giving day of the year—Giving Tuesday!
So get ready to unite your dollars for change on November 30, 2021.
In partnership with the All Ways Up Foundation, every SJLI dollar you donate will be matched up to $25,000 as part of our participation in their 10th Annual Bridging the Gap Awards.
With your contribution, SJLI can double its impact in support of our Urban Scholars and youth programs.
We are humbled by members of our community who have asked how they can become early supporters of our #GivingTuesday Matching Campaign. Here are some ways you can help:
Under his leadership as the Health Equity Programs Director, he stewarded a team that taught over 10,000 families in nutrition, physical activity and urban agriculture, built 126 gardens in the community, began the Inglewood Certified Farmers’ Market and Inglewood Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA), and during COVID provided over 1,000,000 lbs of produce to community members.
He and his team also significantly influenced the passing of two major state bills impacting food insecurity in California: Assembly bills AB551 – Agriculture Incentive Zones, AB2561 – Neighborhood Food Act.
“I am thankful for the Board’s confidence in me,” Derek said. “I’m especially grateful for Dr. Scorza’s guidance, mentorship and friendship. SJLI is strong today because of his tireless leadership over the last 14 years. I see this as a continuation of my life’s work and I’m excited for the opportunity to steward such an amazing team that is keenly focused on forging a more equitable future.”COMMUNITY BUILDING | INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL | RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
The Youth Justice Fellowship (YJF) at the Social Justice Learning Institute is an intensive leadership development program that engages an annual cohort of 10 youth leaders in community-based organizing and action research over the course of 12 months. This year’s research topic will focus on State-Sanctioned Violence and Alternatives to Community Safety.
Participants will receive rigorous training in the academic and organizing skills needed to be transformative leaders. This is a “whole-person” immersive experience that will serve them personally and in their community work for the rest of their lives. They will also build lifelong friendships, as well as do the community and personal work of healing individual and collective trauma. Each cohort critique and diagnose the harmful effects of existing institutional models and practices concerning their research focus. They will then investigate, analyze, and develop policy recommendations on the issue.
In parallel, we will experience the joy and depth of our own learning community. Participants will get to explore their personal passion and drive for social justice, they will get to meet other leaders and build community beyond their home place. We will also have a lot of fun! We will travel, play, and bond while we are learning and our lives will be changed for the better as a result. If this feels like a fit for you, join us for this one-of-a-kind opportunity!
Please complete your application by clicking on the following link:
SJLI Youth Justice Fellowship 2021-22 Application
You will need to upload a cover letter and your resume/cv
Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 4, 2021, 11:59 pm (PST)
If you have any questions, please email Gabriel Regalado at gregalado@sjli.org
“My husband was diagnosed with hypertension at 25. The doctor says, you know, you need to eat better. We’re two Black kids from the hood. What does that mean?
I just started to notice around my neighborhood that we weren’t the only people dealing with this issue.
You could literally walk down the street and see the health disparity in my neighborhood. There were over 250 fast-food restaurants but if I drive up the 10 freeway there’s eight farmer’s markets.
I wanted to build at least 100 gardens in my community so that it started to feel normal to walk through urban spaces and see food growing.”
Watch SJLI Health Equity Program Manager and 100 Seeds of Change Creator Nicole Steele as she shares in this Healthline video series how a passion to transform community health 100 seeds at a time went from urban spaces to integrated common core curriculum at our Urban Scholar schools and legislation that allows renters to grow food in rented spaces.
For more, go to https://www.healthline.com/health/power-in-video-series
SJLI Teams with Healthline & Health Equity Leaders to Support the Stronger ScholarshipHealth equity leaders of today know that building a more equitable world starts with our communities and the students making changes at the ground level.
Our Health Equity Program Manager and 100 Seeds of Change Creator Nicole Steele has teamed up with Healthline and other health equity trailblazers who have stepped into their calling by helping others, building community, and challenging systemic inequities.
Together, they are using their voices, experiences and passion to support The Healthline & Prevention Institute Stronger Scholarship, which will offer $7,000 to three Black, Hispanic/Latinx or Indigenous students reducing health inequities in their community.
To all of our students out there creating positive strides in health equity, visit healthline.com/stronger to learn more and apply today.
The application deadline is April 20, 2021.