Civic Engagement & Social Justice

Civic engagement & SOCIAL JUSTICE curriculum

Lesson Plans

Black History Month

 Did you know that the origins of Black History Month has roots in Chicago? In the summer of 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson travelled from Washington D.C. for the State of Illinois sponsored celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation. Only three years later, one of the most important Chicago civil rights activists would be born and go on to witness Woodson’s Negro History Week become America’s Black History Month, and his lifelong fight for racial justice would echo through generations.

Walk Towards Change

Our differences are meant to be celebrated. Check out this TedTalk by Verna Myers, a diversity consultant working to help people recognize and unlearn our biases based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, and more.

Social Justice

Youth activists are paving the way to create just communities for all. Honeycomb kids, like the Radical Monarchs, are our next generation of changemakers. Today, and every day, it's important for us to stand up for what we believe in, educate ourselves, and work to make positive change in our communities.

Listen Up

The Listening Inc. engages youth in expressing their voices creatively with regular events like open mic sessions, movie screening, and special performance showcases. By celebrating youth voices, The Listening encourages and mobilizes youth to speak out and become activists in their communities.

Celebrate Pride

Pride is a reminder for all of us to live as our true selves while protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. Listen to the story of Patrick, a gay man growing up in conservative rural town in the 1950s whose father taught him to recognize and be proud of his queer identity.

Indigenous People’s Day

Language is an important part of culture, it helps us communicate, gives us words for cultural experiences and phenomenons, and allows us express who we are. The strength of community, tradition, and indigenous youth have fought to preserve these languages and to celebrate indigenous heritage.

Envision Justice

Restorative justice is a holistic approach to confronting crime. Rather than focusing on punishment, restorative justice systems rely on values such as respect, participation, trust, accountability, and healing. By transforming the spaces and places where we do justice, we can end mass incarceration and build peaceful communities.

A Vote For All

Many people in our country are unable to vote. If you're under 18, formerly incarcerated, undocumented, or without an ID, you may not be able to vote in an election. Artist, Aram Han Sifuentes, envisions a world where everyone has a voice in building our community and democracy. What would our country look like if everyone's voices were heard?