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30 JulNews

Discovering Justice with Judge Wolohojian and Special Guests

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As schools have closed and learning has moved online, parents and classroom teachers are facing challenges as they adapt to remote learning. We are all working to create new and creative opportunities to engage our students.

Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian and a number of special guests including Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey worked with Discovering Justice to develop and deliver an innovative online mock trial unit.
Over the course of 5-6 online sessions, students ranging from 8-11 years old prepared to engage in a mock trial concerning an Indigenous tribe and a museum and the rightful ownership of tribal artifacts displayed in an exhibit at the museum. Students analyzed evidence, used evidence to build an argument, discussed themes of justice and civic duty, and presented their cases to the Judge.
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01 JulNews

Students as Superheroes

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  • Who is a superhero?
  • Someone who stands up for themselves and their community?
  • Someone who fights the good fight?
  • Someone who works for justice?

At Discovering Justice, we know that students are superheroes when they engage in issues in their communities.

 During a time when COVID-19 has thrown students off of their regular routines, and people across America are rallying against injustice, Discovering Justice has provided an opportunity for them to stand up and stand out.

Discovering Justice’s Civics Superhero Contest asked students to get active and create a project that works for justice and/or supports others during COVID-19. We have received more than 100 submissions. Award winners will be announced July 1 and will be featured on Discovering Justice’s website and social media.

Click here to see a sample of the submissions.

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24 JunNews

Discovering Justice in a Pandemic

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America’s legal system often provides a framework and guidelines on how we address issues that impact our communities. From civil rights and environmental concerns to individual freedoms and the rights of corporations, the legal system can help us address issues that impact us all.

This summer, we are piloting Discovering Justice’s Topics Program, to help students better understand and explore the legal system and how it is addressing real issues impacting our communities.
The first course in our Topics Program, Discovering Justice in a Pandemic, will create a space for students to wrestle with the tensions inherent in how society is responding to COVID-19. Lawyers, community health officials, judges, and community activists will lead classes for students to talk about the need to protect personal liberties and the need for communities to set limits in order to protect public health. The program will culminate in a student-led roundtable discussion in which students will present and discuss what they’ve learned and created throughout the sessions.
We will be working with students and counselors at Camp Harborview and Crossroads, two nonprofits that run student leadership programs throughout the year.
Moving into the fall, Discovering Justice is considering developing courses on the Civil Rights Movement, the United States as a Protest Nation, the Environmental Movement, and the Workers’ Rights Movement.
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12 JunNews

Educational Resources on Race and Inequality

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Discovering Justice’s Education Director Laura Brenner compiled this list of resources to support learning and facilitate conversations around race and racism in America.

Books For Students

 

Books by Black authors to for Adults:

General:

 

 

 

Specifically for Educators:

 

*Please consider purchasing these titles and others from Frugal Bookstore, a Black-owned community bookstore in Boston that DJ tries to support whenever possible.

 

Articles

 

Video

Specifically for Educators:

 

Podcasts

 

Netflix Series

 

Amazon Prime

 

HBO

 

Social Media Accounts:

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Photo/Reba Saldanha June 17, 2020
29 MayNews

Welcome Discovering Justice’s New Executive Director

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Discovering Justice is excited to welcome Matt Wilson as our new Executive Director.

Wilson has a three-decade history as a nonprofit executive in the Commonwealth, most recently finishing a seven-year stint as the founding Executive Director of MASSCreative, the state’s advocacy group for the arts and creative community.

“Matt brings a history of building and managing nonprofits that educate, prepare, and engage students and Massachusetts residents in civic actions,” said Tony Jordan, board president of Discovering Justice. “We are excited that he is bringing his energy, experience, and passion for positive change to Discovering Justice. Especially in the current environment, Matt is the kind of leader we need to take Discovering Justice into the future and best serve our constituents.”

For thirty-six years, Wilson built and ran community-based initiatives for a healthier and more vibrant Commonwealth. As a community organizer, public advocate, fundraiser, and trainer, Wilson has worked with residents to help them envision, realize, and build their capacity and power for change. He has led campaigns for a cleaner environment, affordable and accessible health care, and increased investment in the arts.

“I am excited about the opportunity to help grow Discovering Justice’s programs that help students understand how the legal system works and how they can act to create a more just Massachusetts,” said Wilson. “There has never been a more important time to engage in civic action and ensure that our democracy is vibrant and holds our leaders accountable. I look forward to working with our dedicated staff to continue Discovering Justice’s two-decade-long history of working with judges, teachers, lawyers, and civic leaders to teach students about the judicial system and to work for justice.”

Wilson was the founding Executive Director of MASSCreative, the statewide advocacy voice for Massachusetts’ arts, cultural, and creative community. Under his direction, MASSCreative grew to more than 400 organizational members with 25,000 individuals taking part in public education and advocacy actions. In his tenure, arts funding in the Commonwealth doubled and his advocacy work helped implement state policies to increase access and participation to quality arts education.

As the Director of Toxics Action Center from 1989 to 2005, Wilson built the organization from scratch to a New England-wide resource for hundreds of neighborhoods working to protect themselves from pollution threats.

Wilson graduated from Dartmouth College earned a Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

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15 AprNews

2018-19 Volunteer Impact

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This year, Discovering Justice volunteers conducted Courthouse tours for nearly 2,000 visitors, served over 3,000 students through our field trip program, and dedicated over 4,000 hours to after school programming.

A huge thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who worked with us in May and June.

Annapurna Balakrishna, Leciana Barbosa, Andrew Barreira, Kevin Boyle, David Brown, Sabrina Chartrand, Ain Clinto Cerbito, Jacky Chong, Priscilla Cobb, Alisa De Dominics, Garrick Dust, Dean Elwell, Mark Este, Jonathan Feinberg, Eric Fist, Elicia Flemming, Betsy Gabrielson, Claire Gardner, Lauren Godles-Milgroom, Nathalie Hart, Lisa Jacobson, Hervens Jean-Baptiste, Rachel Jellinek, Julia Jonas-Day, Anastassia Korin, Thomas Kreeger, Tim Krumreig, Cheryl Lomaglio-Puleio, Allyson Lowitz, Amy Mahler, Emmylou Manwill, Sarah Marshall, Rajon Mitchell, Jenn Mori, Katie Moxam, Yani Ngo, Lydia Nicholls, Claire Nivolla, Jane Peachy, Marrissa Persichini, Graham Porell, Taisha Richmond, Maryrose Robson, Shawn Rossier, Annabel Rodriguez, Karen Rutherford, Jasmine Sadeghani, Suzanne Schlossberg, Meaghan Sheridan, Hillary Sullivan, Xiaxoue Sun, Julie Thames, Jane Triano, Joe Veilleux, Harry Wang, Ning Yang, and Liuyang Yu

If you’re interested in working with the next generation of civic leaders and getting involved with our programs, contact Johnny Sadoff at jsadoff@discoveringjustice.flywheelsites.com

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Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.