JUSTICE INITIATIVES

We partner with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), based in Alabama, to work toward racial reconciliation and education. Beyond our commitment with EJI to remember the names and stories of the five Black men who were lynched in Hillsborough County, we are making efforts to increase awareness of our state and our country’s history of racial bias and prejudice, as well as the historical triumphs of people of color.

We partner with the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) to advocate for more locally controlled affordable housing in our community. Visit https://hopehillsborough.squarespace.com/ for more information.

Many individuals in our country and local community have been saddled with unjust fines and fees that leave them unable to get back on their feet after being charged with minor violations, misdemeanors, or felonies, or spending time in jail. We are working to tell the stories of people whose fines and fees have left them in debt or even homeless to raise awareness of this seldom-understood issue.

Florida House Bill 1365 prohibits counties in our state from allowing unauthorized camping or sleeping in public places. This will have a substantial negative effect on our neighbors living outside. We are working to learn more about how the bill will affect Hillsborough County and what action we can take to protect the safety and freedom of our homeless community members.

The lack of density and access opportunities in public transportation in Hillsborough County poses a problem for many of our community members. Our team is doing research on how we can advocate for better public transportation in our county.