Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI)

The Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute

The Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI) is a community research initiative of the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

The mission of the Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI) is to address systemic racism and other forms of inequality through interdisciplinary problem solving that addresses the legacy of racial injustice and advances a just and prosperous society for all people.

About the SJREI

The SJREI was established in 2022 to address systemic racism and other forms of inequality through interdisciplinary problem-solving that addresses the legacy of racial injustice and advances a just and prosperous society for all people.

Community

Person at a table conducting a Conference Call

Justice Empowerment Series

The Justice Empowerment Series is an initiative of the SJREI that leverages technology to provide quarterly lecture series and trainings to diverse communities and constituencies. 

Community Partners Development students in classroom.

Community Impact Initiatives

The SJREI works with community partners to engage in community impact initiatives. The impact initiatives will be guided by research, writing, training, and advocacy to provide direct assistance to individuals and communities in need.

Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute Launch Gala

Render of the Justice Statue

Committed to Working Together

The Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI) hosted its official launch gala on April 15, 2023. The gala brought together city, state and community leaders, elected officials, social justice advocates and legal experts committed to working together to advance equity, civil rights, and racial justice.

a field of multi-colored clenched fists pointing upwards

About the Gala Speaker

The speaker for the gala was Irving L. Joyner, who has worked as a professor at the NCCU School of Law since 1982. From 1984 to 1992, he served as the associate dean of the NCCU School of Law. A leading expert on civil rights, race and the law, Joyner was selected as the Charles Hamilton Houston Endowed Chair in 2021. Recently, he was among the 2023 honorees recognized during Black History Month by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper for his critical work in the legal field and justice system.

Research and Resources

SJREI contributes to the body of work on social justice and racial equity work through policy research and scholarship. This research and writing is shared in a variety of formats, including blog posts, white papers, articles, law school reports, and teaching materials.