Dr. Brenda Williams Harewood
Uniondale School District
Uniondale, New York

Eric Jacobson
The Progressive School
Merrick, New York

Social Justice Leaders and Neighbors
by Shalinie Sarju, Molloy College  

Dr. Brenda Williams Harewood and Eric Jacobson, two social justice leaders are neighbors in the racially and socioeconomically segregated education system on Long Island, New York. Dr. Harewood serves in the predominantly African American and Hispanic, lower socioeconomic Uniondale School District, and Mr. Jacobson leads in a private school in the predominantly Caucasian, upper-middle class Merrick. While they are neighbors a mere mile apart, the student populations are separated by the chasmic divides of race and socioeconomic class. These steadfast principals, however, have shown that social justice leadership may be successfully implemented in any neighborhood. Read paper...

Cheryl Champ
Sewanhaka Central High School
Floral Park, New York

Dr. Cheryl Champ: A Social Justice Leader with a Vision
by Mariola Krol, Molloy College  

In today's climate of divisive rhetoric, there is a need for social justice that values building a bridge across differences through dialogue and action. Social action begins with a vision to  transform society and actively contribute to the development of awareness, knowledge, and tools for creating and sustaining change over a long period of time (Zuniga, 2013). Dr. Cheryl Champ is one of those visionaries, working to outline conceptual frameworks for diversity and social justice in education. Read paper...

Amy Buchanan
Dutch Broadway Elementary School
Elmont, New York

Amy Buchanan: A Representative of Change
by Nathaniel Marner, Molloy College  

According to Bell (2013), "the goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs" (p. 21). It takes a special person to stand and fight for what's right on a daily basis. McCray and Beachum (2014) stated that "Building bridges with the community is a prerequisite for school success" (p.74). Similarly, Amy Buchanan the former principal of the Alden Terrace Elementary School and the current principal of the Dutch Broadway Elementary School, has done this throughout her tenure as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Read paper...

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre
Assembly District 11
Lindenhurst, New York

Moving Communities Forward: Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre
by Jennifer Somma-Coughlin, Molloy College

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre never set out to have a career in politics or to serve the diverse communities of Long Island.  Yet, she has faced multiple obstacles to emerge as a dynamic Assemblywoman and an innovative social justice leader. Read paper...

William G. Ferguson,
St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy
Ozone Park, New York

On a Daily Mission for Equity and Social Justice: William G. Ferguson
by Margaret Paladino, Molloy College

There is an issue with social justice and equity within our schools. According to Bell (2013), "The goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs" (p. 21). One such social justice leader whose philosophy is "Equal education and resources for all students," is William G. Ferguson, principal of St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy in Ozone Park, New York (personal communication, October 6, 2015). Read paper...

Dr. Nita Evans
Rockville Centre School District
Rockville Centre, New York

An Agent of Change: Dr. Nita Evans and Her Journey as a Social Justice Leader
by Amy Eckelmann, Molloy College

"Social justice is both a process and a goal (2007, p. 21)," encourages Lee Ann Bell, coeditor of the compilation of essays for social justice entitled Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. Sociologist, educational consultant, women's online higher education program developer, and mother, Dr. Nita Evans, embodies how social justice is a process, through which a goal may be achieved. Throughout her incredible journey as an agent of change, Evans has lifted herself from a cycle of oppression that so many young black women become stuck in; she has balanced her personal life to create a career to help motivate other agents of change, and she has personally benefited multiple struggling agencies in need of closing the gaps of privilege. In addition, Evans is a developer of initiatives in multiple fields, benefiting children as young as five, and women over thirty-five. Read paper...