About the Place-Based Justice Network
Place-based community engagement is defined by Kent Koth and Erica Yamamura as a long-term, university-wide commitment to partner with local residents, organizations, and other leaders to focus equally on-campus and community impact within a clearly defined geographic area.
Recognizing the opportunity to learn collectively, the Place-Based Justice Network's thirty-six member organizations participate in monthly salon series and racial caucus spaces. To uplift professionals of color PBJN also runs the BIPOC Leadership Collective. The Network also hosts an annual summer conference and winter leadership retreat to exchange ideas and lessons learned in the field.
History
In 2014, teams from 12 universities gathered at Seattle University for a two-day institute to create a community-inspired definition of place-based work. Since the initial convening, teams from over 25 universities have participated in three additional multi-day institutes organized by Seattle University and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In February 2018, leaders from several member universities met to clarify the purpose and structure of what has become known as the Place-Based Justice Network.
Purpose of the Place-Based Justice Network
Focusing on a place-based community engagement strategy invites institutions of higher education and their communities into a deeper examination of how transformation and change occurs on campus and in communities. This exploration often leads to an analysis of how to address historic and current systems that disenfranchise people based on race, gender, class, national origin and many other personal and communal identifiers.
- We are committed to an anti-oppression framework that recognizes intersectionality.
- We pursue partnerships and initiatives that are long-term, reciprocal, and grounded in a deliberative process.
- We emphasize actions that are defined by community-identified goals that foster self- determination.
- We recognize that change occurs through continuous individual and collective learning and action.
- We honor that this work involves openness, integrity and humility.
The Network is led by a group of member-leaders in a volunteer capacity. To learn more about how to get involved as a leader of the Network or how to become a member please contact the national staff lead, John Loggins at the University of San Diego.
- Anthony Medina, The Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC)
- Daveon Swan, Loyola Marymount University
- Francesca Lo, University of Washington
- Gavin Luter, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Vice Chair
- Jamie Ducar, University of Pittsburgh, Chair
- Jen Britton, Drexel University
- John Loggins, University of San Diego
- Molly Ayers, Gonzaga University
- Nairuti Shastry, Beloved Economies
- Samantha Giodarno, Saint Mary’s College of California
- Anthony Medina, Coalition of Urban & Metropolitan Universities
- Julia Anderson, Michigan State University
- Gavin Luter, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Jamie Ducar, University of Pittsburgh
- John Loggins, University of San Diego
- Molly Ayers, Gonzaga University
- Nairuti Shastry, Nuance Research, Strategy, & Consulting, LLC (independent consultant)
- Samantha Giodarno, Saint Mary’s College of California
Member Engagement Working Group
- Amanda Wittebort, University of Florida
- Iliana Molina Estrada, Santa Clara University
- John Loggins, Univ of San Diego
- Meredith Devey, Whitworth
- Molly Ayers, Gonzaga University
- Gavin Luter, UW Madison
Sustainability Working Group
- Charise Alexander Adams, Creighton University
- Gavin Luter, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Jamie Ducar, University of Pittsburgh
- John Loggins, University of San Diego
- Julie Plaut, Brown University
- Morgan Rawlings, Towson University
- Nairuti Shastry, Nuance Research, Strategy, & Consulting, LLC (independent consultant)
- Tyrone (“Ty”) Roper, University of Maryland
National Strategy Working Group
- Samantha Giordano, St. Mary’s of California
- Cara Scharf, Drexel University
- Karin Cotterman, University of San Francisco
- Susan Haarman, Loyola University Chicago
- Elaine Ikeda, LEAD California
- Jen Britton, Drexel University
- John Loggins, University of San Diego
- Crystal Montalvo, College of Staten Island (CUNY)
- Gia Greer, Loyola University Maryland
- Maurice Smith, Tulane University
- Katherine Feely, John Carroll University
