ad·vo·ca·cy 

an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions

There are many ways to foster change in our society. This page covers a variety of avenues you as an individual can take to use your voice and take action to help our community advance social justice causes. 

Get Involved at Howard University School of Law 

• Howard Law School's Clinical Law Center: The primary goals of the Clinical Law Center are to (1) provide a high quality course of training for law students, allowing students to develop the skills necessary for career-long commitments to public service; (2) provide excellent civil-rights oriented legal services to underserved and indigent individuals; (3) serve as a nerve center in Howard’s social justice operations; and (4) help develop the next generation of civil rights attorneys.
  • Human and Civil Rights/Movement Lawyering Clinic 
  • Child Welfare Clinic
  • Fair Housing Clinic
  • Criminal Justice Clinic
• Consider Donating to Howard University School of Law School to support social justice mission driven work. 

Organizations focused on Long-Term Efforts

Racial Equality

• American Civil Liberties Union: a variety of different ways you can help the ACLU fight for civic liberty protections
• Anguish & Action: President Obama's non-profit organization dedicated to societal change.
• National Black Women's Justice Institute: they work to reduce racial and gender disparities that affect Black women and their families. 
• NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund: the legal defense fund that supports the NAACP's fight for racial justice.

LGBTQ+ Organizations

• The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersexual Association: a worldwide federation of more than 1,600 organizations from over 150 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights.
• The International Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Intersex Law Association: strives to unite people around the world who are dedicated to equality under the law. Advocacy efforts can help to create laws and regulations that benefit, rather than harm, the LGBT community.

Prisoners Assistance

• The American Association for Law Libraries Page on Assistance for Prisoners: devoted to AALL special projects and library resources available to assist prisoners.
• The Prisoner Advocacy and Legal Network: The Prisoner Advocacy and Legal Network (PLAN) is a volunteer network of activists, attorneys, legal workers, medical professionals, and law students. PLAN is an advocacy network, not a litigation team.
• Prisoner Reentry Network: The Prisoner Reentry Network is dedicated to promoting successful transitions from incarceration to the community.

Voters Rights

• Fair Fight: "promotes fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights. Fair Fight brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in other voter education programs and communications."

Immigrant Rights

• Immigration Advocates Network: is dedicated to expanding access to immigration legal resources and information through collaboration and technology. IAN was created in 2007 by leading immigrants' rights organizations, to increase access to justice for low-income immigrants and strengthen the capacity of organizations serving them.
• National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: works to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status. 

Take Action

Events

• Civics Roundup - The 51st: The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit local news source for D.C. Their work focuses on "holding political leaders accountable, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrating the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home." Each week The 51st posts a curated list of ways to fight for freedom, equality, and dignity for the people of DC.

Support

• Consider signing up for a newsletter, becoming a member, or donating to any of the organizations listed in this guide. All of these organizations, but particularly the local and grassroots ones, need support in order to continue carrying out their missions. 
  • Donate | NAACP
  • Donate | Fair Fight 
  • Donate | Immigration Advocates Network
  • Newsletters | The Obama Foundation
  • Support The 51st