2025 Social Justice Empowerment Experience

Join us as we celebrate yesterday's heroes, amplify today's voices, and empower tomorrow's changemakers.

Rooted in Mississippi’s unmatched legacy of courage, resistance, and hope, the Social Justice Empowerment Experience is a two-day convening in Jackson that fuels real-world change. Your sponsorship directly advances the Mississippi Center for Justice’s frontline work—legal representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education—across housing, health, economic justice, civic engagement, education equity, and heirs’ property. Together, we protect families from unlawful evictions, expand access to health care, preserve intergenerational land ownership, and ensure every child has an equal chance to learn and thrive.

This year, we are honored to celebrate Angie Thomas, an award-winning author and cultural voice for equity, as our keynote speaker and Champions of Justice honoree, alongside Jim Barksdale, founder, and Kelly Butler, former CEO of the Barksdale Reading Institute, whose transformative approach to literacy advanced educational equity statewide. Additionally, we honor William J. (Bill) Bynum, founding Chief Executive Officer of HOPE; Cassandra Williams, President of Hope Credit Union; and Ed Sivak, President of Hope Enterprise Corporation, for their leadership in creating financial inclusion in underserved communities in the Deep South.

Over two extraordinary days, the Experience begins with the Champions of Justice Dinner at The Westin Jackson on Thursday, October 23, at 6:00 p.m. It continues with the Justice Brunch at the Mississippi Museum of Art on Friday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m.

The Justice Brunch features an extraordinary panel discussion, moderated by MCJ’s President and CEO, Kimberly Jones Merchant, alongside two bestselling authors, Angie Thomas and Margaret McMullan, and renowned civil rights attorney Amir Badat. Following the panel, Jeffersonian-style table conversations led by MCJ and community luminaries provide an opportunity to delve deeper into critical topics alongside fellow advocates, movement leaders, and community members.

Why Your Sponsorship Matters

• Catalyze measurable impact: Fund legal actions, policy reforms, and community partnerships that deliver concrete protections and opportunities for Mississippi families.
• Elevate educational equity: Advance literacy and fair access to quality education through MCJ’s Education Equity Campaign and partners like the Barksdale Reading Institute.
• Stand with Mississippi’s movement: Align your brand with a trusted, homegrown public interest law firm that has delivered change for more than two decades.
• Be seen and engaged: Sponsors receive recognition in event materials and from the podium, premium seating, and opportunities to connect with honorees, movement leaders, and community partners.

For those considering donation and sponsorship pledges of $2,500 or more, MCJ is pleased to extend the pledge-fulfillment deadline to December 31, 2025, allowing ample time to complete your commitment. To discuss sponsorships and tailored benefits, please contact Tosha Taylor, Director of Philanthropy, at ttaylor@mscenterforjustice.org or (601) 709-0859.

The President’s Circle recognizes major donors who choose to advance justice through gifts made from their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), when sponsorships are not permitted in varying amounts aligned with each donor's philanthropic goals.

To purchase individual tickets, visit: https://mscenterforjustice.networkforgood.com/even.