Social Justice Matters (SJM) is a local grassroots non-profit organization. Their members are committed to active inquiry into matters of race in our society, and to working towards an equitable community. SJM serves as a resource for community concerns, and facilitates truthful and meaningful discussions and action about race and related topics.
SJM’s is committed to achieving greater social justice by exploring the values, opportunities and challenges arising from our diverse communities. SJM was formed in 2009 when an offensive and potentially inflammatory flyer was distributed on the lawns and driveways of residents of Scotch Plains and Fanwood. An effort was made to bring this community together to ensure that this ugly seed would not have fertile soil in which to grow.
At a meeting convened by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Ministerium, and led by a representative from the U.S. Justice Department, a group of approximately 20 members of the SPF community engaged in small-group discussions about our individual backgrounds and personal feelings about race. Following a brief discussion of the entire group, it was decided that the discussion should continue.
SJM Board members are Tashira Wheeler – President; Talib Morgan – Vice President; Amy Winkler –Secretary; Mike Zito – Treasurer; Members at large — Rabbi Joel N Abraham; April Chestang; Michelle Burwell; Delia McGee Davis; Pam Brownstein, and Denise Soppas.
Throughout 2010, a core group met and planned the future of the committee, The committee decided to be organized as Social Justice Matters. The Social Justice Matters Steering Committee received training by The Beyond Diversity Resource Center (BDRC) to equip them with techniques for facilitating discussions about race. SJM meets regularly as a small and committed group of local residents and now includes members from the surrounding communities, which believe in the mission of SJM.
SJM presents public programs, maintains an active role in community affairs and partners with other organizations to promote opportunities for local youth and under-served populations.
SJM serves as funding sponsor of the annual Scotch Plains – Fanwood Martin Luther King Day of Service. SJM has also sponsored or co-sponsored an event at each of those celebrations. Its active projects include sponsoring screenings of documentary the “Undivide Us,” the Juneteenth Celebration, “Dr. King’s Dream” oral history project, promoting the support of black- owned businesses and the BSU Scholarship. SJM also supports the Kramer Manor Project.
The SJM Young Change Makers Scholarship for Scotch Plains-Fanwood BSU High School seniors; the SJM Juneteenth Celebration now in its 8 th year. The theme this year will be “HARAMBEE: Pull together to Honor our past, Build our future, and Celebrate our FREEDOM.” SJM also has an annual Juneteenth Art Contest.
For MLK Day of Service SJM partnered with REAL Parents to create a King’s Dream video archive project. They also partnered with the Preserve Shady Rest to have a social open to SJM members and the wider community. Some of SJM’s community Alliances are NJ Faith Allies for Reparations, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School BSU, and Y Achievers.
