Check out and sign this petition being spearheaded by a YOI Freedom School Alum! Here is the testimony from Hayden’s friend on why the petition is being organized: My friend Hayden Riner just wanted to use the restrooms at Athens Drive High School. This should be no big deal, right? You need to go when […]
Toward another powerful year!
Dear movement family, What a year. In 2015 we trained over 200 young people in popular education, young people’s movement history, political analysis, and concrete organizing skills; mobilized over 500 young people to: demonstrations against HB318, Wake County School Board Meetings, HKonJ and the 1st ever Black Lives Matter Youth Assembly, the Environmental Justice Summit […]
Solidarity with the Students of #AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh
Earlier this year a video of a school resource officer (cop) went viral. In the video, “Office Slam”, as students called him, violently grabbed and threw, Shakara, a young Black girl in the classroom as teachers and administrators stood by. A brave young woman, Niya Kenny, recorded this video and came to the defense of the […]
We’re hiring a campaign director
CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR – Part-Time Position: The Youth Organizing Institute’s campaign director has primary responsibility for the Solutions Not Suspensions Campaign. Should have an orientation to youth organizing, campaign development, and adult allyship. Salary Range: $15/hr, approximately 50 hours/month (10-15 hrs/week) See the rest of the description here.
NC Climate Justice Summit
Noah, Alejandra, Camryn, Tavon, and Beatrice at the 2nd Annual NC Climate Justice Summit! The Youth Organizing Institute is honored to be a co-sponsor of an amazing weekend summit, convening hundreds of people from across the state to discuss climate change and environmental justice. YOI led two workshops: 1 on state violence and another on […]
Get Cops Out of Our Schools Winter Fund Drive
FROM SPRING VALLEY TO WAKE COUNTY, FROM CHARLOTTE TO CHAPEL HILL, SRO’s HAVE GOT TO GO! Cops are out of control in our neighborhoods and in our classrooms. Young people everyday face schools that are becoming more and more prison-like; from metal detectors to armed guards, searches and out of school suspensions, young people are […]
Save the date! 3rd Annual Ella Baker Gala
Our Annual Ella Baker Gala is an opportunity to celebrate youth organizers, adult allies, and everyone in our community that makes youth organizing possible. Keep an eye out for our Facebook event page and end of year fundraising appeal. Your contribution of a solidarity message or advertisement in our Solidarity Ad Display will help to […]
In Response to South Carolina: Will a Wake Student be Next?
Early this week, a video surfaced of a young black student being assaulted by School Resource Officer (SRO) Ben Fields in Columbia, South Carolina. The video clearly showed that SROs and law enforcement should not handle routine school discipline issues. The young woman was hurled to the ground and dragged violently by the officer in […]
Upcoming events!
LGBTQ Teen Focus Group Wednesday, November 3 | 3:30pm-6:30pm. Free pizza. The LGBTQ Center of Durham is looking for Durham teens (high school aged) willing to answer some of their questions and chill with some pizza. So come out and let yourself be heard, socialize and make new friends + FREE PIZZA! And if you […]
We demand justice
Dear movement family, Yesterday a video of a young Black student in South Carolina went viral. She was assaulted by a school resource officer (cop) in the classroom for refusing to leave. Many of us watched the short footage taken by her classmates with heartwrenching pain. We know that this is the reality for young […]