Welcome to the Virtual Activism Fair brought to you by the Mandela Social Justice Day Committee, College of Liberal Arts Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and the USI Center for Social Justice Education.
The Activism Fair was a part of our series of virtual events surrounding Mandela Social Justice Day in February 2021.
Below are many links and videos to various local and national organizations with a focus on activism. Browse through these materials and find new ways to help those in your community.
BRIDGE: Building Respect & Integrity in Diverse Greater Evansville
Social Justice Issue: racial justice
Vision: A community in which all people are accepted and treated with dignity.
Mission: Believing that bridges are better than walls, BRIDGE will foster positive relationships, understanding, and dialogue across the diverse Evansville community. Partnering with all race, ethnic, and faith groups, BRIDGE will create opportunities for engagement in an atmosphere of respect and openness.
Since October 2018, many community members have joined BRIDGE in an important conversation about implicit and explicit bias, racism, and white privilege. In 2019, BRIDGE partnered with EVPL to facilitate a series of events on understanding privilege and overcoming bias. Now, BRIDGE has three work groups that are turning our newfound collective understanding into collective action. The work groups are open to all who want to help with planning and organizing this important work regarding anti-racism and racial equity.
Additional Links
Veterans for Peace
Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.
Additional Links
Evansville NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
Social Justice Issues: criminal justice reform, environmental justice
The NAACP founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country. The NAACP advocates against forms of discrimination when the situation involves people of color, particularly African American. Equity and Equality opportunity, support, assistance, specific needs or abilities as they are applied to minority groups.
We have a College Chapter of the NAACP located on USI Campus!
Additional Links
Citizens' Climate Lobby - Evansville Chapter
Social Justice Issue: environmental justice
Citizens' Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national solutions to address climate change.
Students can join the Evansville Chapter and plan/take part in climate-related actions on campus or in the community. They can join on national CCL website.
Additional Links
Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment (CAJE)
Social Justice Issues: criminal justice reform, poverty/social welfare, racial justice, access to health care
CAJE is an interfaith organization comprised of many faiths. We believe that, by working together, we can create a more just and fair community for the poor, marginalized and forgotten.
USI student can be involved in CAJE by participating in an internship or by networking with any one of our 24 member congregations.
Additional Links
Drum for Enlightenment
Social Justice Issue: racial justice
Additional Links
Indivisible Evansville
Social Justice Issue: social justice
Mission: To protect our rights, institutions, & values, through local, grassroots activism.
We welcome participation in our events & activism from USI students!
Additional Links
League of Women Voters of Southwest Indiana
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
USI students can get involved with voter registration, redistricting in Indiana, protecting voters and removing barriers to vote, and defending the environment.
Additional Links
River City Pride
Social Justice Issue: LGBTQ+ issues
Mission: To unite, educated, and serve the LGBTQ+ and supportive members of the community In Evansville and surrounding areas. To celebrate and advocate our history while providing a safe space for networking and outreach where all who attend may be themselves.
USI students can be a part of the cause through working with us on social activism & community involvement.
Additional Links
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Additional Links
Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education
The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research and Education (AASPIRE) was founded in 2006. It brings together the academic community and the autistic community to conduct research projects relevant to the needs of adults on the autism spectrum. Our partnership adheres to the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), whereby academics and community members serve as equal partners throughout the research process.
Despite great increases in the amount of research conducted on autism, there has been little focus on how to improve the lives of adults on the autism spectrum. Adults on the spectrum are not usually included as resources or partners in autism research, despite having a wealth of information, experience, insight, and skills to offer.
AASPIRE was started by academics and autistics who recognized the need to work together to develop and implement research studies that truly benefit the autistic community. Using a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, researchers, autistic adults, and people who support individuals on the autism spectrum work together as equal partners throughout every phase of the research process.
Additional Links
Act on Coal Ash: Indiana Coalition
Working to protect the environment for all Hoosiers.
From the Sierra Club website: The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. Help the Sierra Club keep fighting for Earth's natural resources.
Working for a clean energy transition in the Ohio River Valley.
Community Toolbox
Millions of people use the Community Tool Box each year to get help taking action, teaching, and training others in organizing for community development. Dive in to find help assessing community needs and resources, addressing social determinants of health, engaging stakeholders, action planning, building leadership, improving cultural competency, planning an evaluation, and sustaining your efforts over time.
Ohio River Valley Beyond Coal