As we step into February, we take a moment to reflect on the important work we did in January, a month filled with community engagement, empowerment, and a continued commitment to fighting for justice. The Freedom Center for Social Justice was busy laying the groundwork for a year of progress, and we are proud to share the impact we’ve made together.

Know Your Rights Clinic at St.John’s Baptist Church in partnership with Carolina Migrant Network in Charlotte, NC.

Know Your Rights Clinics in Partnership with Carolina Migrant Network

One of our key initiatives in January was the Know Your Rights Clinics in partnership with Carolina Migrant Network. These clinics were designed to provide vital information and resources to immigrant communities, ensuring that individuals and families are informed about their legal rights in the event of an ICE encounter. By empowering families with the knowledge of what steps to take should a detainer come to their door, we are providing a crucial service that ensures safety, dignity, and human rights in uncertain times. These clinics are being well attended, and we are committed to continuing these efforts throughout the year to protect and support our migrant neighbors.

Creating Change 2025

January also saw our team actively engaged in Creating Change 2025, the nation's foremost political, leadership, and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ+ movement. Our Interim Executive Director, Cameron Pruette, and our Director of Emerging Programs Bishop Tonyia Rawls were able to connect with activists, organizations, and leaders from across the country, discussing strategies to advance equality, inclusion, and justice. At the event, we participated in a series of panels and workshops, including the North Carolina Caucus, where we highlighted our work within the state and shared the challenges and victories of our local communities. We are inspired by the connections made and the knowledge shared at Creating Change, and we’re excited to carry this energy into our advocacy efforts in the months ahead.

Cameron Pruette, Interim Executive Director of the Freedom Center for Social Justice with Keith Bullard, Deputy Director of the Union of Southern Service Workers at USSW’s Worker Power Summit 2025

Strengthening Union Work and Advocating for Worker Rights

Our commitment to organizing within labor movements and advocating for workers' rights continued through our strong relationship with unions across the state. We leveraged labor relationships to secure Trans-inclusive benefits in contracts with North Carolina CWA workers in 2024. Our partnership with labor unions such as the the Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW) helps build solidarity between LGBTQ+ communities and organized labor, ensuring that workers, especially those in marginalized communities, have the protections and benefits they deserve. This collaboration is just one example of how we’re working across sectors to bring about lasting, systemic change.

It was an absolute honor to attend the Union of Southern Service Workers’s Worker Power Summit! Their incredible work for labor rights, justice, and equality resonates deeply with our mission at the Freedom Center. We’re inspired by their commitment to empowering low-wage workers and building worker power across the South. We are reminded that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and labor rights are intertwined, as both movements demand equality, dignity, and fair treatment for all.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with USSW as we fight together for fair wages, equal treatment, and the protection of all workers’ rights. The struggle continues, and we’re proud to stand in solidarity with them! 🌟

In our column Queering Solidarity: The Power of Solidarity in LGBTQ+ and Labor Movements - Liberation is an Intersectional Journey, we explore the vital intersection between LGBTQ+ rights and labor movements, emphasizing how collective power can create lasting change. This piece highlights how solidarity between these movements is essential for advancing justice and achieving liberation for all marginalized communities.

The Freedom Center for Social Justice Celebrates Black History Month celebrating the incredible contributions of Black individuals who have shaped history, uplifted communities, and paved the way for future generations while honoring the voices, resilience, and strength of Black leaders, activists, and communities.

Uplifting and Celebrating Black History Month

As we reflect on the work done in January, we are also looking forward to February and the beginning of Black History Month. Throughout the year, our work centers on uplifting and empowering Black communities, especially those at the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. As we continue to fight for justice and equality, we acknowledge the rich history and contributions of Black leaders, activists, and everyday people who have paved the way for progress. This month serves as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment of Black communities in the fight for equality. From the work we do with labor unions to our commitment to transgender advocacy, we honor the legacy of Black leaders such as Audre Lorde, Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson, and many others who have shaped the path toward a more just world.

At The Freedom Center for Social Justice, we’re committed to ensuring that our work honors and celebrates Black History Month not just in February, but every single day. By working together, we continue to lift each other up and build a world where justice, equity, and love prevail.

Looking Ahead

January was only the beginning. With your support, we will continue to advocate for workers’ rights, provide essential resources to migrant families, and organize for justice in our communities. We look forward to the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead in 2024 and invite you to continue this journey with us.

As we celebrate Black History Month and reflect on the legacy of the struggles that have brought us here, we also renew our commitment to the work ahead. Let’s keep pushing forward together in solidarity.

Thank you for being part of the Freedom Center for Social Justice community and for all that you do to make the world a better place for everyone.

Support The Freedom Center for Social Justice

As we continue to build a more inclusive and just society, your support is crucial. By donating today, you help sustain the vital programs and initiatives that empower marginalized communities. Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens our ability to create meaningful change. Join us in this work, and together we can ensure that our mission of advocacy, empowerment, and justice lives on for years to come. Thank you for your continued commitment to making a difference.

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January: A Month of Advocacy, Empowerment, and Action