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12th Annual Justice Celebration

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CAJM’s 12th Annual Justice Celebration
Monday, June 2nd at 6:30 PM
Greater St. Luke AME, 78 Gordon St.
 
This is more than a party — it’s a movement moment.
 
Join us as we reflect, rejoice, and recommit to the work of justice in our community. We’re celebrating bold victories — like the creation of Charleston’s Housing Trust Fund — and building power to keep the momentum going.
 
This year, we are deepening our commitment to:
 
🏠 Affordable Housing
🌍 Environmental Justice
📚 School Governance Partnerships
🚨 Police Accountability in Charleston and North Charleston
 
And yes — we’re raising the funds to make sure this work continues, grows, and builds grassroots power.
What to expect:
🎤 Powerful testimonies
🏆 Fun games (including the Justice Cup)
🎵 Awards, music, and our famous Final Dance
🌸 A clear call to action: stand up, show up, and give what you can to build our just community
Your congregation could win the Justice Cup — based on how many of your members attend and how much we raise!
 
 
🤎 Ready to show that your faith community stands for equity, dignity, and change?
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Ethical Governance in Education

In fall 2023, we heard testimony directly from students who were concerned about the dysfunction and discrimination coming from the school board, and who felt unsafe and uncared for by this district’s leadership. We also heard from many members of our community and organization who expressed concerned about the school board’s leadership.

Affordable Housing

Environmental Justice

To live in Charleston is to know what it means to be at the whim of Mother Earth. As a coastal city our livelihood is connected to the water, be it through fishing or tourism or trade. But as much as the water presents opportunity, it is also a very real threat to all of us here in the Charleston area.

Racial Discrimination in Police Practices

Racial Discrimination in Police Practices

The cities of Charleston and North Charleson uncovered disparities between Blacks and Whites in areas of traffic stops, arrests and use of force. In 2024, Charleston released a report on the implementation of best practices View the report here: CPD Report (charleston-sc.gov)

Youth Incarceration

Research shows that children in Charleston County were being arrested and incarcerated at higher rates than other counties in South Carolina and that most were being arrested for minor offenses.

Lack of Affordable Housing

Lack of Affordable Housing

Charleston area housing costs have skyrocketed. 211,000 residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Rental costs increased twice as much as wages from 2011 to 2016. N Charleston’s 2016 eviction rate was 16.5%, the highest of any large city in the US, with 10 households evicted every day. CAJM is successfully pushing the county to invest millions of dollars in a housing trust fund.

Inadequate Transportation

Charleston’s public transportation system takes too much time for thousands of community members who rely on it every day. Most bus lines run only once every 60 minutes and some every 90 minutes. Most riders have to walk or bike over a mile to get to a bus stop. There is no weekly pass and most low wage earners cannot afford the monthly pass.

What Folks Are Saying

"CAJM is the most effective social justice change agent I've seen in my lifetime in Charleston."
Judge Arthur McFarland
Judge Arthur McFarlandCAJM Team Leader
"CAJM is an organization that we partner with and who holds us accountable. Thank you for all the work you’ve put into (Restorative Practices)."
Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson
Darlene Dunmeyer-RobersonCharleston County School Board Member
“CAJM is a leader in justice and accountability. I'm proud to support their work."
Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton
Rev. Dr. Kylon MiddletonCharleston County Council Chairman
“It’s very refreshing to me that [CAJM] is providing a solution and promoting a solution. And quite frankly, having been an officeholder off and on since 1977, it’s refreshing to me that they want to question me on that.”
Victor Rawl
Victor RawlFormer County Council Member
“I’ve been here 23 years in this area. This is the first time I’ve seen any real result of churches working together across denominational lines. The beneficial, long-term side effect of this movement is it’s bringing the faith community together in a real way.”
Bruce Jayne
Bruce Jayne
“This organization provides parishes with a vehicle to powerfully answer God’s call to do justice by solving serious community problems, as well as to develop lay leadership and build strong relationships among diverse congregations.”
Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone
Reverend Robert E. GuglielmoneFormer Bishop of Charleston
“I know you’re (CAJM) a very powerful organization. You’re a wonderful, powerful advocate in the community.”
Dr. Gerrita Postlewait
Dr. Gerrita PostlewaitFormer Superintendent of Charleston County Schools
"CAJM is the first organization in which the Harvey Gantt Triumph Award has been bestowed since its inception in 1984. This is fitting and timely, as organizations across the country and around the world are becoming increasingly strategic and impactful in confronting injustice, affect positive change, and build understanding among diverse individuals.”
Clay Middleton
Clay MiddletonFormer Charleston Mayoral Candidate
“CAJM's fight for equality and justice is representative of Dr. King's dream and Mr. Gantt's determination.”
LaVanda Brown
LaVanda BrownExecutive Director of Charleston YWCA
“I find CAJM to be the single most effective social and racial justice organization in Charleston. CAJM has proven itself to be both empowering and impactful — together we make meaningful, measurable change happen and that is precisely because we are intentionally both interfaith and cross racial.”
Kat Morgan
Kat MorganFormer CAJM Team Leader
"Seeing the community empowered and working *with* the local government is refreshing!"
Denise Rodriguez, CNA
Denise RodriguezSenior Research Scientist, CNA (conducted Racial Bias Audit of the Charleston Police Department)

CAJM In The News

View More News
2025 Nehemiah Action
Thousands of Charleston-area residents gather under the banner of CAJM to meet with our public officials and secure public commitments to initiate a process to both implement and evaluate the identified best practices.
6:30 PM | May 5, 2025 | Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist
2025 Celebration
Our gathering to celebrate all that we have accomplished during the past justice cycle. We meet for fellowship, recognition, and awards, as well as the kick-off for our investment drive.
6:30 PM | June 2, 2025
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