Racial justice and economic equity are essential to a thriving and inclusive society. However, access to economic opportunities and fair treatment under the law remains out of reach for many individuals and communities across the United States. This has led to the rise of organizations and individuals who work tirelessly to promote and advocate for these causes, including Amanda Alexander, the founding Executive Director of the Detroit Justice Center.

At the Detroit Economic and Social Justice Center, Amanda Alexander and her team are working towards creating economic opportunities, transforming the justice system, and promoting equitable and just cities. The center was founded on the belief that mass incarceration is an impediment to building cities that work for everyone and, thus, requires innovative ways of community lawyering to remedy the impacts of this phenomenon.

The Detroit Justice Center uses a three-pronged approach, “defense, offense, and dreaming,” to serve individual clients, build power, and catalyze systemic solutions. Through its Legal Services Practice, the center helps clients remain out of jail, hold onto jobs and stable housing, and keep their families intact. The center also houses a unique program of three Community Legal Advocates who assist Detroiters with property tax assessment appeals, creating LLCs, and record expungement.

Amanda Alexander’s experience in racial justice and community development spans more than two decades. She has worked at the intersection of racial justice and community development in Detroit, New York, and South Africa. She is a racial justice lawyer and historian who works alongside community-based movements to end mass incarceration and build thriving and inclusive cities.

Furthermore, Amanda Alexander serves on the Center for Constitutional Rights boards, the James and Grace Lee Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership, and the Prison Policy Initiative. Her work in these organizations highlights her commitment to creating a more equitable and just society.

Amanda Alexander’s work at the Detroit Justice Center is a testament to her unwavering commitment to promoting racial justice and economic equity. Her efforts are critical to creating a society that works for everyone, and her dedication to serving the community inspires many. The Detroit Justice Center and its programs, including the Metro Detroit Restorative Justice Network, serve as valuable resources for those seeking to address the challenges of mass incarceration and promote a more equitable and just society.