Celebrate 39 Years of Justice with the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College

“A lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society.”

Charles Hamilton Houston, Esq.

This #GivingTuesday, as our nation again stands at a critical crossroads, we invite you to join the Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ) at Medgar Evers College as we kickoff a new milestone initiative: the Esmeralda Simmons Pre-Law Preparatory Program. This program represents the future of CLSJ’s mission: building a pipeline of diverse legal advocates who will protect, defend, and advance the rights of our communities for decades to come.

For 39 years, CLSJ has been a beacon of justice and equity, standing firm through shifting political, racial, and social landscapes. As we step into a new era of advocacy, your Giving Tuesday support will directly uplift the next generation of attorneys committed to civil rights and community empowerment.

Why Your Support Matters Now More Than Ever: Now, more than ever, we urgently need legal practitioners who understand our history, our communities and are prepared to fight for them. Naturally, the Esmeralda Simmons Pre-Law Preparatory Program will provide aspiring legal advocates with LSAT preparation, mentorship, legal writing training, and exposure to movement-centered lawyering. However, it will also ensure that students are prepared to tap into the legacy of civil rights giants and social engineers like Charles Hamilton Houston, Pauli Murray, Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley. This work is necessary to help design the legal framework for the next round of civil rights advocacy.

Empowering the Next Generation of Legal Leaders: Your donation helps us equip students with the tools, access, and support historically denied to many first-generation and underrepresented law students. By expanding opportunity and removing financial barriers, we are cultivating attorneys who will continue the legacy of CLSJ’s founder, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq.

Sustaining CLSJ’s Impact Across Our Communities: From voter protection to civics education, from advocacy campaigns to legal representation, CLSJ remains steadfast in serving and empowering our communities. Strengthening our legal pipeline ensures that this work continues for generations.

A Legacy of Justice, A Future of Legal Excellence

As we honor 39 years of advocacy, we also look ahead with hope, determination, and bold vision. With your Giving Tuesday support, we can launch this landmark program and continue empowering our communities with the legal champions they deserve.

Join Us by Donating in Celebration of Our 39th Year!

To mark this milestone, we invite you to contribute at a level inspired by 39 years of impact:

$39 – Provides legal resources and outreach materials for prospective students.

$139 – Supports academic and LSAT prep tools for program participants.

$390 – Covers stipends for student workshops and mentorship sessions.

$1,390 – Funds legal research, writing training, and community-based advocacy modules.

$3,900 – Supports program staffing and cohort coordination.

$13,900 – Helps expand the program’s capacity to serve more aspiring law students.

$39,000 – Sustains key components of the Pre-Law Program for an entire cohort.

$390,000 – Supports CLSJ’s overall legal advocacy, civic engagement, and educational programs.

$3,900,000 – Establishes a long-term endowment to secure CLSJ’s future and ensure a lasting pipeline of community-centered legal advocates.

Every donation—large or small—helps us build and sustain a movement of young legal minds ready to pursue justice.

Here’s How You Can Make a Difference:

Donate Now: Choose a giving level and directly support the launch of the Esmeralda Simmons Pre-Law Preparatory Program.

Share the Message: Spread the word to your network. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join us this #GivingTuesday.

Get Involved: Volunteer, partner, mentor, or attend a CLSJ event. Together, we can cultivate the next generation of justice-minded attorneys.

The next 39 years begin with us. Let’s launch the Esmeralda Simmons Pre-Law Preparatory Program together. Let’s continue fighting for justice, expanding opportunity, and empowering our communities.

Give today. Celebrate 39 years of justice. Build the next generation of legal advocates.

#GivingTuesday #CLSJ39 #EsmeraldaSimmonsProgram #JusticeForAll #CommunityEmpowerment #FutureLawyers

Giving Tuesday: Donate to CLSJ Today!

By IMNYC for Center for Law and Social Justice

Giving Tuesday: Donate to CLSJ Today!

Help launch the Esmeralda Simmons Pre Law Preparatory Program