External Programs
The Center for Law  and Social Justice
Esmeralda Simmons, Director
tel. 718.270.6290

MEC Centers home

The Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ) is a community based education, research, and legal organization. It provides quality advocacy, training and expert legal services in a personal manner to people of African descent and the disenfranchised.

The Center for Law and Social Justice's vision is to be a resource for the liberation of African people in order to achieve a world that will equally distribute societies and natures wealth to everyone, such that they are able to realize their highest creative potential and enjoy their cultural, economic, political, and social rights.

To these ends, CLSJ sponsors projects and litigation in areas as diverse as:

• Civil rights/human rights and legislation

• Legal research

• Child welfare/foster care

• Police and racial violence

• Economic and social science research

• Community law education

• Program development

• Policy analysis

• Internship training

CLSJ is a focal point for progressive activity because of its unique combination of research, public policy advocacy and litigation from a community-based perspective. CLSJ current advocacy projects include the Parent Advocacy Center, the Child Welfare Center and the Police and Racial Violence Project.

Fee for Service Specialties:

• Parent Organizing/Advocacy Training
• School Leadership Team Training
• Legal Education/Research
• Program Development
• Mediation Training

The Parent Advocacy Center works to improve parent involvement in the New York City public schools. The Center is especially proud of its track record, which demonstrates extensive experience in training and involvement with a broad spectrum of parents from differing economic, cultural and racial groups.

The Child Welfare Center, a joint project of Center for Law and Social Justice and the Child Welfare Fund, is dedicated to strengthening reform efforts that will focus New York City’s child welfare system on preserving families while protecting the safety and well-being of children.

The Police and Racial Violence Project provides legal counseling and referrals to victims of police and racial violence.

CLSJ also publishes a journal, the Journal of Community Advocacy and Activism; a newsletter, Center News and “Know Your Rights,” a pamphlet on your rights if you are stopped or arrested by the police.

STAFF

• Esmeralda Simmons, Esq. Executive Director
• Gwen Riddick, Deputy Director
• Joan Gibbs, Esq. General Counsel
• Lateefah (Ruth) Carter, Project Associate
• Dottie Conway, Project Director, Child Welfare Action Center
• Sam Anderson, Ph.D, Education Director
• Aama Nahuja, Esq. Associate Counsel

For further information about the Center for Law and Social Justice, write or call us at the following address:

Esmeralda Simmons, Esq., Director
Center for Law and Social Justice
Medgar Evers College
1150 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, New York 11225
Phone: (718) 270-6297
Fax: (718) 270-6190