amplify justice.
amplifying unheard voices.
Program of Liberation Collective
...And the Education Justice Project.
AAJ.
about amplify justice.
Our Mission at Amplify JusticeFounded in early 2024 by Ashana Bigard, Amplify Justice is dedicated to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment that honors diverse expertise and perspectives. We empower impacted community members to become decision-makers, operating from positions of strength and influence.We envision a community where storytelling plays a pivotal role in transforming dominant narratives, paving the way for innovative policy ideas and programs that we create together. To support this vision, we offer training and technical assistance to families, community members, and advocates, enabling them to effectively share their stories and amplify their lived experiences across various media platforms.Our program consists of two key components: Multimedia Rapid Response and Community Narratives. In the Multimedia Rapid Response initiative, we will recruit and train a minimum of seven students as Multimedia Rapid Responders from organizations including Net Charter School, Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Voices of the Experienced (VOTE), and Black Man Rising.
Trainings will include:
● Crafting narratives for media
● Effective storytelling
● Critical & consistent messaging
● How to make an effective video story on your phone
We plan to make at least three training opportunities open to the public.
After the training, we will assemble a Rapid Response Team based on availability, skill, interest
and impact. As funds are available, stipends will be provided to work on media
family/community preparation and training following instances where Amplifying Justice would be needed.
...
In addition to the Rapid Response teams, we will work to construct accurate Community
Narratives by providing consistent storytelling directly from the voices of our community
members.Narratives help facilitate every facet of justice and access to resources for our
communities. For instance it is in the story of how medical racism is creating single fathers of
Black men via disproportionate maternal death rate.This is a narrative that we have only
recently come to understand because Black men have been encouraged to share that story.Finally, we will utilize social media to establish a social media presence via podcasts, YouTube,
and Instagram.
This will involve:● 6 months of media training and planning
● 6 months of biweekly podcast recording (9-12 total)
● A weekly Social Medial Post and Virtual Community Engagement
AB.
who is ashana bigard?
The founder of Amplify Justice, A multimedia storyteller and advocate with over 20 years of experience, Ashana Bigard has a wide range of expertiseExperience highlighting injustices within communities. Several of her articles have appeared in reputable publications there are many, such as The Atlantic and Progressive.org.Ashana also has a strong understanding and respect for community knowledge in addition to her organizational and consulting skills, and media creation. She has helped educators, policy makers, and program creators create full bodied solutions while simultaneously making space for community members to address the day to day impacts of systemic oppression.Ashana is a fifth generation New Orleannian and a lifelong resident of Crescent City. Along with being a proud mother of three, and a tireless advocate for equity and social justice, especially in her work advocating for children and families in New Orleans and Louisiana, it's common knowledge that Ashana is passionate about her work, doing whatever she can to make an impact on her community for future generations.
