For the 2024-2025 academic year, five Social Justice Innovation Initiative projects were funded.
Aging Rainbow Coalition LGBTQ+ Outreach & Training Initiative
Awardees: Dr. Lizzie Bowland, UTK, Co-Chair, Aging Rainbow Coalition (ARC); Dr. Jennifer Smith, College of Nursing, UTK; Ms. Namrata Mukherjee, UTK, PhD Doctoral Candidate; Dr. Joseph Winberry, Chair of ARC, UNC; Jason Davis, UTK, administrative support
Amount Requested: $10,000
Activity Start/End Dates: November 2024 – May 2025
Overall goal: To increase active engagement of the older LGBTQ+ community in health and social activities, and to expand provider/student (nursing, social work & communication/information) cultural competency, and support for older LGBTQ+ persons in Knoxville and in rural areas of Tennessee.
The Allyship Immersive Experience- “Bridging Gaps: Cultivating Inclusion through Effective Allyship Strategies and Enhanced Understanding”
Awardees: Kamil Portis, Barbara Rivas, Judi Allen, Jazmine Kelley, Alexius Brunson, Tonyea Pruitt
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary Gitau, College of Social Work, University of Tennessee
Amount Requested: $10,000
Activity Start/End Dates: February 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025.
Overall goal: This project aims to advance cultural diversity and inclusivity within the University of Tennessee-Knoxville community by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to become effective allies. Through immersive experiences, including workshops and eLearning modules, we aim to foster understanding and engagement with diverse perspectives. Ultimately, we seek to create a more supportive and equitable environment for marginalized groups on and off campus.
Connecting Across Disciplines: A Conference for Access and Advocacy for Mental Health in East Tennessee
Awardees: Alexander Magnuson, S’Kaila Colbert, Caterina Obenauf, and Hannah Shinew
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kristen Ravi, College of Social Work, University of Tennessee
Amount Requested: $10,000
Activity Start/End Dates: August 2024 – May 2025
Overall goal: Increase knowledge and foster discussions and collaborations about eliminating inequities and barriers to mental health access and increasing advocacy efforts across disciplines and organizations within the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee community.
Empowering Youth
Awardee: Austin Ebert
Faulty Advisor: Dr. Amy Shipp, College of Social Work, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Partners: Emily Norris, manager of Empower Knox; Mayor’s Youth Council, a program of Empower Knox
Amount Requested: $5,000
Activity Start/End Dates: February 2025 – April 2025
Overall Goal: To educate youth on the causes surrounding homelessness, and the resources available to them which prevent homelessness, and can help pull people out of homelessness as well. This will lead to sessions in which legislative change will be discussed, drafted, and proposed to create change within the Knoxville community.
Somatic Healing Practices Workshop Series
Awardees: Dr. Patricia Bamwine, Kristin Pearson, LCSW, Adrian Waller
Amount Requested: $8500
Activity Start/End Dates: February 2025 – May 2025
Overall Goal: Create accessible, culturally responsive spaces where students, faculty, staff, and alumni can engage in somatic healing practices.