• Marissa Alexander
• Black Lives Matter Movement
• Rekia Boyd
• Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander
• Chicago Freedom School
• Chicago (Ill.). Police Department
• Chicago Taskforce on Violence Against Girls and Young Women
• Defund Police
• Emanuel, Rahm, 1959-
• Family violence
• Girl Talk
• Imprisonment
• Intimate partner violence
• Juvenile corrections
• Kaba, Mariame
• Police brutality--United States -- Chicago
• Prison abolition movements
• Prison-industrial complex
• Project NIA
• Restorative justice
• Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team
  
• #SayHerName
• Transformative Justice
• We Charge Genocide
• Women’s health services

Related Collections

Women and Girls Collective Action Network (WGCAN)

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1989-2016

Scope and Contents

Mariame Kaba worked as a community organizer, speaker, and educator in Chicago from 1995 until she returned to her hometown of New York City in 2016. Series 1 includes her awards, the community events and conferences she attended or helped to organize, meeting records, research, publications, speaking engagements and writings. This series also includes her 1994 master’s thesis,The Significance of Hair in the African-American Community in Box 3, Folder 3.

Arrangement

Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by subject or type of activity.

Series 2: Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), 2013-2016

Biographical/Historical

Marissa Alexander, a Black woman who was a victim of domestic violence, was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when attempting to defend herself from her abuser in May 2012. In September 2013, Kaba’s Project NIA held a teach-in about Alexander’s case and several of the attendees of that teach-in subsequently launched the Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA). CAFMA was a volunteer-run grassroots effort to raise awareness and funds to support Alexander’s legal defense. In 2015, Marissa Alexander took a plea deal, and was ultimately released from confinement a few years later. After Alexander’s plea deal, CAFMA transitioned to another organization called Love & Protect. The mission of Love & Protect is to support women and gender non-conforming/non-binary people of color who are criminalized or harmed by state and interpersonal violence.

Scope and Contents

Series 2 includes administrative files, photographs, research and zines related to advocacy for Marisa Alexander, domestic violence and the criminal justice system.

Arrangement

Series 2 is organized into 4 subseries:

• Subseries A: Administrative Files, 2013-2015
• Subseries B: Events and Programs, 2013-2016
• Subseries C: Promotional Materials and Zines, 2013-2015
• Subseries D: Photographs, 2013-2015

Subseries A: Administrative Files, 2013-2015

Scope and Contents

Subseries A contains meeting agendas, meeting minutes, meeting attendance rosters and press releases. Subseries A contains electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically.

Series 2: Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), 2013-2016

Subseries B: Events and Programs, 2013-2016

Scope and Contents

Subseries B contains information sheets, flyers and pamphlets that detail some of the programs and events associated with CAFMA. This subseries also contains programs and marketing materials for an exhibit co-organized by CAFMA titled, No Selves to Defend. Subseries B contains physical and electronic files. Photographs for the exhibit can be found in Subseries D.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically action name.

Series 2: Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), 2013-2016

Subseries C: Promotional Materials and Zines, 2013-2015

Scope and Contents

Subseries C contains visual artwork made in support of Alexander including a banner, patches, buttons, a t-shirt, and zines. The subseries also contains promotional materials used by CAFMA. Subseries C contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries C is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 2: Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), 2013-2016

Subseries D: Photographs, 2013-2015

Scope and Contents

Subseries D contains born digital photographs of various CAFMA events including potlucks, teach-ins, fundraisers and exhibitions. Subseries D contains physical and electronic files. The bulk of the photographs were taken by Sarah-Ji.

Arrangement

Subseries D is arranged alphabetically by action or event.

Series 3: Chicago Freedom School (CFS), 1991-2016, undated

Biographical/Historical

Founded in 2007, the mission of the Chicago Freedom School (CFS) is to create new generations of critical and independent-thinking young people through training, educational, and leadership opportunities. The original freedom schools that operated in Mississippi in the 1960s inspired the formation and planning of the Chicago Freedom School.

Scope and Contents

Series 3 includes administrative and planning materials, curriculums, photographs and research related to the creation of Chicago Freedom School and its programs.

Arrangement

Series 3 is organized into 3 subseries:

• Subseries A: Administrative Files, 1991-2014
• Subseries B: Curriculums and Programs, 2004-2016
• Subseries C: Artifacts, Audiovisual Materials and Photographs, 2006-2014, undated

Subseries A: Administrative Files, 1991-2014

Scope and Contents

Subseries A contains director’s files, research files, grant proposals, general administrative information, and financial records. Subseries A contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 3: Chicago Freedom School (CFS), 1991-2016, undated

Subseries B: Curriculums and Programs, 2004-2016

Scope and Contents

Subseries B contains materials from programs and events held by Chicago Freedom School (CFS) as well as curriculum, training, and workshop materials used by CFS personnel. Subseries B contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by program name or topic.

Series 3: Chicago Freedom School (CFS), 1991-2016, undated

Subseries C: Artifacts, Audiovisual Materials and Photographs, 2006-2014, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries C contains photographs from various events, including programs, fundraisers, and celebrations. The subseries also contains small number of physical photographs. The subseries also includes audiovisual materials and photographs in electronic format as well as ephemera related to CFS. Subseries C contains physical and electronic files. Sarah-Ji and Warren Frank took the bulk of the photographs.

Arrangement

Subseries C is arranged alphabetically.

Series 4: Chicago Taskforce on Violence Against Girls and Young Women (Taskforce), 1989-2012

Biographical/Historical

Founded in 2009, the Taskforce worked with a coalition of diverse organizations to develop approaches to ending violence against girls and young women through public policy, education, and media advocacy.

Scope and Contents

Series 4 contains planning and administrative files, research files, roundtable information, and documentation related to the Center for Emerging Leadership, a project dedicated to the development of youth-led and intergenerational progressive social justice project and organizations.

Arrangement

Series 4 is arranged alphabetically by name or topic.

Series 5: Girl Talk, 2001-2006, undated

Biographical/Historical

Girl Talk began in 1993 as a volunteer collaboration between the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University School of Law and the Chicago Women’s Health Center. Girl Talk was a volunteer-supported program for girls, ages 12-17, who were detained in the Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention Center (JTDC). Girl Talk began as an 8-week pilot program and quickly grew into a weekly, year-round program. In 2003, the program was extended to alternative schools with at-risk young people, including the Healy School, a Chicago Public School specifically targeted to formerly incarcerated students. Girl Talk ended in 2005.

Scope and Contents

Series 5 includes grant proposals and financial reports, and materials from programs and events held by Girl Talk. Efforts were made to revive Girl Talk in 2010-2011. Kaba filed the later Girl Talk files with Project NIA and these can be found in Subseries B: Affiliated Organizations and Initiatives.

Arrangement

Series 5 is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Biographical/Historical

Mariame Kaba founded Project NIA in 2009 with the goal of ending youth incarceration through transformative justice. In Swahili, “nia” means “with purpose,” and the purpose of this grassroots organization is to end the arrest, detention, and incarceration of children and young adults by promoting restorative and transformative justice practices. Project NIA participated in and held a wide array of action, events and workshops focused on police and prison abolition, and the end of all forms of carceral violence.

While based in Chicago, Project NIA served as a catalyst and incubator for programs that addressed juvenile justice issues by helping local activists, building their leadership skills and influencing policy. Initiatives included the Gale Peace Room, Circles and Ciphers, Families in Touch and Liberation Library. The organization moved to New York City in 2016 once Kaba relocated there.

Scope and Contents

Series 6 contains administrative files, curriculums, photographs, reports, research and zines related to multiple workshops and projects including Gale Peace Room, Circles and Ciphers, Families in Touch and Liberation Library.

Please note that Project NIA often collaborated with the Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team and We Charge Genocide. More information can be found on these organizations in Series 7 and Series 8, respectively. A 2010-2011 revival of Series 5: Girl Talk joins the initiatives in Subseries B.

Arrangement

Project NIA is organized into 6 subseries:

• Subseries A: Administrative Files, 1999-circa 2016, undated
• Subseries B: Affiliated Organizations and Initiatives, 2009-2015
• Subseries C: Curriculums and Workshops, 2009-2015
• Subseries D: Campaigns and Events, 2009-2016
• Subseries E: Exhibitions and Zines, 2008-2016, undated
• Subseries F: Audiovisual Materials and Photographs, 2008-2016, undated

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries A: Administrative Files, 1999-circa 2016, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries A includes Project NIA administrative records, reports, grant proposals and financial records. Subseries A contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries B: Affiliated Organizations and Initiatives, 2009-2015

Scope and Contents

Subseries B contains organizational materials about several initiatives incubated by Project NIA including Liberations Library, Circles and Ciphers, Families in Touch, the Chicago Peace Room and the revived version of Girl Talk. Subseries B contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by affiliated organization or initiative.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries C: Curriculums and Workshops, 2009-2015

Scope and Contents

Subseries C includes programs, agendas and curriculum used or authored by Project NIA or one of their affiliated organizations. This subseries also contains materials about conferences and workshops at which Project NIA personnel presented or attended. Subseries C contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries C is arranged alphabetically by presentation.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries D: Campaigns and Events, 2009-2016, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries D contains posters, flyers and ephemera connected to various actions, campaigns and events sponsored or co-sponsored by Project NIA. Subseries D contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries D is arranged alphabetically by type of activity.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries E: Exhibitions and Zines, 2008-2016, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries E contains artwork as well as flyers, postcards and press about several exhibitions Project NIA curated or co-curated. The subseries also includes zines produced or used by Project NIA. Subseries E contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries E is arranged alphabetically by project title with the zines arranged alphabetically at the end.

Series 6: Project NIA, 1999-2016, undated

Subseries F: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 2008-2016, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries F contains photographs of exhibitions, programs and events held or co-sponsored by Project NIA. The subseries also includes audiovisual materials associated with Project NIA. Subseries F contains electronic files. Sarah-Ji took the bulk of the photographs.

Arrangement

Subseries F is arranged alphabetically by action or event.

Series 7: Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team (YWAT), 1995-2013, undated

Biographical/Historical

The Rogers Park Young Women Action Team (YWAT) was a youth-led, adult-supported social change project that empowered young women to take action on issues such as street harassment and violence against women. YWAT was founded in 2003 and launched several campaigns including Stop Street Harassment, Engaging Young Men as Allies and Girls for Safe Transit. YWAT disbanded in 2011.

Scope and Contents

Series 7 contains administrative files, reports and research related to their workshops and initiatives, including Stop Street Harassment, Engaging Young Men as Allies and Girls for Safe Transit

Arrangement

Series 7 is organized into 5 subseries:

• Subseries A: Administrative Files, 2003-2013, undated
• Subseries B: Reports and Research, 1995-2012, undated
• Subseries C: Education, 2003-2010, undated
• Subseries D: Campaigns and Events, 2003-2012
• Subseries E: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 1998-2011, undated

Subseries A: Administrative Files, 2003-2013, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries A contains grant proposals, financial records and meeting agendas and minutes and various administrative materials. Subseries A contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 7: Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team (RP YWAT), 1995-2013, undated

Subseries B: Reports and Research, 1995-2012, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries B includes reports based on research conducted by YWAT members as well as the resource files used by the organization. Subseries B contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 7: Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team (YWAT), 1995-2013, undated

Subseries C: Education, 2003-2010, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries C contains programs, packets, flyers and postcards related to conference, workshops and trainings attended by or coordinated by YWAT members. Subseries C contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries C is arranged alphabetically by title or event.

Series 7: Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team (RP YWAT), 1995-2013, undated

Subseries D: Campaigns and Events, 2003-2012

Scope and Contents

Subseries D contains documentation related to campaigns and events held or attended by YWAT members. This subseries contains information about YWAT’s Stop Street Harassment campaign, which received national press coverage. Subseries D contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries D is arranged alphabetically by title or activity.

Series 7: Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team (RP YWAT), 1995-2013, undated

Subseries E: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 1998-2011, undated

Scope and Contents

Subseries E includes physical and electronic audiovisual materials and photographs of YWAT events and campaigns. Subseries E contains physical and electronic files.

Arrangement

Subseries E is arranged alphabetically by title or organization.

Series 8: We Charge Genocide (WCG), 2013-2016

Biographical/Historical

We Charge Genocide (WCG), which launched in 2014, was an inter-generational group of Chicago residents whose goal was to uplift the voices of those most effected by police violence in Chicago. The group took their name from the original We Charge Genocide petition filed to the United Nations in 1951. In November 2014, a delegation of young Chicagoans in WCG went to Geneva, Switzerland to present their report on the Chicago Police Department to the United Nations.

Scope and Contents

Series 8 includes several Chicago campaigns and grassroots actions by We Charge Genocide including #ChiStops, a campaign against racial profiling by the police and #ChiCopWatch, a team that responded to police shootings by documenting them as well as connecting families and loved ones affected with resources. We Charge Genocide, along with Project NIA and several other organizations, was active in the Reparations NOW campaign, a fight to gain reparations for the people tortured by Chicago Police Commander, Jon Burge. The organization disbanded in 2016.

Series 8 includes artwork, meeting minutes, flyers, program, and electronic photographs.

Arrangement

Series 8 is organized into 2 subseries:

• Subseries A: Documents, 2013-2016
• Subseries B: Photographs, 2014-2016

Subseries A: Documents and Artifacts, 2013-2015

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by topic or name.

Series 8: We Charge Genocide, 2013-2016

Subseries B: Photographs, 2014-2016

Scope and Contents

Subseries B includes photographs that document the #ChiStops initiatives, the Geneva Delegation, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s budget proposals actions and other events. Subseries B contains electronic files. Sarah-Ji took the bulk of the photographs.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by event.

Series 9: Social Justice Projects, 2012-2016

Scope and Contents

The Social Justice series documents a variety of grassroots actions and campaigns in Chicago that Kaba co-organized or attended. Series 9 documents the Movement for Black Lives, better known as Black Lives Matter. The actions range from an Assanta Shakur teach-in to messages in support of Trayvon Martin to a vigil for Sandra Bland and Laquan McDonald, victims of neighborhood watch and police shootings. The series contains variety of materials such as flyers, artwork, buttons and t-shirts, and a large number of born-digital photographs. The series also contains photos from the Mariame Taught Me project, an outpouring of admiration and love for Kaba’s contribution to the Chicago organizing community created prior to her departure for New York.

Arrangement

Series 9 is organized into 2 subseries:

• Subseries A: Documents and Artifacts, 2014-2016
• Subseries B: Photographs, 2012-2016

Subseries A: Documents and Artifacts, 2014-2016

Arrangement

Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by subject or name, and then chronologically within subject or name.

Series 9: Social Justice Projects, 2012-2016

Subseries B: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 2012-2016

Scope and Contents

Subseries B contains electronic files. The bulk of the photographs were taken by Sarah-Ji.

Arrangement

Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by action or event.