System Transformation

Community change requires both individual and systems transformation. Justified Anger is an initiative of Nehemiah that cultivates innovative Black and non-black leaders through culturally grounded programs, dynamic educational experiences and collaborative partnerships that lead to transformational relationships, equitable systems and just solutions.

WATCH THE

Ten years ago, Dr. Gee wrote the Justified Anger article that catalyzed Nehemiah’s work to change the systems that hold racism and inequities in our society in place. On December 5th we gathered together with Nehemiah leadership, staff and the bedrock of our ability to do this work – our supporters. 

The Justified Anger kickoff event featured music, food, friends, stories of community transformation, and the introduction of the Nehemiah Heartbeat Society! We will also announce more events to come in 2025!

Here’s an advance peek at what we have coming up in 2025 and beyond:

– The next installment of our History series – piloted in 2024, course in 2025
– A self-paced option for our Black History for a New Day course
– A virtual Cross-cultural Leadership Development series – 1st session in 2025

In recognition of Black History Month and Justified Anger’s 10 Years of System Transformation, Nehemiah is presenting a special evening for the Black and non-Black community to come together and explore why our shared American history matters so much.

We are excited to invite you to an opportunity to hear Dr. Christy Clark-Pujara speak on the importance of including Black history in our understanding of American history and her personal journey of being a lecturer with the Black History for a New Day Course. Dr. Clark-Pujara is the Chair and a Professor of History in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She will bring an academic and personal perspective to the conversation, speaking as a public historian and advocate for the power of historical perspective.

Following the conversation between Dr. Clark-Pujara and Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, founder of Nehemiah and the Justified Anger initiative, you are also invited to stay for an interactive Talkback Discussion with Nehemiah staff and allies that digs into the impact of educating and empowering toward racial justice. This follow-up time will be an opportunity to hear real-talk about the history education debate as well as connect with others who are seeking a better understanding of current racial issues.

Educational Experiences

2025 Spring Black History for a New Day

Course Dates: February – May 

What’s The Purpose

Our purpose is to understand how the African-American experience has shaped the world we all live in, and how allies can find roles supporting racial justice today. Rooting ourselves in our history, and understanding how we got here, will help us move forward together to make a better world and a stronger local community.

What’s involved

– 9 Week Course

– Weekly Lecture + Group Discussion

– 2 Weekly Consecutive Hours

– Minimum 5 people per group

– Bonus 3 Week Next Steps Sessions

2025 Justified Anger Leadership Institute

Course Dates: Fall 2025

A program designed to prepare and connect emerging African American leaders.

Through this cohort structure, limited to 15 participants, it is envisioned that the capacity to carry out the goals and objectives of the Justified Anger “Our Madison Plan” will be built and implemented by transforming the face of leadership in our community and equipping African American leaders with the distinct tools needed to lead change in our Madison, in this current moment.

Participants work together to develop and implement projects they believe will address a collectively identified community issue that is aligned with Our Madison Plan.

Innovative Research

The Impact of The Black History for a New Day Course: Ripple Effects Report

The UW-Madison Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies conducted an evaluation of the Black History for a New Day course, focusing on impacts on past participants and the "ripple" effects of this for organizations and more broadly.

Justified Anger: Impact of the Work

In 2018, Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) provided evaluation support to Justified Anger to learn about and document the impact of Dr. Reverend Gee’s initial Capital Times article from December 2013 and Justified Anger’s subsequent work, particularly the African American history class, Black History for a New Day – Allies for a Stronger Madison.

Resources to Support Black Proto-Business Development

Nehemiah partnered with the Community and Environmental Sociology Fall 2021 Capstone Course to develop a report and resources in order better support Black people developing toward entrepreneurial businesses. This report can be used to build a program to support the development and sustainability of proto-businesses that could then be grown into entrepreneurial businesses.

18 by 6: Restricted Defendant Participation in Dane County Court Hearings

Justified Anger Court Observers have been watching court hearings where individuals accused of crimes attend their court hearings via Zoom by looking through the 18” x 6” food slots of their segregated jail cells. This report summarizes observation and advocacy efforts to date to end this inhumane practice

In The News

Our Madison Plan

Wisconsin routinely ranks as the worst state in the nation for social, economic, educational, and health disparities among African American children and families. Existing efforts to address these disparities are fragmented and do not adequately serve African American children or adults. In 2015, Nehemiah united area leaders to discuss a shared vision for addressing the unmet needs of Greater Madison’s Black community.

The plan’s goal is the implementation of a long-term strategy for improving the lives of African Americans in Madison, expanding the availability of resources, and repairing the state’s damaged image as unfriendly for people of color.

Executive Summary:

https://nehemiah.org/wp-content/uploads/JA-Executive-Summary-052915.pdf

Full Plan:

https://nehemiah.org/wp-content/uploads/JA-Our-Madison-Plan-052915.pdf

Be an Agent of Change