Haywood Burns Institute

04/15/2025

Probation is the most common court-ordered outcome for youth in California.

But here’s the problem:
❌ There are no statewide guidelines for how long youth should remain on probation.
❌ That means young people can spend years under supervision — with no clear end in sight.

It’s time to create a system that’s fair.

Pass

04/15/2025

🗓SAVE THE DATE!
Applications for our SWB Training Series open up on May 1st.

Mark your calendars!

Wondering what the certificate training consists of?

Check out our previous post to learn more or visit the link in BIO👆🏾

04/14/2025

We are just days away from launching the applications for this year’s SWB Training Series. But before we do– let’s revisit what our training series is!

➡️This series is a 6-session certificate training course based on our Structural Well-Being (SWB) Framework.

❓️What is our SWB Framework?

Our Structural Well-Being Framework is our cross-sector approach designed to achieve structural well-being for all, by moving beyond traditional justice reform and addressing longstanding structural inequities.

❓️Who is this training for?

Individuals:
✅️Committed to racial justice and the well-being of all people

✅️From nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and for-profit sectors committed to advancing change

✅️Ready to embrace informal or formal leadership roles to create equitable opportunities

✅️Looking for collaborative spaces for thought partnership, fellowship, and support in dismantling structural racism

04/11/2025

James was a GIANT. His energy was contagious, and his passion for justice, fairness, and equity is evident in the impact that he had both in the community and within the youth and racial justice sectors.

Let’s take a look at some highlights from the life of James Bell.

04/10/2025

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time.

We appreciate your grace as we continue to navigate this tremendous loss.

– The BI 🤍

04/05/2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our founder, mentor, friend, and brother James Bell.

James dedicated his life to championing the rights of children, families, and communities of color across the globe. His relentless pursuit of justice, fairness, and equity has inspired countless individuals to take action towards a brighter future.

This is a tremendous loss for our BI community and for all those who knew and loved him.

While no one will ever light up a room like James, together, we will carry his legacy forward.

04/05/2025

We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our Founder James Bell.

Over the years, James has poured so much into so many of us and fought relentlessly for justice, fairness, and equity.

We stand tall on his shoulders as we carry his legacy forward to our future of collective well-being.

Join us in wishing him a peaceful transition 🕊

04/05/2025

03/06/2025

Before the day ends, we want to wish our beloved founder James Bell a Happy Birthday!

03/05/2025

Happy Women’s History Month!
Every Wednesday in March, we celebrate sheros of history.

Daisy Bates was a civil rights activist and journalist integral to the Little Rock Integration of 1957. Daisy and her husband published Arkansas State Press, a Black-owned newspaper that publicized desegregation violations to increase the visibility of local civil rights efforts.

Bates involved herself in the school integration organizing and strategy, mentoring the “Little Rock Nine” and offering her own home as refuge for the student organizers.

Her memoir, “The Long Shadow of Little Rock,” won the 1988 National Book Award. In 2002, her home was named a National Historic Landmark.

We thank Daisy Bates for her incredible role in history 🩷

02/28/2025

In the 100 years since the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, generation after generation have honored and reimagined this historic neighborhood—undaunted by persistent challenges.

02/28/2025

As Black History Month ends, let's acknowledge these promising updates about the members of one of our nation’s most notable and resilient Black communities.

02/11/2025

Tomorrow!
BI’s Co-Executive Director, Samantha (Sam) Mellerson, will be the Keynote Speaker at FSCI’s Virtual Coaching Summit.

This summit will provide actionable insights and tools for fostering resilience and growth in young people, as well as creative coaching techniques and more!

Join and hear our Co-E.D. speak about her 20+ years of experience in racial and social justice, education, youth justice, and more.

You don’t want to miss this!

Link in BIO

06/15/2024

Today, the Haywood Burns Institute wants to take a moment to celebrate the birthday of our namesake W. Haywood Burns (1940-1996). From integrating his hometown’s pool at the age of 15 to becoming the first African American dean of a law school in New York, Haywood’s legacy continues to inspire us to believe in the unbelievable, imagine the unimaginable and make the impossible possible. In honor of his life's work, we will continue to seek fairness, justice and equity in all that we do. Happy Birthday Haywood!

05/27/2024

05/12/2024

A dear friend shared this with us, and we want to share with our BI network of sheroes…

You tirelessly juggle the monumental task of motherhood with the relentless pursuit of justice and equality, Happy Mother’s Day. Your unparalleled strength, compassion, and dedication both in the professional realm and within the sanctity of your homes inspire awe and respect. Balancing the demands of parenting with the challenges of advocating for a fairer world is no small feat, yet you do it with grace and unwavering commitment. Today, we honor not just the love and care you give to your families, but also your contribution to creating a more just and equitable society for all our children. May this Mother’s Day remind you of the profound impact you have, both as guardians of your own and as champions for the global family. Here’s to you—the heroes without capes—who nurture, teach, and fight for a better tomorrow. Happy Mother’s Day!

02/06/2024

In celebrating Black History Month, we honor W. Haywood Burns, whose indomitable spirit and commitment to justice echo through the work of the Haywood Burns Institute. His life, dedicated to defending civil liberties and challenging systemic inequality, reshaped the legal landscape.

As we remember his work from grassroots activism to significant national impact, we're reminded of the powerful legacy he left—one that promotes justice, fairness, and equity as core values in our society. His name and spirit guide our mission, inspiring us to continue our work to dismantle structural racism and spark transformational change in our communities . 🕊️

Dive deeper into his story and the fight against mass incarceration featured by the Vera Institute of Justice:

Photo credits: W Haywood Burns image: National Lawyers Guild, Jane Bolin: Library of Congress, Bruce M Wright: African American Registry, Eddie Ellis: Center for NuLeadership on Human Justice and Healing, and Kenneth Thompson: Associated Press. Illustration by Gloria Mendoza. These Black leaders…