Austin Justice Coalition
About Austin Justice Coalition
Austin Justice Coalition is one of those groups where the work feels immediate because it is. In Austin, it helps eligible incarcerated people register to vote, connects residents to justice-oriented attorneys, trains emerging advocates, and creates community spaces that center Black men, Black art, and Black-owned businesses. If you want to support racial equity that shows up in policy, legal help, and everyday community life, this is the kind of organization that does that work on the ground.
What sets Austin Justice Coalition apart is the way it holds policy advocacy and direct community support in the same frame, all through a Black-led racial justice lens. It is not just pushing for change at the level of ideas, it is also helping people access the ballot, legal guidance, leadership training, and crisis support in real time.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Project Orange
A voting rights initiative that helps eligible incarcerated individuals in Travis County Jail exercise their right to vote with education, resources, and access to the ballot.
Justice Access Support Initiative (JASI)
A legal access program that connects people with justice-oriented attorneys and provides guidance, representation, and rights education for housing disputes, criminal cases, civil rights violations, and other legal challenges.
Radical Advocates Academy
A paid training program for aspiring advocates that builds skills in organizing, public speaking, and managing policy campaigns.
Bro Brunch
A community gathering for Black men in Austin and nearby areas centered on connection, mental health, mentorship, masculinity, and identity.
Black Art Matters
An annual art show and fundraiser that showcases Black artists, musicians, chefs, and vendors.
Black Food Month
A month-long campaign that promotes Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Austin and encourages the community to eat, share, and support them.
Housing & Mobility Justice
Advocacy focused on safe, dignified, and equitable housing, anti-displacement policy, public transit, bike infrastructure, and related housing and mobility issues.
Building Austin School Systems (BASS)
A community-powered effort to create police-free, equitable learning environments and advocate for BIPOC students, families, and staff.
Economic Justice
A campaign and planning effort focused on restorative investment, equitable economic opportunity, and community-centered public budgeting.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Austin Justice Coalition is a Black-led organization that elevates lived experience, builds leadership, organizes, and mobilizes people to fight racist systems through a Black abolitionist lens. It educates, organizes, and empowers communities in Austin to build racial equity and dismantle systems of oppression through advocacy, policy change, and community programs.
Who they serve
Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other marginalized people in Austin, especially people historically impacted by over-policing, gentrification, segregation, housing barriers, and limited educational and employment opportunities.
Their impact
- Distributed 384 voter registration forms through Project Orange in 2024, resulting in 334 completed registrations.
- Connected four community members to attorneys who provided discounted legal services through JASI in 2024.
- Trained 20 emerging community leaders through two online Radical Advocates Academy cohorts in 2024.
- Hosted two Bro Brunch gatherings that engaged over 200 Black men and boys in 2024.
- Provided $34,466 in direct crisis relief to 26 individuals in 2024.
How your donation helps
- Mutual aid and crisis relief
- Legal services through JASI
- Voting access work through Project Orange
- Leadership training through Radical Advocates Academy
- Cultural programming and events such as Black Art Matters and Black Food Month
Our story
Austin Justice Coalition was founded in 2015, during a period when Austin had the highest per capita rate of police shootings in Texas. The organization later launched the Better Before More campaign in response to the Austin Police Department's request for $13 million to hire more officers.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Austin Justice Coalition’s services.
People seeking legal support can connect through JASI, which links individuals with justice-oriented attorneys and provides guidance, representation, and rights education for housing disputes, criminal cases, civil rights violations, and other legal challenges. Eligible incarcerated individuals in Travis County Jail can participate in Project Orange for voting access and related education and resources.
In their words
We understand that change comes in many forms, and we are strong proponents of coalition building.
Democracy works best when every voice is heard, every vote counts, and every community is empowered to lead.
Events
Black Art Matters
annualAnnual art show and fundraiser that brings together Black artists, musicians, chefs, and vendors.
Black Food Month
month-longMonth-long celebration of Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Austin.
Bro Brunch
recurringCommunity gatherings for Black men focused on support, conversation, and connection.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Austin Justice Coalition has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Community outreach and advocacy
- Event support and logistics
- Skills-based volunteering in social media
- Skills-based volunteering in graphic design
- Skills-based volunteering in research
- Skills-based volunteering in organizing
- Administrative help
Recognition & press
In the media
- Austin Chronicle, on Repro Power taking a proactive path in the reproductive justice fight
- Austin Chronicle, on council members backing an abortion support budget measure
- Austin Chronicle, on the city council redirecting APD funds to abortion support access
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Austin Justice Coalition from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of legal issues can JASI help with?
JASI connects people with justice-oriented attorneys for housing disputes, criminal cases, civil rights violations, and other legal challenges.
Who can take part in Project Orange?
Project Orange serves eligible incarcerated individuals in Travis County Jail who remain able to vote.
What does Radical Advocates Academy do?
Radical Advocates Academy trains aspiring advocates in organizing, public speaking, and managing policy campaigns.
What is Bro Brunch for?
Bro Brunch is a space for Black men to gather, share experiences, and talk about mental health, mentorship, masculinity, and identity.
What does Black Food Month highlight?
Black Food Month puts a spotlight on Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Austin through a month-long community campaign.
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