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TSU's Center for Justice Research Receives Donation from Chevron to Support Justice Reform Research

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

center for justice

The Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University received support from Chevron with a $50,000 grant, aiding the Center’s research on equity-based criminal justice reform.  

Since the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor, the role of police officers in our cities has become a focal point for Americans everywhere. Support from corporations like Chevron are vital for the researchers at CJR, who will use the funding to continue their mission of discovering data-driven solutions that can address any inequities in our criminal justice system.  

“We are grateful for the support of Chevron in our quest to bring awareness to the need for a criminal justice system that treats everyone fairly, regardless of race and socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of the Center for Justice Research. “The important work conducted by our researchers will continue to educate policy makers and practitioners in the criminal justice realm, while simultaneously preparing the next generation of justice-oriented researchers.” 

With broad stakeholder and community support, CJR’s work has revealed distinct insights and solutions. For example, the wider impact of COVID-19 on historically disenfranchised populations and assessing the impact of a prison-based postsecondary education are just two of the projects CJR is undertaking to expand our understanding of the culturally-responsive solutions necessary for criminal justice reform.    

The Center’s researchers and the work they conduct reverberates with the larger research and academic community, earning praise from distinguished leaders.  

“The Center for Justice Research is committed to engaging in policy-relevant research that will contribute to the building of a democratic American society based on peaceful co-existence, tolerance, mutual respect and social justice, including a criminal justice system that is fair to all,” said Dr. George Klay Kieh, Jr., Dean Of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. 

Other leaders at TSU recognize that consistently advocating for structural systemic change in America is a demanding challenge but a necessary one if we are to live in a more equitable society.  

“The work completed at the Center for Justice Research is important because it improves the lives of not only those in Black communities, but the lives of all Americans everywhere by challenging biases and assumptions within our criminal justice system.” said Dr. David Baker, Interim Chair and an Associate Professor in the Administration of Justice Department at the Barbara Jordan- Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.   

The Center was created at TSU in January 2018 with the focus of bringing together an experienced research collective. Our results are ultimately disseminated to key policy decision makers and community stakeholders. As the only university-level criminal justice research center on the campus of a historically black college or university, CJR is in a unique position to bring new perspectives and ideas to criminal justice reform, leading to bolder, unprecedented solutions. 

Chevron partners with local governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and communities to identify local needs, investing in solutions and programs that will deliver measurable and lasting results. Chevron has an enduring legacy of valuing diversity and inclusion and is making a $15 million investment to support the Black community aimed at addressing barriers to equity – a commitment that aligns with its goal to improve lives, create opportunity and power the world forward. The $15 million commitment advances the company’s long-term support of racial equity that focuses on four strategic pillars: education; job creation; Black talent and leadership development, and community and small business partnerships.  

Chevron is working to expand its relationships with community, business and educational partners such as K-12 STEM organizations and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs). More information about diversity and inclusion at Chevron is available online here. Statements from company leaders on racial injustice can be found online here.

To contact or learn more about CJR’s research and strategic engagement efforts, please visit our website.  

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Last updated: 11/17/2020