
Who better to reimagine justice than THOSE who have experienced life without it?
I Am Why brings young women and gender expansive activists together with researchers and other partners to increase young activists’ individual and collective power. By celebrating their strengths and sharing their stories and visions for justice, young people lead the way to policies, practices and programs that work.
Why I Am Why?
Too often, girls, young women and gender expansive people—especially of color—are ignored or oppressed for demonstrating the very qualities they need to become healthy, powerful adults. Equitable systems and a just society must take a different course, celebrating and supporting qualities such as leadership, loyalty, courage and curiosity, and giving young people meaningful power over their own lives.
I Am Why is a movement for self-determination and justice that centers young women and gender expansive activists. Through individual stories, artwork, research and action, I Am Why’s young activists are reclaiming and re-creating their narrative. We are developing a collective vision of policies, practices and programs that center our humanity and power. We invite you to partner with us as we reimagine justice.

Why I Am Why?
Too often, girls, young women and gender expansive people—especially of color—are ignored or oppressed for demonstrating the very qualities they need to become healthy, powerful adults. Equitable systems and a just society must take a different course, celebrating and supporting qualities such as leadership, loyalty, courage and curiosity, and giving young people meaningful power over their own lives.
I Am Why is a movement for self-determination and justice that centers young women and gender expansive activists. Through individual stories, artwork, research and action, I Am Why’s young activists are reclaiming and re-creating their narrative. We are developing a collective vision of policies, practices and programs that center our humanity and power. We invite you to partner with us as we reimagine justice.
The I Am Why Blog
Mamas Retreat into the Desert!
The Motherhood Support Group, composed of young mamas from all over turtle island, has been gathering for the past few years to offer support, upliftment, and love to each other. Sharing stories, sharing tears, sharing laughter, all through virtual shared space. This...
The State of Blackness and Our Relation to Change
For many people, February 2023 was a time to learn about Black history by uplifting important figures of the past and present-day times. At I Am Why our Justice Initiatives team decided to give reverence to Black culture by taking time to acknowledge the past while...
Mentorship + Emergent Strategies = Emergent Leaders
In I Am Why’s book circle, we focus on more than reading. We also grow our community through team building, which is part of I Am Why’s model of mentorship. The book circle reached a milestone in the month of January: We completed Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree...
Meet the Experts

Stay in the loop
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about all the latest happenings.
Tell us what you think
Reach out with questions, requests or suggestions anytime.