The opposite of poverty isn’t wealth but justice, says civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. It’s been a guiding principle for the author of Just Mercy and the leader of the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative, which advocates for a fair justice system.
But much of life isn’t a meritocracy. Racism and discrimination can actually be built into the system of governance.
Though there has been progress over the decades in this region, it’s clear that much work has to be done to address systemic inequities in not only criminal justice but also education, housing and wealth generation. Furthermore, advocates are pushing for Dallas’ recognition of its racist past and for the preservation of the culture in its historic neighborhoods.
Today, a new generation of North Texas leaders is challenging an old system and finding both resistance and some success. We wanted to hear their voices on the social justice issues that motivate them. We selected six to watch.
They are passionate about issues from immigration to voting rights to affordable housing to the freedom to tell their own stories or to protest.
Stephanie Drenka, 35, is the founding editor of Visible Magazine, a publication she launched in 2019 to amplify the voices of people whose stories have been undertold and misrepresented.
“I am passionate about people having agency over their stories and being seen as credible for their lived experiences and that their stories are valued,” said Drenka, who grew up in Southlake.
(Liesbeth Powers / Special Contributor)
Drenka has also led conversations and speaker panels about racism as part of her role at Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, a local social justice organization.
Her activism, she said, largely started at DePaul University in Chicago, where she was drawn to issues that affect Asian…