Advocating for Southern Communities

Southern Coalition for Social Justice partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, and communications.

SCSJ Attorneys and Interns with community members at the Person County Wallace Trespass Trial in July 2025

Who We Are

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in August 2007 in Durham, North Carolina by a multidisciplinary group, predominantly people of color, who believed that families and communities engaged in social justice struggles need a team of lawyers, social scientists, community organizers, and media specialists to support them in their efforts to dismantle structural racism and oppression.

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Our Focus Areas

Our work seeks to support, protect, and empower safe and healthy communities while creating a less punitive, more accountable criminal legal system.

Our Core Values

We are committed to:

Representing economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color who otherwise would not have legal representation.

Having a concrete impact that moves us toward eliminating structural inequality.

Our Vision

Communities will succeed in realizing their own goals, and people will know from experience that they can make a difference on issues that matter to them.

Our Goals

Provide the highest quality legal advice and representation to poor communities and communities of color engaged in social change efforts.

Want to Join the Team?

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