For one year, from Fall 2019 to Summer 2020, the New York City Transformative Justice Hub ran bi-monthly political education workshops for the public followed by a consultation space for groups already involved in CA work to troubleshoot processes.

The New York City Transformative Justice Hub operated from 2020-2021, as a bi-monthly gathering aimed at learning skills for ending violence, together. In 2019, Mariame Kaba brought together a group of seasoned Transformative Justice practitioners and New York City organizers to explore the formation of a Transformative Justice and community accountability (CA) training and support program pilot for New York City.

Taking direction from previous Transformative Justice collective configurations — most notably the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective — the group formed the New York City Transformative Justice Hub. For one year, from Fall 2019 to Summer 2020, the Hub ran bi-monthly political education workshops for the public followed by a consultation space for groups already involved in CA work to troubleshoot processes. By “political education,” we mean that we shaped the events to focus on knowledge and skill-building rooted in PIC abolition, transforming violence, and liberation. The initial Hub members consisted of community organizers well-versed in TJ and PIC abolition literature and theory but relatively new to TJ/CA practice. Through Kaba and other TJ facilitators, the group members were connected to a larger network of experienced practitioners. In each workshop session, the Hub brought in practitioners from that network to share a particular concrete skill. Following each workshop, experienced facilitators were available for groups that signed up for a CA process consultation (the Hub called this “TJRx”).

As a model, the Hub offers a low commitment, time-restricted way for communities to introduce Transformative Justice concepts and values, identify people interested in skilling up, and connect new practitioners with broader TJ networks. It is well-suited for pods, collectives, and small-to-medium-sized groups looking to offer spaces for learning and practice. It builds both knowledge and training skills for sharing TJ fundamentals with a broad group of people, who may or may not work together.

Source: NYC TJ Hub

New York City TJ Hub

Volume 2

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