Education Justice Project

EJP is offering a summer reading group that examines corporate responsibility and the human consequences of profit-focused decision-making. “Flying Blind: The 737 Max Tragedy and the Fall Off of Boeing” is co-led by EJP student Joseph West and one of our community librarians, Kelli McQueen. It invites participants to explore the history of Boeing and the systemic failures that led to the 737 Max disasters.

Across five Wednesday sessions, from 1:30-4:30pm, the group will engage with and critically analyze how one of the world’s most trusted aerospace companies put lives at risk.

EJP is offering a reading group this summer that focuses on the experience of youth in Chicago between 1900-1970. This reading group is led by EJP’s academic manager, Chris Getowicz.

The book “Mean Streets” by Andrew J. Diamond will serve as the main text. Students will examine themes of masculinity, race, street life, schooling, and work in Chicago. In addition to the book, students will explore historical sources such as newspapers, pamphlets, flyers, and artwork from young people during the time period.

Students will be assigned weekly readings, and are asked to bring their own questions to the group to be explored together through conversation.

We are thrilled to congratulate Ashton Klekamp (Hoselton), EJP’s Policy & Research Director, for being selected for the 2026-2027 Corrections Education-to-Employment Leadership Academy (CELA) cohort!

Ashton is one of only 12 leaders nationwide chosen from corrections agencies, colleges, and education and reentry programs. Through CELA, this cohort will strengthen their leadership and connections across systems and advance education-to-employment pathways that support economic mobility for people impacted by incarceration.

Congratulations to Ashton and the entire cohort! We look forward to learning from their leadership and seeing what they build together.

EJP members recently joined other experts and advocates in Chicago for the fifth and final "Expanding Information Access for Incarcerated People Convening,” hosted by the San Francisco Public Library, centered on the theme "Reflection as Direction."

The conference focused on bridging resource gaps and advancing educational equity. Key sessions and small group collaborative discussions explored critical developments in the field, including legal access, youth and academic library services, and digital literacy initiatives for incarcerated individuals.

EJP member Adebola Obayemi and EJP alumnus Johnny Page, the Director of Reentry in the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention at the Illinois Department of Human Services gave formal presentations, which was also attended by EJP Policy and Research Director Ashton Klekamp and EJP’s Reentry Resource Program Guide Production Coordinator Christy Cannon.

EJP is hosting a reading group this summer that focuses on developing practical musicianship and creative expression by reading and writing music.

Led by instructor Amy Young, the hands-on sessions at the digital keyboard allow participants to build foundational skills through ear training, jazz improvisation, and composition.

Throughout the summer, the group will explore musical techniques by creating melodies over 12-bar blues and working with various chord progressions.