Superheroes for Social Justice
Developed at Kids Community Learning Center in Portland, Oregon
The Social Justice Academy was a multi-year educational program designed to introduce young children to foundational concepts of racial justice, equity, and inclusion through imaginative and age-appropriate methods. Originally launched as a Superhero Club, the program evolved into a sustained curriculum that used superhero narratives to help children understand systems of power and their own capacity to create change.
Hosted at the Kids Community Learning Center in Portland, Oregon, the Social Justice Academy engaged elementary-aged participants in a series of interactive lessons and creative activities focused on:
Understanding the history and impact of racism
Exploring fairness, justice, and identity
Practicing empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking
Developing language and tools to respond to injustice
Students explored historical and contemporary figures as real-life superheroes, connected their learning to current events, and reflected on ways they could stand up for others in their everyday lives. The program emphasized storytelling, play, and action as central components of justice education.
The Social Justice Academy offered a developmentally grounded, joyful, and impactful way to support children in becoming thoughtful, informed, and courageous participants in their communities.