Current Projects

Class of 2026 - Spatial Justice and Resiliency (Alton, IL)

Teams in this cohort are working to define what spatial justice should look like in this region, a concept that Edward Soja explains as “fundamentally, almost inescapably, a struggle over geography.” Spatial justice is “the fair and equitable distribution in space of socially valued resources and opportunities to use them” (2009). As a Mississippi River town, Alton has a storied past. After the Missouri Compromise, Alton was a key stop for the Underground Railroad and a hub of activity for abolitionists and those escaping from slavery. The city was also the site of racial segregation throughout the twentieth century. Redlining meant that Black communities were relegated to parts of the city at the mercy of the river’s frequent flooding. Extreme flooding again hit Alton in spring 2019 leading to concerns about racial justice in the context of climate change.

Learn more about spatial justice projects.

Class of 2027 - Reparative Justice (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Teams in this cohort are working to sustain reparative justice. Henry Shaw was a European settler who founded the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1859. Henry Shaw enslaved an unknown number of people between the years of 1829 and 1865. The Missouri Botanical Garden was granted nearly $100,000 to share its story with slavery and educate the community about reparative justice. This creates a perfect scenario for CODE Scholars to enhance their digital storytelling abilities to shed light on racial justice and repair society. 

Learn more about reparative justice projects.