IJ’s activism team works to empower and mobilize entrepreneurs, property owners and parents to advocate for their rights. We manage multiple grassroots campaigns at the state and local levels, draft online and media content, testify in the courtroom, organize trainings and public demonstrations, and develop promotional materials and information campaigns, all to provide activists with the tools and strategies needed to effectively fight for their rights both in their communities and in the statehouse.

Prior Projects

Red Tape Restricts D.C.

Just like all Americans, D.C. residents deserve the chance to start a small business–to take risks as innovative entrepreneurs looking to better their own lives. But unfortunately for them, D.C. agencies have adopted onerous rules…

Care in the Capitol

The District’s new rules for childcare workers are going to keep hundreds of hard-working and qualified people from earning an honest living. In December 2016, the D.C. Office of the Superintendent of Education (OSSE) enacted…

Braiding Battle in the Bayou State

African-style braiding is a completely natural hair-care process, a safe way for braiders, many of whom are immigrants, to earn a safe and honest living. But throughout Louisiana, braiders are forced to pay huge sums…

New Jersey: Home Sweet Home (Business)

Home baking is a way for entrepreneurs to get started small in their own homes without having to spend tens of thousands of dollars on professional equipment and commercial kitchen space. States across the country…

Braids in the Bluegrass State

African-style, natural hair braiders, teaming up with IJ, scored a major victory in Kentucky in 2016 when the Commonwealth passed a law that exempts braiders from needing to get a government-issued license to braid…

New Jersey, New Direction

In New Jersey, African-style hair braiders—whose businesses are deeply rooted in cultural traditions that have been handed down through generations—used to be required to undergo 1,200 hours of cosmetology training, simply in order to earn…

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