In the News

The Peace and Justice Institute is often recognized by the community in a variety of media mentions. PJI media mentions include a collection of articles, videos, and more.

2020

January 2020

Guest Columnists Rachel Allen and Dr. Judi Addelston co-wrote an article that was published in the Orlando Sentinel in January, 2020 titled "Ending Cycle of Violence Starts with Making Children Priority." The article focues on the Adverse Childhood Experiene Study (ACE Study) and how that informs how we should be working with individuals who have suffered from trauma and what we can do to build a more resilient Central Florida. Rachel C. Allen is the director of the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College and Dr. Judi Addelston is a professor of psychology at Valencia College.

2019

September 2019

PJI and Oasis Church of Winter Garden have partnered to provide a workshop dialogue series titled "RISE: Conversations on Race and Unity" to give the community a place and the tools to talk about these important topics. This was highlighted in an article by the West Orange Times & Observer on September 5, 2019.

June 2019

On June 21, 2019, PJI partnered with the Equal Justice Initiative to unveil a histirical marker memorializing July Perry during a ceremony at the Orange Regional History Center in Orlando, Florida. July Perry was lynched 99 years ago for wanting to vote and was one of many casualities during the tragic Ocoee massacre of 1920.

April 2019

On April 3, 2019 PJI co-hosted a very successful conferences on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) called "Creating a Resilient Community: From Trauma to Healing." From this conference, the blog ACEs Connection Central Florida was launched. Join us there!

February 2019

PJI was included in a case study by Ohio State University’s Divided Community Project: Community Resiliency Initiative – Case Study 2. This case study describes Orlando Speaks, a collaborative partnership between the City of Orlando, the Orlando Police Department and the Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute. The effort, which began in 2015, provides a new model for police-community dialogue and relationship building.

January 2019

PJI is featured in David J. Smith’s Book Peacebuilding as a Means to Global Citizenry as an example to illustrate approaches that can be used by community colleges to promote both global knowledge and global engagement—often taking the form of education abroad—using peacebuilding means.

2018

December 2018

PJI is featured in this Community College Daily article about the rise of peace education in community colleges.   

November 2018

Lauri Lott, Coordinator at The Peace and Justice Institute Academy and Hank Van Putten, Facilitator at The Peace and Justice Institute participate in the “Is this Racist?” episode of Vanessa Echols’ Colorblind Podcast.

October 2018

Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon included a mention of Orlando Speaks, a series of workshops facilitated by the Peace and Justice Institute to bring together law enforcement officers and the community. 

September 2018

Coverage of PJI's Director, Rachel Allen's participation in the United Nations Panel on a culture of peace.

PJI Director, Rachel Allen was asked to write a chapter in Sally Z Hare and Karen Luke Jackson’s book The Story Mandala: Finding Wholeness in a Divided Word.

August 2018

Rachel Allen, director of Valencia College’s Peace & Justice Institute, was invited to participate in a United Nations panel discussion about creating and sustaining a culture of peace in our society.

PJI Director, Rachel Allen was listed as one of the “10 people who make Orlando a better place to live.”

July 2018

William Jefferson from the Peace and Justice Institute participates as a panelist in the “Don’t let your babies grow up to be racist” episode of Vanessa Echols’ Colorblind Podcast.

June 2018

Jacqueline Spencer joins discussion at Orlando Speaks event -- Mother of man shot, killed by Orlando police speaks: 'Profiling is real'

March 2018

Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies interviews Rachel Allen

Orlando Speaks is mentioned in bringing together officers and residents

90.7 WFME's Catherine Welch talked with the Peace and Justice Institute's Rachelle Allen and historian Francine Boykin about events leading up to the massacre.

  • Audio Interview: 90.7 WMFE
  • Ocoee Discussions - 02/11/2018

February 2018

Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies interviews Rachel Allen

Valencia College students offer support to Stoneman Douglas survivors with the Peace and Justice Institute

2017

October 2017

The Engaged Citizen Podcast Community Building Conversation with Rachel Allen, Director of Valencia's Peace and Justice Institute.

April 2017

Community Leader Jimmie Williams writes in The Orlando Times about the fifth Orlando Speaks that took place on April 12, 2017.

PJI Director, Rachel Allen was suggested for Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel's list of 10 people who make Orlando a better place to live

2016

November 2016

Scott Maxwell includes Orlando Speaks in his list of 101 Things to Love about Central Florida for 2016.

February 2016

This article shares details about the third Orlando Speaks series that took place at Howard Middle School on Tuesday, February 16.

October 2016

PJI facilitated the fourth Orlando Speaks in partnership with the City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department.

July 2016

Hillary Clinton holds a roundtable discussion in Orlando following the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. During this discussion, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer recommends Orlando Speaks as a beneficial program for other cities across the nation to follow.

2015

August 2015, October 2015, and February 2015

Orlando Speaks is a community workshop designed to encourage dialogue between citizens of the City of Orlando and Police Officers with the goal to enhance our community policing initiative.

2014

May 2014

Members of the Peace and Justice Institute, including Valencia students, faculty, and staff, and local community partners hosting a Bring Back Our Girls rally at Orlando's City Hall to raise awareness of the kidnapped girls in Nigeria.

2013

January 2013

Jackie Chism, teacher at Jackson Heights Middle School and Founder of Peace Buy Piece buys back her students violent video games and DVDs. Chism presented during the Institute's 2013 Conversation on Justice.

August 2013

The Orlando Sentinel covers the Institute's Conflict Analysis Workshop on the Trayvon Martin Case.

February 2013

PJI hosts its first student retreat for their core group of student volunteers, the Peace and Justice Ambassadors.

2012

October 2012

PJI hosts its first Valencia Night at the Islamic Society of Central Florida with 200 participants.

September 2012

Valencia College to advocate peace through film

January 2012

Conversation on Compassion

2011

October 2011

Renowned Scholar Visits Valencia