The Evergreen Awards is proud to announce that the Dreaming Justice Project, led by Dr. Christy Perez, has been named the Best Social Justice Leadership in Georgia of 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights the Dreaming Justice Project’s exceptional contributions to social change, justice reform, and community empowerment, marking them as leaders in the fight for justice and liberation.

A Visionary Leader at the Helm

At the core of this award-winning organization is Dr. Christy Perez, a renowned public theologian, historian, journalist, and abolitionist organizer whose dedication to social justice is both deeply personal and profoundly transformative. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Dreaming Justice Project, Dr. Perez has spent her career crafting solutions to the complex issues faced by marginalized communities, especially Black and trans communities. Her organization focuses on three interconnected pathways, corporate and nonprofit engagement, direct community services, and cultural and narrative stewardship, each designed to bring about systemic change and uplift those most affected by injustice.

Dr. Perez’s mantra, Imagine, Build, Liberate, guides not only her personal philosophy but the mission of the Dreaming Justice Project. Her approach is both visionary and practical, and it’s this blend of forward-thinking leadership and actionable solutions that has made her organization stand out in Georgia’s social justice landscape.

Commitment to Comprehensive Justice Reform

Dreaming Justice Project’s initiatives range from consulting services that help organizations build more equitable practices to direct community services that support individuals who are navigating the systems of incarceration, unemployment, and healthcare. The organization’s Next Chapter Reentry Support Program helps formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society, while the Dream Builders Career Lab assists participants with workforce readiness and professional development. Additionally, the DreamWell Health Initiative provides holistic community wellness services, addressing both physical and mental health needs.

But it is not just through services that the Dreaming Justice Project excels; their narrative and cultural work, highlighted by initiatives like the Sacred Disruption Wisdom for Today series and the Stories That Shift Media Lab, creates the space for reimagining the world we deserve. Through art, storytelling, and cultural events, they shift the narrative around justice, calling for societal transformation that values the dignity and humanity of all people.

Dr. Perez’s Unstoppable Drive

Dr. Christy Perez’s personal journey is a testament to the power of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding fight for justice. Having experienced trauma and adversity throughout her life, including surviving a violent childhood, homelessness, and incarceration, she has emerged as a force for change. Her life’s work is not just theoretical; it is built on lived experience. As someone who has navigated systems of oppression firsthand, Dr. Perez brings an authenticity to her work that makes her voice both powerful and necessary in the national conversation on justice reform.

Award-Winning Journalism and Thought Leadership

Dr. Perez’s impact extends beyond her work with Dreaming Justice Project. She is also a respected journalist and commentator, having written extensively on issues of power, policing, and democratic backsliding. Her reporting, featured in major outlets such as HuffPost, Filter Magazine, and Business Insider, focuses on the intersection of race, gender, and politics, and she has become a trusted voice in the abolitionist movement. Dr. Perez’s writing and public speaking emphasize the importance of narrative in shaping public policy, highlighting how the stories we tell about marginalized communities directly influence the systems that govern them.

Her status as a Marvel Cooke Abolitionist Journalism Fellow and Senior Journalism Fellow at The Lighthouse reflects her prominence in both the journalistic and abolitionist movements, where she is widely recognized for her investigative rigor and commitment to truth-telling.

A Commitment to Building a Better Future

What truly sets Dreaming Justice Project apart is its holistic, community-driven approach to social change. Through Dr. Perez’s leadership, the organization not only advocates for systemic reform but also builds tangible solutions that support individuals and communities. By focusing on education, leadership development, and grassroots organizing, Dreaming Justice Project is creating a future where justice is not just an ideal but a lived reality for all.

The work of the Dreaming Justice Project is a testament to the power of visionary leadership, community collaboration, and a relentless commitment to liberation. Dr. Perez’s leadership is a beacon for justice in Georgia, and her organization’s multifaceted approach to change offers a model for others to follow.

The Best Social Justice Leadership in Georgia of 2025 award from the Evergreen Awards recognizes the Dreaming Justice Project’s profound contributions to social change and its visionary leadership under Dr. Christy Perez. As a powerful advocate for marginalized communities, Dr. Perez’s work is transforming the landscape of social justice in Georgia and beyond. Through her unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and liberation, Dreaming Justice Project continues to inspire, educate, and build a more just world.

For more information on the Dreaming Justice Project, visit their website at dreamingjustice.org.