Communities Rise attended the 2025 Access to Justice Conference in Yakima, Washington. Interim Co-Executive Director Livio De La Cruz and Board Secretary David Lawson co-presented a session called “Advising Nonprofits to Safeguard and Support their Racial Justice Missions.”
This session discussed a wide variety of potential sources of legal risks that nonprofits may face when pursuing racial justice missions and race-informed programs during this era of increased scrutiny. David and Livio debunked some rumors, distinguished between legal developments and political rhetoric, and explained new and longstanding legal principles. Attendees were left with a clearer picture of how some of these risks might (or might not) play out and how organizations might confidently continue to carry out their racial justice work.
The Access to Justice Conference meets every two years. It is a gathering of professionals and advocates who work in the Washington legal system, including attorneys, judges, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and other legal aid professionals.
Communities Rise thanks the Access to Justice Board and the Legal Foundation of Washington for helping to make this presentation a success.