JUA is more than an arts program; it is a creative engine for leadership. In Swahili, Jua means Sun or Light. We live up to that name by shining a light on truth, identity, and the untapped brilliance of our youth. Whether interpreted as the light of discovery or the acronym Just Us Arts, the message is clear: our students’ stories are the catalyst for community change.
From the stage to the workforce, JUA integrates socially conscious arts with professional development. Through our signature Justice Sunday program, students honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by researching, writing, and performing original, historically grounded productions that challenge the status quo.
The Five Tenets of JUA
We use the arts as a laboratory to master five essential life skills:
Research: Digging into history to understand the present.
Writing: Crafting narratives that demand to be heard.
Networking: Building social capital and professional bridges.
Public Speaking: Owning the room with confidence and clarity.
Leadership: Turning creative vision into collective action.
Beyond the Curtain –We don’t just train actors; we develop visionaries. By connecting students to scholarships, internships, and career-readiness training, JUA ensures that the discipline learned in rehearsals translates into success in the boardroom. We move youth from the wings of society to the center stage of leadership.
Support the Vision – Fuel the light. Your sponsorship or donation directly invests in the scholarships, materials, and stages that transform “at-promise” youth into the leaders our communities need.
Scale the Movement – Impact shouldn’t be a secret. We are scaling this transformation by offering our proprietary curriculum, materials, and specialized training to organizations ready to redefine student success. Whether you are looking to license our model or join our network of certified facilitators, visit our hiring page to access the tools needed to elevate your community.
Justice Sunday Performance
The Justice Sunday Performance stands as a nationally recognized initiative devoted to commemorating the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This program encompasses a series of workshops designed to enhance skills and playwriting abilities, culminating in a two-hour theatrical production. Engaging students from local middle and high schools, collaborative brainstorming and writing sessions are overseen by Future Leaders California’s Justice Sunday Alumni. Together, they craft a script that undergoes meticulous rehearsal and refinement. Subsequently, the youth showcase their play at local theaters, where they partake in shadowing theater professionals, gaining insights into various facets of live production, including costume and set design, lighting, sound, and theater etiquette.
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The Justice Sunday Gala is the hallmark celebration of Future Leaders California (FLC), highlighting the growth and resilience of “at-promise” youth through their mastery of five core pillars: Public Speaking, Networking, Leadership, Writing, and Research. Serving as the capstone of the academic year, the event provides a powerful platform for students to present original research and creative projects to mentors and community leaders while gaining hands-on experience in event coordination. Ultimately, the Gala honors a legacy of perseverance and community impact, functioning as a vital fundraising initiative to sustain and expand programs that empower the next generation of leaders. To support our mission through sponsorships or donations, please click here.
