Jonathan Janvier

Jonathan Janvier is a senior at Miami Edison Senior High School in Miami. Jonathan serves as president and co-founder of the Racial and Social Justice Alliance, RASJA, bringing students together to discuss problems affecting their community. Topics included issues such as gun violence, mass incarceration, homophobia, racial division, and poverty. Jonathan developed the idea for RASJA after volunteering with the Power U Center for Social Change, a local organization promoting youth leadership and activism. Motivated to create change and deepen his fellow students' understanding of how systemic racism was impacting their lives, he formed a coalition of young leaders at Miami Edison to build power, impact change, and bring the school's diverse student communities together. Many students reported after the meetings that they were beginning to see the myriad of ways the deck has been stacked against them, and how they could be more effective agents for social change in their community. The club has become a vital channel to communicate concerns about racial discrimination and injustice among a diverse group of students, helping them create a more prosperous and unified community. Jonathan was also instrumental in the creation of the Miami Edison Diversity Committee and serves as its chairman. This committee makes sure that every senior event includes the entire student body and promotes diversity. Jonathan believes that it is important that Edison be inclusive, welcoming, and safe for students of all racial, social, and ethnic backgrounds.