Jimmie Briggs

Jimmie is a documentary storyteller, writer, and advocate for racial and gender equity. He co-leads, alongside Clifton Spargo, the Center for Story & Witness’s “Testimony and Transformation” writing program for citizens impacted by the criminal justice system.

“This writing program is authentically transformative and the response to an immediate need,” says Jimmie. “From the work we do with returning citizens — many who were in solitary confinement during their incarceration – I can vigorously testify to the positive impact of the story workshop model.”

Jimmie is an adjunct professor in social change journalism at the International Center of Photography in New York and the founder and executive director emeritus of Man Up Campaign, a globally-focused organization to activate youth to stop violence against women and girls. This led to his winning the 2010 GQ Magazine “Better Men Better World” search, and his being named one of the Women’s eNews “21 Leaders for the 21st Century.” Jimmie has served as an adjunct professor of investigative journalism at the New School for Social Research, and as a George A. Miller Visiting Professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

A frequent contributor to Vanity Fair, author of the book Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War, and a Principal at Skoll Foundation, Jimmie centers his work on explorations of racial, social, and gender injustices, challenging us to look more closely at the lines of connection among the many forms of oppression. His philosophy and commitment go hand in hand with our mission.