Capital Preparatory Magnet School - The Road to College begins at Capital Prep

About the Social Justice Conference

Capital Preparatory Magnet School | Hartford, Connecticut

At Capital Preparatory Magnet School, our mission is to provide a college-preparatory education that develops scholars into socially conscious leaders. We are a PreK–12 community driven by excellence and equity, committed to ensuring that every student is accepted into a four-year college or university—and empowered to be a force for justice in the world.

The Conference: Where Scholarship Meets Activism

Our Social Justice Conference is a powerful expression of this mission. Launched in 2016, the conference showcases the culminating work of our seniors through the Social Justice Project (SJP)—a capstone experience that fuses academic research, public speaking, and real-world action. Each project tackles a current social justice issue, guiding students through literature review, action research, thesis writing, and community engagement.

Scholars of distinction present their work to a wide audience of educators, professionals, advocates, and peers. They compete for recognition, share bold ideas, and inspire change. Our younger students also participate through developmentally appropriate workshops and exhibits, building early awareness and advocacy skills.

Honoring a Tradition of Impact

Since its inception, the conference has grown into a school-wide and city-wide celebration of student voice and social impact. We’ve hosted keynote speakers like:

• Former Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes, CT Department of Children and Families

• Ms. Elizabeth Horton Sheff, nationally recognized education activist, named plaintiff of Sheff vs. O'Neill

• State Senator Doug McCrory, Deputy President Pro Tempore

We also amplify the work of local and national organizations, including:

• The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)

• Charter Oak Health Center

• Planned Parenthood

• Girls with Impact

Our alumni return to share how their Capital Prep foundation has fueled their careers, activism, and community leadership.

This Year’s Theme: Unfinished Business — Breaking Barriers and Building Tomorrow

This theme is both timely and necessary. We are living in a moment that demands reflection, responsibility, and radical imagination. Unfinished Business reminds us that the pursuit of justice is ongoing—and that each of us has a role to play in dismantling barriers and building a more equitable future.

As issues like educational equity, racial justice, gender rights, climate activism, and access to healthcare continue to challenge us, our students rise to meet them—with data, passion, and purpose.

A Call to Action

We invite families, educators, community leaders, and justice-minded individuals to stand with us. Celebrate our scholars. Listen deeply. Engage courageously. And help us turn bold ideas into lasting impact.

Join us for the Capital Prep Social Justice Conference. The future is calling—and we are answering.

#CapitalPrepSJC
#SocialJusticeConference
#SJC2025
#UnfinishedBusiness
#BreakBarriersBuildTomorrow
#JustAskCapitalPrep

Artwork for the 2025 SJC - "Unfinished Business: Breaking Barriers, Building Tomorrow"
Artwork by: Journee Howard, Class of 2027

Capital Prep Social Justice Student Artwork

Our Annual Social Justice Conference Artwork

Each year, our SJC Artwork to go along with the theme is designed by one of our talented student artists. Melonie Jackson, a member of the Class of 2019 poignantly depicted the themes of our 2018 (Conflict and Compromise) and 2019 (Social Justice is a Universal Language) conferences.  In 2021, eighth grader Nyah Noward conveys her interpretation of our theme, "Climb", in recognition of the challenges, adversity, and oppression that our community has overcome in a most challenging year.  The 2022 Conference included artwork from Joshmarys Colon Santiago, a Junior at Capital Prep, that made the image of "Solidarity" to include the whole world. For the 2023 conference, the artwork featured was from second grader, Malaysia Plummer.  She is a creative and talented young trailblazer, and Capital Prep is proud to show her beautiful work and visual depiction of Radical Healing! In 2024, juniors Nxy Urquijo & Alexis Rodriguez used digital art to represent the theme - "Reimagining Justice, Building Bridges for a More Just and Equitable World." This year, we have sophomore Journee Howard free hand drawing her interpretation of this year's theme with Martin Luther King Jr. and Kamala Harris. We will present her with a framed copy and gift at the Conference.

Each year we hold a competition for student artists.  Contestants from Pre-K through high school participate.  Each piece is so unique with the students' interpretation of that year's theme, and below we have pictures of all the past conference art work.