Inspire Change: Impact Justice

From the streets of Los Angeles, California, to positions of leadership, Andrew Mandujano and Mindy Valdez are rewriting their futures. Through a partnership between the NFL and Impact Justice, they're using their lived experiences to mentor justice-involved youth and strengthen the communities they call home.

With support from the NFL's Inspire Change initiative, Gulf Coast JFCS and the St. Petersburg Police Department expanded their CALL program's partnership with ANYTOWN, including a youth initiative that funded the hiring of a Youth Engagement Specialist to support young leaders in the greater Tampa Bay Area. Shoot location courtesy: Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg.

Through its partnership with Year Up United, the NFL is helping more employers see talent in a new way. Former students like Ebony Grayson and Jalen Epps are among the more than 50,000 young adults who have gained the training and support they need to succeed in the workplace.

"NFL Slimetime" features Inspire Change as the NFL initiative of the week.

Rodney and Erika McLeod, co-founders of the "Change Our Future" foundation, discuss their mission to create a better tomorrow for youth. Focusing on the foundation's education pillar, they share their vision for empowering the next generation through access to quality education and opportunities.

It Takes All of Us to drive real change. Grady Jarrett huddles up with members of Atlanta's Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative and officers from the Atlanta Police Department to discuss building stronger communities.

It Takes All of Us to drive real change. Rome Odunze huddles up with members of Chicago's Metropolitan Peace Initiatives and officers from the Chicago Police Department to discuss strategies to empower local communities.

For nearly 10 years, the Steelers have done their part to help improve the relationship between the Pittsburgh Police department and the neighborhoods they serve. Now led by Minkah Fitzpatrick, the program is stil strengthening the bond between communities and law enforcement….one tailgate at a time.

Legendary hip hop artist & pioneer, MC Lyte's latest single, "King King" is dedicated to all the Kings of the world. It's also the unofficial anthem for the Player's Coalition as they embark on a new agenda to affect change. She sits down with Coalition co-founder Anquan Boldin to talk about the role of music in social Justice and what's next for the P-C in year 8.

Patrick Surtain II has quickly made a name for himself as a game-changer in the Broncos secondary. He's also hoping to change the game when it comes to public education. Inspired by his father's upbringing, Surtain's goal is to level the playing field for financially disadvantaged students in the Denver area.

This historic east side community was considered a food desert since 2011, when Debs Store closed after 100yrs of business. Now the Jags along with LiftJAX and several other partners have brought fresh food back to the neighborhood with the grand re-opening of The Corner Store at Debs.

NFL Inspire Change, in conjunction with the Clark County Library District, hosted a grand opening to celebrate the local launch of Barbershop Books. This non-profit organization focuses on creating child-friendly reading spaces for boys 8 and below in barbershops - with the hope of inspiring reading and reducing reading trauma.

Football has a way of bridging divides - and that's certainly true in Los Angeles, where a coed youth football program was formed in 2013 to connect the LAPD and the community of Watts. This past year, the program's 10-year milestone was honored with a game that serves as a powerful expression of the Watts Rams' impact and growth since being adopted by the "other" Rams-- , the city's NFL franchise.

NFL Network's Omar Ruiz shines light on NFL players, owners and organizations as we review the NFL's Inspire Change Inititiative throughout the 2023 season.

Kevvy's Vision is a non-profit organization founded by Bears' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee, Jaylon Johnson. The organization honors Johnson's best friend, who was a pillar in the Fresno community before tragedy changed everything.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell shares his experience visiting the Restorative Correctional facility.

In 2017, Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins founded The Players Coalition, an advocacy group working to improve social justice and racial equality. Six years after its inception, the coalition has spread to over a dozen leagues and raised nearly $50 million in cumulative grants… and as task force member Doug Baldwin explains, its impact continues to grow.For more information on the players coalition and their achievements go to players-coalition.org.

NFL Network's MJ Acosta-Ruiz discusses how the NFL's social justice initiatives are impacting communities across America.

Founder of Barbershop Books Alvin Irby discusses partnership with the NFL for Inspire Change Super Bowl event, and more.

The NFL is highlighting changemakers in our communities who are working to Inspire Change, laying the groundwork for the next generation.

The NFL is shining the spotlight on everyday mentors helping our next generation and working to Inspire Change.

As we come to the end of the regular season, the NFL is shining a light on all the amazing work from the Inspire Change Initiative. Formed during the 2017 season, Inspire Change brings players, owners and organizations together to create positive change in our communities. The NFL Network's Patrick Claybon has more…

Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is dedicated to making an impact in his hometown of Philadelphia. Through the charitable organization named after his late mother Shelice, Zaire works to support young women in their efforts to achieve financial literacy and professional growth. For more information about Zaire Franklin's Shelice's Angels go to nfl.com/inspirechange.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead discusses what "Inspire Change" means to him through his organization "Armstead Academic Project" in the community.

A few years ago a bill was passed to start research on building a trail in Texas from Galveston to Houston. This route is where freed slaves traveled after hearing about their emancipation in 1865. Join Cincinnati Bengals safety Michael Thomas as he travels that trail to learn more about the history of Juneteenth.