“I applied to be accepted at the Justice-in-Education Initiative Scholars Program because I see education as an opportunity to continue learning, challenge myself, and create opportunities that I did not always have access to before. While at JIE, I hope to become a stronger writer and critical thinker, learn from the people around me, and continue building the skills I need to reach my goals.

“I also hope to give back. Many Columbia students come from different backgrounds and have experienced things that I have not, just as I have experienced things that many of them may not have. I believe there is value in learning from each other and being able to share different perspectives. I want to use my experiences to help and teach others while continuing to learn from them as well.

“Ultimately, I want to use my education to build a better future for myself, my daughter, and the people I hope to help along the way.”

Christine Lulu Rountree is a Brooklyn-based community advocate, youth facilitator, mentor, and founder of Lulu’s Legacy Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering Black girls and young women through mentorship, education, advocacy, and community support. She also serves as a Lead Youth Facilitator with BK Network and as a mentor and facilitator with RichRoots RichFruits, working directly with young people to help them develop confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of possibility for their futures.

As a justice-impacted woman, mother, and someone whose path to higher education has been anything but traditional, Lulu brings lived experience into every space she enters. Her experiences navigating systems that often fail young people and families have fueled her commitment to becoming an advocate for those whose voices are too often unheard.

For Lulu, education represents possibility. Her journey has taught her that where someone begins does not have to determine where they finish. Through Columbia University’s Justice-in-Education Initiative, she hopes to deepen her understanding of justice, policy, education, and community-based change while gaining the tools to turn lived experience into sustainable solutions. She plans to use what she learns to strengthen her advocacy, expand Lulu’s Legacy Foundation, and continue creating opportunities for young people, especially Black girls and young women.

Lulu sees JIE as more than an academic opportunity. It is part of a larger journey of transforming adversity into purpose and using education not only to change her own life, but to create lasting change in her community.

“I grew up between Georgia and Oklahoma in areas affected by the opioid epidemic. After enduring cycles of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, I eventually came out the other side. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, I am pursuing my dreams of getting an education and eventually going to law school.
“Henry Ford said, ‘Experience is the thing of supreme value.’ I am grateful for all of the seemingly terrible experiences I’ve had because they’ve given me a unique perspective and the ability to identify with a wide cross-section of people. My experiences have allowed me to have a deeper sense of empathy and an even stronger sense of justice.

“I am working to achieve my childhood dream of getting a law degree in the field of Public Interest. Education is freedom and power. Not only do I intend to use my voice for those who are unheard, I want to fight to make their voices louder and shine a light on injustice everywhere. JIE is working to do just that for system impacted individuals, like me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to become a JIE scholar, and to study at an institution of such academic excellence. I am certain that the connections and the education that I gain here are going to put me in the best position to join the fight for justice.”

“My name is Quintin Smith from New York City. Working with fellow artists throughout the city has shown me the importance of building and being part of a community, which ultimately led me to the JIE Scholars program. Being among people who share similar experiences is both empowering and motivating. Education itself is essential to effectively serving the community, and my goal is to further my education at Columbia University to obtain my degree. It is a true honor to be accepted into this program.”