“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela
At Initiatives for Academic Mobility (I.A.M.), we use education as a tool for transformation. We partner with educational institutions, community-based organizations, and government agencies to dismantle systemic barriers, strengthen the leadership of marginalized communities, and expand their access to meaningful academic and career pathways.
Advancing Education. Cultivating Leaders. Creating Possibilities.
What We Offer
Language matters:
Language matters:
At I.A.M., we do not use terms such as “inmate,” “convict,” “felon,” or “offender.” These labels reduce people to their worst moment and make it easier to deny them dignity, opportunity, and care.
We use people-first language because every person who has experienced incarceration is, first and always, a person.
We say “person who is incarcerated” or “formerly incarcerated person.” We say “person with a conviction.” We say their name.
As our founder, Lisette B. Hughes, writes, “Good Intentions Don’t Blunt the Impact of Dehumanizing Words.” Additionally, explore The Marshall Project’s Language Project for further perspectives on people-first language.