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Zealous

Challenging injustice
through media,
storytelling, and the arts.

Our Mission

In 2020, Zealous launched to address the immense disconnect between the general public’s perception of crime and punishment and the reality of what it will actually take to achieve enduring public health and safety.

our strategy

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Trainings & Convenings

Zealous skills up and convenes current and future legal practitioners, local and national advocates, and directly impacted leaders to be effective media advocates. We also foster strategic alignment among coalitions.

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Campaign

We build award-winning, cutting-edge advocacy projects and campaigns that harness technology, arts, media, film, and firsthand storytelling to inspire people to action and, ultimately, change laws.

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Media

Zealous amplifies critical perspectives and voices by building relationships between local experts, advocates, and media outlets to influence coverage and popular culture on issues of health, safety, and justice.

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Storytelling

Through the power of story, which lies at the heart of everything Zealous does, we work with partners to translate complex issues into engaging formats. Mediums range from web design to film, media, and so much more.

Our Latest Projects

Decriminalize Poverty

An interactive storytelling experience that brings to life a report by the Vera Institute of Justice and Free Hearts, featuring a digital archive of 500+ voices that speak to the criminalization of poverty in Tennessee. Winner of two Webby Awards.

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Philadelphia Defender Advocacy Project

A multidisciplinary training that brought together youth defense practitioners, social workers, organizers, and directly impacted leaders to learn new media, advocacy, and storytelling strategies. The goal: transform Philadelphia’s youth justice system.

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New York Times Opinion

An interactive storytelling experience that brings to life a report by the Vera Institute of Justice and Free Hearts, featuring a digital archive of 500+ voices that speak to the criminalization of poverty in Tennessee. Winner of two Webby Awards.

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Flashlights

An immersive digital archive, designed by Zealous to support the Jailhouse Lawyer’s Initiative, that introduces the world to jailhouse lawyers through a powerful collection of letters, poems, history, and art. Launched through a historic gathering of 200+ jailhouse lawyers, artists, educators, and advocates.

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Felony Murder Reporting Project

An interactive digital story hub and data journalism project featuring over 10,000 previously unreported felony murder cases across the country. Launched in partnership with New Yorker staff writer Sarah Stillman, whose reporting on the topic won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize.

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Texas Freedom Stories

The real stories of two people, and their families, who benefited from bail reform in Houston, Texas. Released in partnership with the Texas Jail Project.

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Advocacy Through Walls

A new, interactive, Webby Award-winning guide on how to approach trauma-informed advocacy and storytelling partnerships with people who have been impacted by the carceral system.

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Teen Vogue Commentaries

An ongoing, Anthem Award-winning commentary series featuring local advocates and people who are system-impacted on a range of issues that more people need to know about.

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Gathering for Freedom

The real stories of pretrial freedom from places that have passed bail reform, as told by six people who have experienced it. Produced and launched in partnership with John Legend and FREEAMERICA.

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Drug Test Innocence

An interactive, Webby Award-winning storytelling experience that brings to life reports and research on unreliable field drug tests and their devastating impacts on people and communities. Webby Award winner.

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States of Solitary

An artivism (art + activism) event to focus on the current state of solitary confinement in the U.S. and collectively envision a future without it, put on by Unlock the Box and supported by Zealous.

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Community x Journalism Series

Regular convenings of local journalists and community members to shift narratives on crime reporting, youth justice, and more in jurisdictions where Zealous is focused.

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End the Exception

A digital archive of letters from hundreds of incarcerated workers across the country, compiled in partnership with Worth Rises and the #EndTheException campaign. The goal: End forced prison labor, a.k.a. prison slavery.

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Beyond the Now

An Anthem and Telly Award-winning series of explainer videos that explores successful alternatives to policing, prosecution, and prison. Produced in partnership with Teen Vogue and Truthout.

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End Torture Now

An information hub and advocacy platform to raise awareness about solitary confinement and the landmark End Solitary Confinement Act, launched in partnership with the Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce (FAST). Winner of an Anthem Award.

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Chicago Coalition for Intercommunalism

A powerful, growing coalition of over 100 organizations and thousands of Chicagoans, building extraordinary power through a series of in-person activations and initiatives.

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The Court Watchers

A national education and action campaign to raise awareness about the importance of open public access to courts and help expand court watching programs across the country. Winner of two Anthem Awards.

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Silenced

A firsthand digital archive of 100 letters from people in solitary confinement in Michigan, paired with an immersive arts/advocacy experience and art inspired by the letters. Winner of an Anthem Award and Communication Arts Prize.

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