About The Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists
Jason Marque Sole created The Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists in 2021 to provide political education for community members and practitioners to learn effective ways to improve relationships and reduce harm through courses, workshops, trainings, and coaching.
He helps develop customized abolitionist frameworks for people who want to learn more about safety and accountability. This cultivates more collaborations across community as formerly incarcerated folx, social workers, university professors, and business owners work together to create safer neighborhoods. The variety of experience and perspective offers unique and dynamic problem-solving.
The Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists explores community safety models with participants interested in learning about abolition. By understanding the legal system, history, Black entrepreneurship, formerly incarcerated entrepreneurship, effective ways to empower survivors of abuse, and youth-elder development, participants will begin to rely on each other, rather than the state.
Tracks, Opportunities, & Commitment
The Institute is offering three tracks and each offers different relationship-building opportunities and commitment. Each track is intended to help us make the most of our time — aiding in sharing the liberation work with the people you think could uplift the work, either relationally or financially. As a starting point, you are encouraged to choose the option that speaks to you and adjust accordingly to show up authentically for a full year.
David Ruggles Track — Limit to 25 members
- Relationship-Building:
- Commitment:
- Light 1:1 outreach
- Support pardon hearing, gatherings, brainstorming sessions, and more
- Raise $2,500 by inviting people to online and in-person events including the Black History Month Silent Auction and other gatherings (no money has to be taken from your account)
- Access to two online trainings
- Two tickets to an in-person event
- Unlimited tickets to our Underground Railroad site visits
- Really, if you see something I’m doing and would like to be a part of it, just ask!
- Commitment:
Build
- Do you own fundraiser to raise the rest of your goal for The Institute
- Open Mic Night
- Personalized screening, training, or workshop
- Invite others to join you at future events
- See if your place of work makes contributions for staff volunteer hours
Amplify
- Use your social media platforms to increase our impact
- Like, share, and comment on the posts
- Be sure to reshare the posts for reach
- Invite a few of your peeps to join the movement through SubStack, Youtube, Patreon, and all events.
Educate
- Advocacy help with pardons, community safety, public health, etc.
- Bring some of your people to the Underground Railroad site visits
- Share what you’ve learned after attending an event with 3-4 people
- Take a course with a couple of people you’d like to co-struggle with in the future.
The David Ruggles track within the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists will consist of individuals representing either themselves or a community group committed to completing light tasks (an hour or less a week) and making a commitment to raise $2,500 by the end of next year.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary Track — Limit to 10 members
- Relationship-Building:
- Access to two online trainings
- One life coaching session
- Two tickets to each in-person event
- Two tickets to one of our Underground Railroad site visits
- Really, if you see something I’m doing and would like to be a part of it, just ask!
- Commitment:
- 1:1 direct outreach
- Meet bi-monthly with 24 people for connection and to carry out Institute goals
- Raise $5,000 inviting people to online and in-person events including the Black History Month Silent Auction and other gatherings (no money has to be taken from your account)
Build
- Do your own fundraiser to raise the rest
of your $5,000 goal for The Institute- Open Mic Night
- Personalized screening, training, or workshop
- Physical challenge such as walk or marathon
- Invite others to join you at a future event
Amplify
- Use your social media platforms to increase our impact
- Like and comment on the posts
- Reshare the posts for reach
- Get 100 people to join the movement on SubStack and Youtube
Educate
- Convene a group of 5 people to discuss pardons and forgiveness
- Bring along 2 people to one of the Underground Railroad site visits
- Share what you’ve learned after attending an event with 7 people
- Join one of the sacred tripes to Turtle Mountain, Canada, the Black Hills, My Medicine Man’s Spirit Lake, the Women’s Prison in North Dakota
The Mary Ann Shadd Cary track within the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists will consist of individuals representing themselves and committed to completing light tasks (2-3 hours a week) and making a commitment to raise a $5,000 contribution by the end of next year.
Dr. Jonathan Walton, Jr. Track — Limit to 5 members
This track is intended for individuals who seek a deeper connection to liberation work — including transformative justice and abolition work in real time. Also, individuals who choose this track will be mainly focused on fundraising. As a starting point, adjust the relationship-building and labor accordingly to feel authentic as an accomplice.
- Relationship-Building:
- Access to all online trainings
- Three life coaching sessions
- A presentation at your place of choice (work, community group, friends)
- Two tickets to each in person event
- Logo or name placement at three events
- Opportunity to introduce Jason at one event
- Unlimited tickets to our Underground Railroad site visits
- If you’d like to make any changes in offerings, just tap in!
- Commitment:
- Meet monthly for food & beverages and carry out all fundraising work
- Quarterly happy hour with you and two others
- Raise $10,000 inviting people to online and in-person events including the Black History Month Silent Auction and other gatherings (no money has to be taken from your account)
Build
- Do your own fundraiser to raise the rest of your $10,000 goal for The Institute
- Bowling Night
- House Party
- Secure a speaking or training gig with a group — faith based or community
Amplify
- Use your social media channels to impact our cause
- Share, comment and like posts
- Add your commentary on important issues
- Get 250 people to join the movement on SubStack and Youtube
Educate
- Convene a group of 10 people online to discuss pardons and forgiveness
- Bring along 4 people to one of the Underground Railroad site visits
- Share what you’ve learned after attending an event with 10 people
- Join two of the sacred tripes to Turtle Mountain, Canada, the Black Hills, My Medicine Man’s Spirit Lake, the Women’s Prison in North Dakota
The Dr. Jonathan Walton, Jr. track within the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists will consist of individuals representing themselves or their organization and are committed to finding deeper connection in abolition work and making a commitment to raise a $10,000 contribution by the end of next year.
Funds can be raised through a multitude of channels including personal donations, sponsorships, peer-to-peer fundraising, in-kind support that is mutually agreed upon, and by inviting people to events.
Where Does the Money Go &
What’s the Impact?
America’s incarceration rate has increased by nearly 700% since 1972. Black men are imprisoned at 5.5 times the rate of White men. The U.S. holds more incarcerated individuals than nearly any other nation on Earth. And still, people like Jason Sole — who have demonstrated growth, accountability, and community contribution — are asked to prove their humanity repeatedly. Currently, I’m waiting to be de-shackled from the State of Minnesota by way of a pardon.
- Help us cover general operating costs — lodging, travel supplies, etc.
- The Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists educates thousands across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and the Dakotas through unique political education sessions (e.g. Know Your Rights Training, Abolition 101, From Restorative Justice to Transformative Justice).
If you’re interested in learning more, drop me a note here.