Massachusetts teenagers learn about social justice with help from Project 351 and Celtics

ALLSTON – While the Celtics were at the White House Thursday celebrating their championship, high school students from across Massachusetts gathered in their practice gym in Allston to discuss race, religion, and discrimination. 

Social justice workshops

More than 100 students from 24 different towns participated in the Playbook Initiative at the Auerbach Center, presented by New Balance, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, and the nonprofit organization Project 351. 

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the students participated in workshops about social justice issues, aiming to educate them on how to intervene in uncomfortable situations. 

“So they kind of reflect on, OK, what is the safest, most brave path that I can take in this moment,” said Noor Al-Saad, Playbook program manager at Project 351.  

Up stander instead of bystander

After attending today’s event, Chelsea Barnor, a participant of the program, told WBZ-TV she felt empowered to unify her own school by becoming an “up stander, rather than just a bystander.”

“I think it’s really important that we shed light on things in our communities and address these situations that can be hard to talk about,” Barnor said. 

Today’s event was a training session for high school students like her to lead difficult discussions in their own communities. 

“We hope incrementally by like equipping these young students with that ability, that they can change their school climate and culture year after year,” Al-Saad said. 

In January, the high school trainers will be paired with middle school students for a mentorship program.