I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
Stand Up For Justice
Rooted in the Spirit of Ubuntu, we’re building a Beloved Community grounded in Truth, Beauty,
and Goodness — guided by equity, compassion, and collective healing.
Our Journey of Transformation
From local action to global movement, a story of hope, healing, and unity.
In this moment, we lived the truth of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
Together, we began rewriting the story of what justice, community, and compassion can look like.
Our Beginning
Stand Up For Justice (SUJ) was born in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.
What began as a local call for justice grew into a movement for unity when our founders
joined with youth leaders and local law enforcement to turn protest into progress.
Through ongoing dialogue with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, SUJ
helped launch the Blue Envelope and Additional Registry Initiatives — improving safety
and understanding for individuals with autism and special needs.
Recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in May 2021, SUJ continues to use creative activism, music, and the arts to educate, uplift, and unite. Through Martin Luther King (MLK) Day and Juneteenth celebrations, we keep Dr. King’s message alive:
Justice through Compassion.
In 2022, our movement expanded globally through Ubuntu International, inspired by the award-winning documentary
The Spirit of Ubuntu, filmed across 10 African countries.
The journey revealed remarkable individuals and organizations living the truth of “I Am Because We Are.”
Today, Ubuntu International unites Ubuntu Hubs across Africa — empowering women and youth through arts, entrepreneurship, permaculture, and leadership — creating sustainable pathways to peace, purpose, and prosperity.
The Spirit of Ubuntu Documentary
Divine Mother's Love
Born from the Spirit of Ubuntu, Divine Mothers Love unites Indigenous women from around the world who carry the wisdom of the Earth and the compassion of the Divine Feminine.
Through music, storytelling, and healing practices, they nurture balance, creativity, and peace — guiding communities toward spiritual awakening and unity. Together, they remind the world that true power flows from love, not domination — and that when women rise, humanity is restored.
Edentia Wellness
Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Rooted in compassion and service, Edentia Wellness empowers individuals to reclaim their health and well-being through
holistic healing, education, and medical freedom.
We believe true wellness is a human right — accessible, affordable, and guided by spirit. Through global programs,
natural therapies, and community care, Edentia Wellness
restores balance between people and the planet, nurturing harmony in body, mind, and soul.
Our Impact Memories
From California to East Africa, our youth programs inspire a
new generation of changemakers to learn, lead, and live in the Spirit of Ubuntu where every child’s light uplifts the whole.
From Juneteenth to Ubuntu Day our festivals and events use creativity as a catalyst for healing, awareness, and unity — transforming celebration into collective action for justice and peace.
Through our community gardens, we transform unused spaces into living classrooms for sustainability, empowerment, and collective care.
In collaboration with Conadepoa and Divine Mother’s Love, our women’s gatherings create sacred spaces for healing, empowerment, and shared leadership — celebrating the strength, creativity, and spiritual power of women leading change across the world.
Through partnerships with global movements such as URI, Charter for Compassion, Evolutionary Leaders, Unity Earth, We the World, and the Global Peace Tribe, we strengthen the Spirit of Ubuntu — linking local action to a global community of peacebuilders.
In collaboration with Conadepoa and Divine Mother’s Love, our women’s gatherings create sacred spaces for healing, empowerment, and shared leadership — celebrating the strength, creativity, and spiritual power of women leading change across the world.
More About Our Movement
Our Founders' Journey
Stand Up For Justice was co-founded by Antoinette Rootsdawtah and Pato Banton, whose combined experiences in social justice, music, and spiritual leadership created the foundation for this movement.
Antoinette’s background in community organizing and holistic healing, combined with Pato’s decades of music activism and peace work, formed the unique blend of creative activism and spiritual wisdom that defines SUJ.
Their shared commitment to proving that “love is the greatest thing in the world” (from The Urantia Book) continues to guide every initiative.
The Ubuntu Philosophy
Ubuntu is an ancient African philosophy that translates to “I am because we are.” It emphasizes our interconnectedness and shared humanity.
This principle guides all our work: from community dialogues in California to women’s empowerment programs in Africa, we recognize that true change happens when we work together.
Mission and Vision
Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a culture of love, fairness, and truth — dismantling systems of harm while uplifting the voices, stories, and creative power of those too often unheard. We celebrate our shared humanity through love and understanding. Through our network — Ubuntu International, Divine Mothers Love, and Edentia Wellness — we champion creative, spiritual, and holistic pathways to justice, wellness, and unity.
Vision
We envision a Beloved Community where justice is unbiased, wellness is accessible, and every human being is treated with dignity, empathy, and equality. A world where art, spirit, and action come together to remind us that “I Am Because We Are.
Our Values
- Love in action through nonviolent social change
- Fairness, dignity, and belonging for all people
- Healing, wellness, and freedom of choice in health
- Honoring women and the Divine Feminine as nurturers of balance, creativity, and life
- The transformative power of art, music, and storytelling
- Spiritual unity expressed through service, collaboration, and Ubuntu
- Restorative justice through compassion, truth, and community healing
Our Impact
Measurable change in communities worldwide
Stand Up For Justice
Grassroots movement for creative activism and community building
Founded 2021
- MLK Day Celebrations
- Juneteenth Events
- Community Dialogues
- MLK Day Celebrations
- Blue Envelope Program
Ubuntu International
Global empowerment network across Africa and beyond
Founded 2022
- Ubuntu Hubs
- Women's Empowerment
- Sustainable Farming
- Arts Education
Divine Mother's Love
Sacred alliance honoring the Divine Feminine and ancestral wisdom
Founded 2023
- Sound Healings
- Global Gatherings
- Mentorship
- Sacred Ceremonies
Edentia Wellness
Holistic well-being, medical freedom, and spiritual wholeness
Founded 2021
- Plant Medicine
- Nutrition Guidance
- Sound Therapy
- Wellness Education
The Challenge We Face Together
We face systems that divide rather than connect, inequities that silence the voiceless, and social wounds that cry out for healing. Yet we also know that within each of us lives the power to create change — to turn pain into purpose, and separation into solidarity.
SUJ stands as a bridge between worlds — between the spiritual and the social, the personal and the global.
Through music, art, storytelling, education, and holistic wellness, we are proving that love is not just a feeling — it is the most powerful force for justice, healing, and transformation in our time.
Together, we are building a Beloved Community where healing, justice, and unity become the way of life.
From justice to wellness, from love to global unity — we are one movement, many expressions. Rooted in Truth, Beauty & Goodness, we walk together toward a healed and compassionate world.
“Devote your life to proving that love is the greatest thing in the world.”
Frequently Asked Questions
The Spirit of Ubuntu is an award-winning film produced by Ubuntu International that captures the essence of Ubuntu — “I Am Because We Are.”
Filmed across 10 African countries, it features real stories of communities embodying unity, creativity, and hope.
The documentary continues to inspire global partnerships and the growth of Ubuntu Hubs throughout Africa and beyond.
Edentia Wellness was born from our founder’s personal healing journey after choosing a holistic path to overcome cancer — saying no to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Through faith, nutrition, and natural medicine, she discovered that true wellness is freedom — the right to heal on your own terms.
Today, Edentia empowers women and families to make informed choices about their health and well-being.
There are many ways to be part of this movement:
Volunteer at local events or Ubuntu Hubs.
Join our wellness or women’s empowerment programs.
Host a Spirit of Ubuntu screening or workshop in your community.
Donate or partner with us to expand Ubuntu Hubs and wellness outreach worldwide.
Together, we can build the Beloved Community — one act of love at a time.
Stand Up For Justice (SUJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit born in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.
What began as a local call for justice in Lake Elsinore became a national and global movement for unity.
We bring people together through dialogue, creative activism, and community programs that promote peace, empathy, and equality.
These community safety initiatives were created in collaboration with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to improve communication between law enforcement and individuals with autism, disabilities, and special needs.
They stand as examples of how dialogue and compassion can replace fear and misunderstanding.