The Memorial Foundation, builders of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, announced today its third Social Justice Fellows Program cohort. The Foundation will engage fifty emerging leaders nationwide through a virtual eight-week curriculum centered around advocacy, community organizing and public policy. Fellows will learn to build a community of support with like-minded leaders, explore high-impact practices that move communities to activism and develop an understanding of leadership for long-term sustainable community change.
“The road from protest to policy requires a fresh generation of bold leaders,” said Harry E. Johnson Sr., President and CEO of the Memorial Foundation. “Since our inaugural class in 2021, we have discovered fellows who not only embody the principles of democracy, justice, hope, and love espoused by Dr. King but also serve as beacons of inspiration for others. The Social Justice Fellows program has helped many grow their ability to pursue Dr. King’s vision of equality and we are thrilled to welcome our third class.”
The Fellows Program will feature four key components: a distinguished lecture series; a personal learning journey to focus on a key area of interest and practical application; a capstone project focused on building a movement for a current issue at the local, regional or national level; and concluding with a capstone program in Washington, D.C. for an in-person Congressional component of the Fellowship focusing on social justice and public policy. Acclaimed journalist Roland Martin, journalist and communication specialist Jeff Johnson and President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women Shavon Arline-Bradley will host the distinguished lecture series for the Fellows Program, which will feature dialogue with national leaders including:
At the conclusion of the program, the fellows will have new experiences and skills they can take back to communities to assist them in creating positive change.
The 2024 Social Justice Fellows include: