Atlanta City Council Celebrates Launch of John Lewis Fellowship

July 9, 2015 — Humanity in Action and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., are pleased to announce that the City Council of Atlanta has proclaimed July 9, 2015, to be The John Lewis Fellowship Day.

The proclamation was presented to the program staff and Fellows earlier today and highlights the unique opportunity that the fellowship provides not only for the city of Atlanta, but for the Fellows and their respective communities in the United States and abroad.

Pictured: The Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council celebrating The John Lewis Fellowship Day. 

The 2015 John Lewis Fellowship brings together 29 Fellows from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States to explore race and civil rights, immigration and Native American issues in Atlanta, Georgia. The inaugural program runs from July 5 to August 1, 2015. 

Program Schedule Speakers Learn More

The John Lewis Fellows will attend discussions with renowned scholars and activists at The Center, visit historical sites around Atlanta and engage in discussions on a range of political and social issues. They will also draw upon the immense resources of The Center and contribute to its extensive and innovative outreach initiatives. 

Key speakers for the John Lewis Fellowship include Roslyn Pope, (author of An Appeal for Human Rights), Dr. C.T. Vivian (Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient) and David Levering Lewis (Pulitzer Prize-winning author). To learn more about the fellowship and to be notified when applications open for the 2016 program, please click here. 

The John Lewis Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation provided through The Center. 

Pictured: 2015 John Lewis Fellows and program staff at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Text of Atlanta City Council Proclamation 

In Honor of The John Lewis Fellowship, 

Organized by: Humanity in Action and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc.

Whereas, The fellowship brings together American and European university students to explore diversity and minority rights in the United States, meeting with leaders from diverse fields to discuss race, the Civil Rights Movement, immigration, national identity and Native American issues; and

Whereas, The fellowship seeks to educate, connect and inspire a global network of young people committed to promoting human rights and active citizenship in their own communities and around the world; and a long the way highlighting different models of action to instill an impetus to remedy injustice; and

Whereas, The objective of the John Lewis Fellowship is to facilitate a collective exploration of the social and political roots of discrimination, as well as to create a forum where potential solutions can be considered, discussed and where Fellows from diverse background connect with one another and with established leaders; and

Whereas, Humanity in Action Senior Fellows are active citizens who advance diversity, democracy and human rights around the world, by educating emerging leaders and connecting them to a powerful global network of more than 1,400 “Senior Fellows”; So with this Proclamation we thank you for inspiring action and meaningful change throughout the world.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that, We, the members of the Atlanta City Council and on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta hereby proclaim this day, the Ninth Day of July, 2015 “The John Lewis Fellowship Day” in our great city.

Atlanta City Council Members