The John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program is designed for undergraduate (Scholars) and graduate students (Fellows) to examine Lewis's nonviolent philosophy from a historical perspective; define its principles and strategies; and identify their applicability to modern times and movements, current issues, and everyday life. The JRL Scholars & Fellows will become a nationwide network of emerging leaders who will be inspired to create positive societal change from the revolutionary nonviolent perspective that was employed with success in the Civil Rights Movement.
A competitive application process selects twenty students per year who are seeking to be effective changemakers in civic life through their engagement in an applied learning program of nonviolent social impact philosophy that grounded John Lewis.
The goal of the John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program is to build a network of young leaders who are inspired by the moral leadership of John Lewis, educated, and empowered to use King's principles and strategies of nonviolence, and committed to applying these competencies to become changemakers in their local communities.
The Program is 12 months long and intended for students studying full time. The Program includes:
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Two fully paid trips to Washington, D.C. for Scholars & Fellows to connect with representatives from national, state, and local governments, businesses and nonprofits engaged in social impact work
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Participation in the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage
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Virtual Programs throughout the year where students engage with thought leaders on issues such as: dignity of work, housing inequities, the rural and urban divides, the legacy of enslavement to mass incarceration, and health disparities
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Each Scholar & Fellow will engage in an oral history project. The goal of the project is for students to connect with a mentor in their academic or professional field and learn through their stories – the challenges, struggles, opportunities, and triumphs of those who have been engaged in creating positive societal change.
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Each Scholar & Fellow will receive a $2,000 Stipend
