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Inaugural Class of Hope & Justice Program Fellows, Graduate Assistants, and Interns

2023-2024

Dr. William Pickard

2023-2024 HOPE & JUSTICE PROGRAM LAUNCH

The NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Institute for Leadership, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment & Social Justice Institute’s Inaugural Hope & Justice Fellowship, Assistantship, and Internship Program (Hope & Justice Program) is a collaboration between the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU). The purpose of the Hope & Justice Program is to expand and strengthen the work of NCBCP in The South and nationwide, with a focus on leadership development, civics education, voting rights, racial, gender and economic justice; and economic empowerment. The Hope & Justice Program will launch on December 1, 2023 and conclude November 30, 2024.

The Hope & Justice Program offers fellowships, assistantships, and internships for undergraduate and graduate students from CAU and other Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), as well as community-based leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in impactful projects and initiatives related to black civic participation, collaborate with experts and scholars in the field, develop leadership skills, contribute to curriculum development, and conduct research on critical issues affecting communities.

The program focuses on various areas, including civil rights, voting rights, democracy, racial and economic justice, criminal justice reform, healthcare equity, environmental justice, women's rights, and digital equity. Participants will have experiential learning and research project opportunities, as well as access to leadership development training, attendance and speaking opportunities at national and regional events, and involvement in civic engagement initiatives.

Some of the specific fellowship and internship experiential learning and research projects includes the NCBCP Annual Black Youth Vote Civic Leadership & Organizing National Training Conference, NCBCP Unity 2024 “Ronald Walters” National Election Day National Command Center Project, NCBCP BWR 2024 Presidential Election Voter Guide, Annual Black Women’s Roundtable/Essence Poll, NCBCP BWR 2024 Presidential Election Voter Guide, Youth & Student Entrepreneurship Pilot Project in the Atlanta University Center Community; BWR Racial & Gender Digital Equity & Connectivity Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, 3rd Annual Black Youth Vote Gathering of Black Men & Boys Day on Capitol Hill, BWR Women in Tech Policy Series (in-person or virtual), Annual BWR Report on Black Women in the U.S. & Key States and Annual BWR Women of Power National Summit.

The NCBCP TWD Jr. Institute @ CAU provides a platform for HBCU students and community leaders to gain practical experience, and contribute to their chosen areas of interest that focused on empowering Black Americans in The South and across the country. It offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful work and contribute to the overall mission of promoting justice, equity, and equality. For more information on the NCBCP TWD Jr. Institute @ CAU visit; www.ncbcpinstitute.org.

Melanie L. Campbell

President & CEO, NCBCP, Convener of The Black Women's Roundtable

CO-FOUNDERS

Dr. George T. French, Jr.

President of Clark-Atlanta University

Meet the 2023-24 Fellows & Interns

Hope & Justice Program Inaugural Class

Social Justice

Avery Allen

Avery Allen is a graduate of Howard University, Clemson University, and a doctoral candidate in communication, culture, and media studies at Howard University.

Civic Engagement

Rachael Carroll

Rachael Carroll is from Orlando, Florida, and a 2023 graduate of Clark Atlanta University. She received her bachelor's in political science and is pursuing a master's in public administration.

Economic Empowerment

Asha Clark

Asha Clark is a graduate student in social work at Clark Atlanta University. She received her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Morehead State University.

Economic Empowerment

Zavan Croom

Zavan Croom is a senior studying business administration with a concentration in supply chain management at Clark Atlanta University.

Social Justice

Daisja R. Johnson

Daisja R. Johnson is a senior studying political science at Clark Atlanta University.

Economic Empowerment

LB Nelson IV

LB Nelson IV is a junior majoring in business administration with a dual concentration in finance and supply chain management at Clark Atlanta University.

Social Justice

Rose Smith

Rose Smith majors in public administration with a concentration in human resources management and research focus on employee engagement and diversity, equity & inclusion.

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Civic Engagement

Klaudette Spencer

Klaudette Spencer is a graduate student majoring in political science at Clark Atlanta University.

Social Justice

Tex Wambui

Tex Wambui is a graduate student majoring in public administration at Clark Atlanta University.

Upcoming Events

Our Recent Events

ABOUT THE LAUNCH & CONVENING
May 30 - June 1, 2023

"The Power of the Ballot, the Buck and the Book"

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU) officially launched the NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Institute For Leadership, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment & Social Justice and hosted the Inaugural NCBCP Southern Organizing Leadership Convening, in May 2023. The convening brought together an inter-generational and diverse group of Black leaders and allies for two-days focused on organizing, sharing strategies, sharing research, building coalitions and collaborating on long term political, economic and social justice solutions for Black America, especially in The South.

In light of the systemic and unrelenting tsunami of attacks against our rights, freedoms and power including--- civil rights, voting rights, Black political power, reproductive rights & justice, workers’ rights to organize, LGBTQ+ rights, bans against black history being taught in our public schools, attacks against historically black colleges & universities and more—the convening focused on short term collaboration and organizing opportunities to gear up for the 2024 presidential election cycle.