The Faith & Politics Institute’s 2022 July program was a great success! We were so happy to get the inaugural Cohort of John Lewis Scholars and Fellows back together, as well as welcoming the second Cohort of Scholars, Fellows, and Rising Leaders. Over the course of four days in Washington DC, we visited many landmarks and historic sites, heard from amazing speakers, and came together as a beloved community, forming new friendships and strengthening our FPI family.
Day one was immediately full of excitement and joy as the inaugural Cohort of Scholars and Fellows reunited for the first time since FPI’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage in March. That evening we were joined by Michael Collins, who was John Lewis’s chief of staff for 20 years and is currently special assistant to the President of the United States, to listen to the Scholars and Fellows’ oral history presentations. The oral history projects are one of the most meaningful parts of the program, giving the Scholars, Fellows, and Rising Leaders the opportunity to connect more deeply into the work of people in our own communities, learning the stories of those who have been engaged in creating positive social change.
On the morning of day two, Cohort one visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Once the new Cohort arrived in the afternoon, we all heard from Ms. Judy Richardson and Ms. Jennifer Lawson, who reflected on their leadership roles within SNCC and how their experiences during the Civil Rights Movement shaped their remarkable careers.
That evening the group gathered at Consumer Technology Association’s Innovation House for a reception. We heard from Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Fred Upton, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and Cohort one Scholar Travis Waters and Fellow Nourel-Hoda Eidy about their reflections on the program.
Day three was packed with exciting new experiences. It started with a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to reflect on the wisdom of those who have gone before us and the strategies and practices we can integrate into the challenges of our current context. We then had lunch at the U.S. Capitol with the Honorable Cheryl Johnson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, and met Majority Whip James Clyburn, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and Congressman Ruben Gallego. This opportunity to have dialogue between program participants and nonpartisan political leaders, grounded in Lewis’s nonviolent philosophy and King’s six principles, is one of the strengths of the program that will allow participants to become the most effective changemakers in their local communities.
After lunch Cohort one stayed at the Capitol for the Mary McLeod Bethune Symposium to learn about her new statue unveiled that day, the first statue of a person of color nominated by a state (Florida) in the statuary hall. Cohort two visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In the evening James Laurie of the Flobots got everyone singing and clapping along with his session on creating current music of the movement and we listened to the soulful tunes of Vaughn Ambrose’s jazz quartet. Through their presentations, performances, and songs these incredible musicians helped us deepen our understanding and appreciation for the vital role that music has played in American Freedom Movements for the last 400 years and the strong role that it continues to play today.
Lastly everyone in the room felt the love and sense of community as certificates were given to the inaugural Cohort of John Lewis Scholars and Fellows. We are so proud of every single one of you!
The fourth and last day of the July program came so quickly, everybody wished it was longer! But there was enough time for a few more things. That morning we had the honor of hearing from Brenda Jones, primary speechwriter and lead communications strategist for the late Rep. John Lewis and current Senior Presidential Speechwriter. Her experiences with john Lewis were inspiring and she shared some great advice on careers in communications and politics.
As the program drew to a close the inaugural cohort shared reflections and guidance with Cohort two on how to make the most of this incredible opportunity. Although they have graduated from the John Lewis Scholars and Fellows Program the inaugural Cohort will always be a part of the Faith & Politics family and we can’t wait to see what incredible things they do in the future! As for Cohort two we had such a wonderful time getting to know you all and are excited to see you again virtually and for the Congressional Civil Rights pilgrimage in March!
Thank you everyone for participating in the Faith & Politics Institute’s John Robert Lewis July 2022 program and as you continue engaging in the work of building Beloved Community, don’t forget Ella Baker’s words: “Give light and people will find the way.” You already have the light – let it shine!
