Sponsorship Information for Cohort 5 Leaders (2025-2026)

 
 
 

Program Update:

Accepting sponsorships for leaders joining Cohort 5 (2025 - 2026) until Spring 2025. Sponsor now!

Program Description:

The John Robert Lewis Leaders Program is designed for corporate professionals 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 Leaders will become part of a nationwide network of 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.

 

How to select my leader

Historically participants have been of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences, who are either on management track or heading that way. A JRL Leader is someone who exhibits leadership skills and the company identifies them as a future C-suite member or Associate Executive.

    • Communicative and an attentive listener

    • Resilient  

    • Strong, inclusive, and inspiring

    • Strategic visionary

    • Efficient and results-oriented

    • Flexible and skilled in change management

    • Principled and influential

    • Collaborative

    • Is viewed by peers as a leader

    • Associate General Counsel

    • Corporate Governance and Securities Attorney

    • Director of Financial Planning

    • Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

    • Giving Manager

    • Justice Reform Initiative Director

    • Policy Analyst

    • Product Cost Associate Director

    • Program Manager

    • Project Business Director

    • R&D Engineer

    • Senior Associate for Government Relations

    • Social and Community Impact Manager

    • State and Local Government Industry Manager

    • Strategic Engagements Lead

    • Strategic Learning and Development Director

    • View Past Leaders

    • Competition Policy and Market Regulation

    • Corporate Giving

    • Direct to Consumer Planning

    • Engineering

    • Enterprise Services

    • Global Medical Affairs

    • Global Trade

    • Government Affairs

    • Health, Safety, and Environment

    • Policy and Government Relations

    • Supply and Demand Management

    • Supply Chain Management

    • View Past Leaders

 

corporations who have sponsored leaders

 

Program Outline for 2025-2026

May 2025 (TBD), 7-8 pm ET Virtual Orientation Webinar via Zoom

July 15-17, 2025 Washington, D.C. Opening Convocation

Leaders will participate in a 3-day opening program together with the Scholars & Fellows near the White House and National Mall. FPI is assembling exemplary leaders, instructors, and practitioners to teach and discuss the merits of the nonviolence philosophy from a historical perspective; define principles and strategies; and identify their applicability to modern times, current issues, and everyday life. While in D.C., Leaders will also have the opportunity to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and other sites significant to the African American Freedom struggle.

6 Virtual Conversations on Racial, Economic, and Social Inequities:

Program participants will join 6 two-hour sessions in September ‘25, November ‘25, January ‘26, February ‘26 April ‘26, and May ‘26 (exact dates TBD) exploring American history of race and public policy with policymakers, practitioners, and academic researchers. These sessions take place on Sunday afternoons from 3-5pm ET. Special guests - political leaders and subject matter experts – are invited to discuss the following the topics (*topics subject to change).

March 4-8, 2026, Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage

Leaders will have an opportunity to join FPI’s Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage honoring communities of ordinary people who did extraordinary things to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

Mid-July 2026 (TBD), Washington, D.C. Closing Convocation

Program participants will regather in Washington, D.C. for the final part of the program. They will have the opportunity to present their oral history projects, meet with their Senators and Representatives, visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and pass the torch to the new cohort of Leaders.

Essential References

There are many rich primary and secondary sources that will come up during program discussions. We will provide a list of selected references, which will provide historical, philosophical, and spiritual context to John Lewis’ leadership and that of some of his close contemporaries. We encourage Leaders to explore the readings, videos, podcasts, and films in advance so they will be able to engage more fully with our program guests throughout the course of the program.

Oral History Project

One of the most meaningful parts of this program is the opportunity for every Leader to engage in an Oral History Project. The goal of this project is not only to connect more deeply into the work of people in our own communities, but to learn through their stories – the challenges, struggles, opportunities, and triumphs of those who have been engaged in creating positive societal change. Leaders will have the opportunity to present their project during the closing convocation in July 2026.

Sponsor a John Robert Lewis Leader Today!

For questions about the John Robert Lewis Leaders Program please contact Jen Jones at jen@redriverco.net

 
 
 

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