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 | The April 2025 edition of the AYCGL newsletter highlights the Leadership Studies Program. The Leadership Studies Program at AYCGL is dedicated to preparing the Men of Morehouse to become influential leaders committed to social justice and positive change across diverse industries. The program emphasizes navigating the complexities of leadership in a society shaped by divisions along racial, gender, political, religious, national, and cultural lines.
This issue also features Scholar of Distinction, Aniaba N’guessan, a 4th year Oprah Winfrey scholar and triple major. Mr. N’guessan is one of our outstanding international students who was born in Côte d’Ivoire and attended the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, prior to enrolling at Morehouse College. The issue also highlights the recent presentations by Walter E. Fluker, PhD, 2024-25 AYCGL Scholar-in-Residence, and Peter McLoughlin, a professor in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Politics at Queen's University Belfast.
The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership seeks to extend the legacy of Ambassador Young and expand the footprint of Morehouse into the community and the world. The Center is home to programs designed to inspire and prepare the men of Morehouse to create and implement solutions to social justice challenges and to become global leaders prepared to advance social, economic, and educational equality in the U.S. and abroad.
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| | Leadership Studies Program |
| | Leadership Innovation Lab |
|  | The Leadership Innovation Lab is dedicated to researching and implementing technological solutions that address social challenges affecting underserved communities. Comprising student teams guided by faculty advisors, the lab provides opportunities for students to join existing teams or propose new leadership initiatives. The program follows the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) model—a curricular framework that enables students from freshman to senior year to collaborate on long-term projects aligned with faculty research interests. Participants receive one academic credit hour per semester and financial support for study abroad experiences.
This semester, the primary focus is exploring digital methods to enable financial contributions to unhoused individuals. According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in January 2023, approximately 653,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness in the United States on a single night. For perspective, the city of Atlanta has a population of 510,823—highlighting that the number of unhoused individuals nationwide exceeds the population of a major U.S. city.
A significant barrier faced by unhoused individuals is the lack of access to traditional banking services or digital payment systems. Factors such as the absence of a permanent address, government-issued identification, and difficulty maintaining minimum account balances prevent many from participating in the digital economy. In some cases, individuals avoid financial institutions due to negative past experiences or a general distrust of the banking system.
This issue is exacerbated by the country’s shift toward a cashless economy. As of 2024, approximately 40% of Americans report carrying cash only occasionally or not at all, and 41% state they do not use cash for purchases in a typical week. While around 60% still carry some cash, it is primarily for emergencies rather than daily transactions. Younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials—are driving the transition to digital payments through mobile wallets, contactless cards, and peer-to-peer platforms such as Venmo and Cash App.
Many unhoused individuals rely on the generosity of passersby in public spaces to meet daily needs. However, as fewer people carry cash, the ability to give spontaneously is diminishing. Even those who wish to help may lack the means to do so. This growing gap risks excluding unhoused individuals from the evolving financial ecosystem.
The Leadership Innovation Lab is actively developing solutions that enable everyday people to provide financial support to unhoused individuals through secure and accessible digital platforms. By integrating the unhoused population into the digital payment system, we aim to promote inclusive generosity and ensure that no one is left behind as society continues its transition toward cashless transactions. |
| | Leadership Studies Capstone Projects |
|  | We are proud to recognize four graduating seniors who are completing their capstone projects as Leadership Studies Minors: Kristopher Forward, Jackson Gleser, Jace La Saint, and Tristan St. John.
The capstone project is designed for Leadership Studies minors who have successfully completed their coursework to apply leadership theories and concepts from their classes, co-curricular experiences, and personal or professional backgrounds to address some of the world’s most pressing issues. Each student develops and implements a project that was approved by the department chair.
Mr. Kristopher Forward is exploring how first responders cope with mental health challenges and how their coping mechanisms can be improved. His objective is to gain deeper insight into the psychological strains experienced by professionals such as firefighters, police officers, veterans, and paramedics.
Mr. Jackson Gleser is researching ways to encourage current Morehouse College students to develop a habit of giving back to the College financially while they are still enrolled. He believes that if students cultivate a spirit of generosity during their time at Morehouse, they will be more likely to become significant donors after graduation—helping sustain and strengthen Morehouse’s mission through a committed alumni base.
Mr. Jace La Saint launched the HTD Leadership Academy in honor of his cousin, Hugh Thomas Douglas, a member of the Morehouse College Class of 2025. Hugh was known for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the Morehouse community. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident on Labor Day 2023 during his junior year. The HTD First-Year Leadership Academy was created to carry on Hugh’s legacy by nurturing leadership among incoming students and promoting the values he exemplified: Honesty, Teachability, and Determination.
Mr. Tristan St. John is developing a project that educates the public on the intersections of gentrification, the school-to-prison pipeline, and mass incarceration. His work highlights how gentrification can lead to school closures or rezoning, displacing low-income students from familiar environments and increasing dropout risks—factors that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. Additionally, he examines how new residents in gentrifying neighborhoods often advocate for increased policing, which can result in a stronger law enforcement presence in schools that predominantly serve Black and Brown students. Mr. St. John plans to share his findings through a public seminar or research paper. |
| | AYCGL Scholar of Distinction |
| This recurring feature of the Andrew Young Center newsletter highlights an outstanding Morehouse scholar who exemplifies excellence through character, academic achievement, and service to the community. |
|  | This issue features Oprah Winfrey scholar Aniaba Jean-Baptiste N’guessan, ‘26. Mr. N’guessan is a fourth year Economics, Computer Science, and Mathematics triple major from Côte d’Ivoire.
Born and raised in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Aniaba’s academic journey began at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, before bringing him to Morehouse—which he fondly calls the "African American Leadership Academy." At Morehouse, Aniaba has developed into a leader deeply invested in the advancement of the global Black community, particularly through education, economic development, and cross-cultural coalition formation.
Aniaba has participated in transformative study abroad experiences in Panamá and the United Kingdom, where he explored Afro-diasporic culture, history, and identity. His time in Panamá, in particular, deepened his understanding of the historical presence and contributions of Africans in Latin America, reinforcing his mission to bridge African and Afro-diasporic communities worldwide. His reflections on language, cultural identity, and economic systems, shaped by his travels, continue to influence his advocacy for sustainable development and education in the Global South.
A proud Oprah Winfrey Scholar, Aniaba has served as president of the Morehouse International Students Organization for the past two years, providing support to students from Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and France to ensure that international students have access to the social, emotional, and professional resources needed for success at Morehouse and beyond. Having lived and studied in diverse environments, these experiences fuel his lifelong commitment to opening schools in the Global South—institutions that will identify, develop, and connect young leaders across the region to tackle its most pressing challenges. Aniaba’s journey is a testament to the power of education, cultural exchange, and strategic leadership in shaping a more connected and empowered global Black community.
Aniaba shared reflections from his most recent study abroad experience with the MPAGE Panama Program here. |
|  | Aniaba and other Morehouse scholars in Panama as part of the MPAGE II - Panama Study Abroad Program (January 2025) |
| | AYCGL Ethical Leadership Teach-in by Walter E. Fluker, PhD |
|  | This semester, AYCGL Scholar-in-Residence Walter Fluker, Ph.D., is leading a two-part Teach-In on ethical leadership titled, Wake Up Running! Public Conversations on Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership for New Rhythms and Times. |
| | On March 19, 2025, Dr. Fluker delivered the first of his two lectures, titled “Keep Awake! Howard Thurman on the Run: Creating and Cultivating Inward Spaces of Democratic Freedom of Spirit, Body, and Mind.” In this lecture, Dr. Fluker examined the life and philosophy of Howard Thurman, presenting him as a Black mystic perpetually “on the run”—not in flight, but as an act of spiritual resistance and a pursuit of holistic freedom. Dr. Fluker positioned Thurman’s inward journey as a crucial democratic practice, highlighting the importance of cultivating inner spaces as foundational to societal transformation.
Dr. Fluker is the Distinguished Professor at the Howard Thurman Center at Hartford University for Religion and Peace and Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership. He recently served at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and is Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership (formerly the Martin Luther King, Jr. Chair) at Boston University. He also serves as the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project.
Dr. Fluker was the founding Executive Director of the Leadership Center and the Coca-Cola Professor of Leadership Studies at Morehouse College. Among his many honors, Dr. Fluker was named a 2023 recipient of the Roosevelt Institute’s Freedom of Worship Award, joining fellow laureates Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the late Ady Barkan, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, and Tracie D. Hall, former Executive Director of the American Library Association. Most recently, on May 19, 2024, Boston University awarded Dr. Fluker its highest honor, the Doctor of Laws degree, where he also delivered the Baccalaureate Address to the Class of 2024. |
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| | Leadership Lecture: John Hume, the Irish Civil Rights Movement, and the Influence of M.L. King, Jr.By Peter McLoughlin, PhD |
|  | On February 26, 2025, Peter McLoughlin, PhD, a professor in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Politics at Queen's University Belfast, delivered a compelling lecture to our Leadership Studies students on John Hume’s pivotal role in the Irish Civil Rights Movement and the Northern Ireland Peace Process. He highlighted the profound influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and drew powerful parallels between the civil rights struggles in the United States and Ireland. Through an exploration of Hume’s unwavering commitment to nonviolent leadership, justice, and cross-cultural inspiration, the talk offered a profound reflection on the interconnectedness of global civil rights movements and the vital role of moral courage and visionary leadership in advancing social change.
Dr. McLoughlin specializes in contemporary political history in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the Northern Ireland conflict and peace process. His most notable work in this area is his book John Hume and the Revision of Irish Nationalism (Manchester University Press, 2010), which examines the legacy of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His research also explores the contributions of international and diaspora actors—particularly the European Union and the United States—to peace-making efforts. As a Fulbright Scholar at Boston College, he investigated the influence of the U.S. government and Irish-American communities on the Northern Ireland conflict and subsequent peace process. |
| | | April 9, 2025: AYCGL Social Justice Leadership Teach-in. AYCGL Scholar-in-Residence, Walter Fluker, Ph.D., will present a two-part Teach-in on ethical leadership, Wake Up Running! Public Conversations on Spirituality, Ethics and Leadership for New Rhythms and Times. Session 2 is entitled: Run to the Mountain! Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Run: Creating and Cultivating Democratic Spaces in National and Global Communities of The World House. The 2nd installment of the series will take place Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 4:00 pm in the African American Hall of Fame.
April 10, 2025: (INSIDE) ART (OUTSIDE). Hosted by the AYC-HEP Student Ambassadors, (INSIDE) ART (OUTSIDE) will feature art created by incarcerated men inside three of the prisons served by the AYC-Higher Education in Prisons Program: Metro Reentry, Burruss Correctional, and FCI. The event will feature visual and interactive art, spoken word, poetry, music, video, a one-act play, and several inspirational speakers. Formerly incarcerated students, family members of current students, and Morehouse-affiliated students will be in attendance. The event will take place Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6:00pm in Sale Hall Chapel. Appetizers will be available @ 5:30.
May 18 – June 1, 2025. Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program. Sixteen Oprah Winfrey scholars will participate in a transformative study abroad experience in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pilanesberg, and Cape Town, South Africa. Scholars will learn the extraordinary history of colonization, Apartheid, and revolution in South Africa through visits to historic sites, universities, and organizations documenting the history of Apartheid and preserving the legacy of the fight for freedom and justice in South Africa. |
| | |  | The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership’s video podcast More Conversations was initiated in the fall 2020 and aims to put scholars and subject matter experts in conversation about topics that are important to both the collegiate and broader communities. |
| | | A Note of Gratitude to Our Sponsors |
| The work of the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, including The Coca Cola Company, Bank of America, Ms. Oprah Winfrey and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, The Julian Grace Foundation, Delta Airlines, the Microsoft Corporation, and the Cigna Foundation. We wish to thank these donors for their sustained support of the AYCGL. |
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