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| The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership continues the work of the Leadership Center as it 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.
This issue highlights AYCGL Scholar of Distinction, Jordan Freeman, ‘26, as well as Aniaba N’guessan, an Oprah Winfrey scholar who was recently selected as a 2026 Rhodes Scholar, the sixth Morehouse student to earn this distinction.
The January issue also highlights the programs of the AYCGL’s Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis, including recent AYCGL Scholar in Residence, David Neita, the Social Justice Scholars Program, and AYCGL community partnerships.
This year marks the 30-year anniversary of the establishment of The Leadership Center at Morehouse College. The Leadership Center, later integrated with the Andrew Young Center for International Affairs and renamed the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership, was founded to offer a Leadership Studies Program, lecture series, and other initiatives to advance the mission to develop social justice-focused, ethical leaders. The Center continues this important mission today. |
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| | | 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 month, Jordan Freeman, ‘26, an Oprah Winfrey scholar majoring in Education is featured. |
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| Jordan Freeman is an aspiring Black Education and Literacy scholar who utilizes the art of storytelling, knowledge of children, explorations of ancestral knowledge, and analysis of Black literature and history to guide his passion for uncovering the history of Black education. Jordan aligns his practice as a scholar and educator with anti-racist educational frameworks and culturally responsive pedagogy. Jordan’s research interests include Black literacies, Black teacher traditions, Black educational institutions, Black readership, and culturally responsive literacy instruction. Jordan studies Early Childhood Education at Morehouse College. He aspires to attain a graduate degree in the fields of Literacy and Reading Education. |
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Beyond the Halls: Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program & the Legacy of Black Education
I stand in the legacy of Black learners, whose unwavering belief in their ability to be educated despite the logics of chattel slavery and inferiority gave rise to institutions of excellence that have reared generations of Black scholars and leaders. I must begin my narrative by recognizing this legacy because memory, including moments unbeknownst to me, acts alongside the present to shape who I am as a human and scholar. The spirit of those who gathered in secret places to teach their craving minds, who physically and mentally escaped from their enslavement, is the spirit I embody as an educator, a man of Morehouse, and an Oprah Winfrey scholar.
When I received my acceptance to Morehouse College and decided to pursue Education as a major, I was unaware of the rich history of Black education that provided a roadmap for realizing my educational aspirations. I knew, coming into Morehouse, that I wanted to nurture children's intellects; to guide them in recognizing their own genius. The legacy of Black education became visible to me as I scoured the shelves of the AUC Robert Woodruff Library. The creative work of authors and illustrators of Black children's literature, the scholarship and philosophies of Black education scholars, and the moving novels by Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and others exposed me to the tapestry of Black thought and experience I desired to learn from. To learn in a decidedly Black institution under the guidance of Black professors who often taught with Black idioms and with peers whose governance of their relationships was communal has liberated my mind.
I am ever grateful to the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program not only for financial support but also for the brotherhood I have cultivated through community meetings and service opportunities. I view the Oprah Winfrey Scholars to be a vital resister to anti-Blackness; it is not expected for young Black men to be disciplined in thought and to lead through service. This program, housed at a Black institution, embodies the dreams of those who first gathered in Springfield Baptist Church to learn. Through the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program, I have gained access to global citizenship. I have been exposed to international leaders and concepts that broaden what I believe is possible, similar to when I opened my acceptance to Morehouse, first explored the shelves of the AUC library, and got lost in the memory of Morehouse College. My responsibility as an educator blessed by Morehouse and OWSP is to share what has been cultivated within me with the students I am charged with educating. The values of Morehouse College must go beyond the walls of Morehouse; our ancestors did not develop the courage to learn and establish the educational tradition at Morehouse so that the contemporary Morehouse community could place limits on their leadership and service. The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program continues to push those limits.
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| | Aniaba N’guessan, Oprah Winfrey ScholarNamed 2026 Rhodes Scholar |
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| In November 2025, Aniaba Jean-Baptiste N’guessan, ‘26, an Economics, Computer Science, and Mathematics triple major from Côte d’Ivoire, was named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar. Born and raised in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Aniaba’s academic journey began at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa and continued at 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.
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.
Aniaba is a Research Assistant at Stanford University, where he works with faculty in economics on projects at the intersection of technology, and decision-making. His work examines how people make choices under uncertainty, how expectations shape reported experiences, and how strategic decision-making influences collective outcomes. This research experience has further strengthened his interest in using rigorous quantitative tools to address real-world economic and social challenges.
Aniaba has also participated in transformative study abroad experiences in South Africa, Panamá, and the United Kingdom, where he explored Afro-diasporic culture, history, and identity. 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.
As a Rhodes Scholar, Aniaba will pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford during the 2026–27 academic year.
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 faith, education, cultural exchange, and strategic leadership in shaping a more connected and empowered global Black community. |
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| | The Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis |
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| The Institute of Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis is led by Dr. Sinead Younge, David Packard Endowed Chair in Science and Professor of Psychology. The major initiatives of the ISJIP include the Social Justice Scholars Program, Community Partnerships including internships and mini-grants, domestic study tours, and faculty led study abroad programs. |
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| | David Neita, AYCGL Scholar in Residence in November 2025 |
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| Dave Neita is the 2025-2026 Academic Year Scholar-in-Residence for the Andrew Young Center. Mr. Neita spent one week in residence, at Morehouse College, and brought his expertise as a lawyer, poet, and lecturer specializing in culture and mental wealth. Mr. Neita is a Jamaican human rights advocate, based in London, England.
During Mr. Neita’s residence, he traveled with the Andrew Young Center to the Equal Justice initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, and gave a fireside chat featuring Oprah Winfrey Scholar, Mouhamadou Kane. Mr. Neita also visited and lectured in several classes in the Psychology, Sociology, and Africana Studies Departments, and met with numerous students during his stay on campus. Mr. Neita gave a guest lecture at Burruss Correctional Facility with Professor Winfield Murray. Mr. Neita described his visit to Morehouse College as transformative and energizing. Morehouse College students will continue to engage with Mr. Neita during study abroad programs in the United Kingdom and other future collaborations. |
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Social Justice Scholars Program |
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| The Social Justice Scholars Program was initially funded by a grant from the Cigna Foundation in 2023. Now in its fourth year, four cohorts of students have participated in the program. Social Justice Scholars are admitted into the program after a competitive application process and must complete a two semester internship at a local non-profit organization. Students represent multiple disciplines across Morehouse College including psychology, sociology, political science, and business administration. Scholars must also participate in biweekly meetings and professional development opportunities. This year, with generous funding from the Julian Grace Foundation, the Social Justice Scholars were funded to participate in the Morehouse in Ireland: Civil Rights and Social Justice Study Abroad Program, alongside other Morehouse College students, and will receive academic credit as part of the J-mester (January term). |
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Community Partnership Highlights |
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| Morehouse College has a long history of partnering with local organizations. The director of the Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis, Sinead Younge, is privileged to serve on the Board of Project Community Connections Inc (PPCI), the Georgia Coalition of Higher Education in Prison (GCHEP), and R2ISE to Recovery. Social Justice Scholars are placed in a number of sites across the Atlanta Metropolitan area including Bear Creek Middle School, the East Lake Foundation, Southern Poverty Leadership Center (SPLC), R2ISE to Recovery, Silence the Shame, and several other sites. |
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Social Justice Scholars lead and learn with Community Partners |
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| | Damaje A Smith, Political Science and Sociology Double Major, Communications Studies Minor on the Pre-Law Track, ‘27Intern with the Southern Poverty Leadership Center (SPLC) Learning about the systemic disenfranchisement of Black Americans fundamentally reframed my understanding of education. I came to realize that access to knowledge was not simply a personal achievement, but a privilege secured through generations of resistance and sacrifice. That awareness reshaped my academic journey and continues to guide my commitment to social justice, community advocacy, and public service. |
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| Jamarrea Anderson, Psychology Major, Education Studies Minor, ‘26Intern with Silence the Shame My matriculation at Morehouse College has been both transformative and deeply meaningful. As a student leader, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve in a variety of capacities, and some of my most impactful experiences have been rooted in service. As a Social Justice Scholar, I was able to gain hands-on experience within the field of psychology while also cultivating strong relationships within the Atlanta community. |
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| | Keith D. Tillett II, Sociology Major, ’28 Intern with Bear Creek Middle School I am a Howard Thurman Honors Scholar and a Social Justice Scholar. This summer, I will have the privilege of participating in the inaugural University of California, Berkeley Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity HBCU Research Program. This program is designed for scholars who aspire to pursue their PhD. During this experience, I will conduct research with faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, receive mentorship from scholars, and prepare for doctoral studies in education and the social sciences. |
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Community Partner Spotlight |
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R2ISE to Recovery Chronicles of Hope |
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| Our Stories, Our Voices premiered on October 11th and 12th, with an encore presentation on December 7th at the Actors Express Theater. Our Stories, Our Voices shared powerful stories of recovery and resiliency. The production featured four performers—Haquota Morris, Mike Ksiaskiewicz, Joe Jackson, and Robert Davis—whose stories were woven together through song, dance, movement, and poetry. This collaborative work was directed by Alexia Jones, who thoughtfully knitted these four true narratives into a transformative theatrical experience.
During the post-show talkbacks, audience members shared openly and vulnerably, reminding us just how vital recovery is within our communities. We witnessed hope, connection, and community in real time. We saw individuals access resources they deeply needed, and we saw our stories spark healing.
R2ISE Theater presented Our Stories, Our Voices through the generous support of the Fulton County Arts Council and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Without their funding and belief in this work, the production would not have been possible. Our Stories, Our Voices reaffirmed what we know to be true: art + recovery = freedom. Through storytelling and creativity, we share information, cultivate hope, educate our communities, and illuminate pathways to wellness.
Social Justice Scholars, O’Rell Roberts, Psychology Major, ‘26, and Desmond Finch, Political Science Major, ‘28, are completing internships with R2ISE to Recovery, where they assist with peer support groups for persons in recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. |
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| | | The Andrew Young Center is committed to creating and implementing programs that deepen learning and develop leadership through high impact experiences that take students out of their comfort zones, allowing them to grow as individuals and impact the broader community and world. These experiential education programs occur through programs in the United States and abroad. |
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AYCGL Equal Justice Initiative Study Tour November 1, 2025 |
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| On November 1, 2025, Morehouse scholars participated in the Equal Justice Initiative Study tour which traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to visit the EJI’s Legacy Museum, Memorial to Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. This moving educational experience conveyed the thread of racial oppression and terror that has been ever-present for Africans in America. The Museum provides a chronology of racial oppression in the United States from the Transatlantic Slave Trade and enslavement to the racial terror of lynching and mass incarceration. Ms. Sophia McDonald, an EJI attorney, shared the legal work of the Equal Justice Initiative as they fight for the rights of incarcerated children, incarcerated individuals on Death Row, and work to improve the conditions of incarcerated men and women in the state of Alabama. |
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International Education Week November 10-13, 2025 |
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| International Education Week included a dynamic series of programs designed to expand global learning and increase student engagement across campus. Students participated in cultural enrichment activities, professional development sessions, ambassador-led events, and practical preparation for global travel.
The week opened with a Capoeira workshop in partnership with Capoeira ATL, drawing students from both Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University for an immersive introduction to Afro-Brazilian martial arts and culture. This high-energy experience set a strong foundation for the rest of the week. The Office of International Education facilitated an interactive session focused on translating global experiences into compelling career narratives. Student ambassadors, DayMond Johnson & Mouhamadou Kane, shared insights and helped students connect study abroad skills with professional competencies. On Wednesday, study abroad ambassadors hosted “Study Abroad Jeopardy”, engaging more than a dozen students in an interactive format that awarded $200 in study abroad scholarships to four winners. Thursday featured a walk-in passport workshop supported by our ambassadors. Participants received guidance on application requirements and timelines.
International Education Week strengthened global awareness on campus, enhanced cross-institutional collaboration, and reinforced Morehouse’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful international engagement. |
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| | | | A Conversation with Justice Albie SachsAYCGL Leadership Lecture SeriesNovember 5, 2025 |
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| In the struggle against Apartheid, Albie Sachs was an attorney and activist who was twice detained in solitary confinement and later suffered severe injuries when Apartheid government agents detonated a bomb in his car. In 1994, President Nelson Mandela appointed Sachs to South Africa’s first Constitutional Court. He was an active participant in the writing of South Africa’s highly regarded democratic Constitution. Justice Sachs now commits his time to advocate for the rule of law and promote constitutionalism, social justice, and human rights.
During this powerful engagement with Oprah Winfrey Scholars Chris Lambry, John Gwynn, and Cameron Gaskins, Justice Sachs shared his story of activism, accomplishment, and resilience. He also discussed his judicial opinion allowing same sex marriage in South Africa. Justice Sachs discussed his legal strategies to liberate South African citizens in a manner that unites rather than creates division. |
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| | | | AYCGL/OWSP Partner with M.L. King, Jr. Center for King Day of ServiceMonday, January 19, 2026 Morehouse College For the fifth year, on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program and Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership will partner with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change to engage in a day of service on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. |
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| African American History and Heritage TourFebruary 20-22, 2026 Charleston, South Carolina The 3rd annual study tour, for Morehouse students and faculty, will take place in Charleston, South Carolina, and include visits to numerous historic sites, including the International African American Museum, the Avery Research Center at the University of Charleston, Emanuel A.M.E. Church, and the McLeod Plantation. |
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| | Washington, DC, Leadership Study TourApril 9-12, 2026 Washington, DC The AYCGL is pleased to host the Washington, DC, Leadership Study Tour. The study tour will include visits to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, Howard University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University. |
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| Office of International Education: |
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Welcome Back Mixer. Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Massey 440 OIE will host a Welcome Back Mixer for students who participated in Fall 2025 and Winter/J-Mester faculty-led study abroad programs. This event will provide space for students to reconnect, reflect on their experiences abroad, and engage with peers interested in future international opportunities. |
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Slice of Advice & Open Advising. Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:30 pm in Massey 440 OIE will offer open study abroad advising paired with its Slice of Advice event. Students will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with OIE staff to discuss program options, application timelines, and funding while enjoying pizza in a casual setting. Open Advising: 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
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Gilman Scholarship Lunch & Learn. Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12:30 pm in Massey 440 OIE will host a Lunch & Learn focused on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Students will learn about eligibility, application components, and strategies for submitting competitive applications. |
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Study Abroad 101. Every Wednesday at 3:00 pm in Massey 440 Learn about faculty-led and academic-term study abroad programs, how to finance study abroad, passports, and the many opportunities to study abroad at Morehouse College in these weekly meetings open to all traditional students. Stay up-to-date on Morehouse study abroad by following the OIE on Instagram: @MorehouseOIE. |
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| 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. |
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| | | A Note of Gratitude to Our Sponsors |
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| 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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