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Change does not roll in on the wheels on inevitability,
but comes through continuous struggle.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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We welcome 2024 and all that lies ahead! Drs. Sinead Younge, Kipton Jensen, and I, the directors of the Andrew Young Center, continue our work to create a center that reflects the commitment, passion, character, and leadership of Ambassador Andrew Jackson Young.
As an ambassador, congressman, mayor, and civil rights leader, Andrew Young created a legacy of leading the fight for human and civil rights, providing leadership in pursuit of social justice, and creating opportunity and prosperity among those who are underserved. Thus, the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership centers both leadership development and social justice training and activism in its work.
This year marks the 27th year of the existence of the AYCGL. The Center, established by President Walter Massey and originally led by Walter Fluker, Ph.D., was founded with a mission to develop social justice-focused, ethical leaders through its Leadership Studies Program and other initiatives.
The Andrew Young Center is now home to a number of programs that enrich the lives of students, faculty, and community members. Please note highlights of several programs:
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- The Leadership Studies Program has grown to serve 20 minors who benefit from an experientially based, Morehouse-centric curriculum. A number of co-curricular experiences enrich and deepen student learning in the minor. The program implements a Leadership Lecture Series and supports the Center’s teach-ins to engage faculty and students in discussions on important topics.
- The Oprah Winfrey, Social Justice, and SMASH Scholars Programs are thriving. The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program, a flagship scholarship program that has existed at the college for 34 years, has educated over 700 Morehouse men. Established with an initial investment of $12 million in 1989, in October 2019 Ms. Winfrey made a second investment of $13 million, creating the largest endowed gift to the college in its history and securing the future of the program. The Social Justice Scholars Program provides experiences and internships that refine students’ understanding of social justice issues and create opportunities for leadership through service and other forms of engagement. The SMASH Scholars Program, established in the fall 2020, supports a cohort of 14 STEM majors who are alumni of the SMASH High School Summer Academy and who benefit from mentoring, STEM training, and co-curricular activities.
- Study abroad at Morehouse has grown significantly over the last 4 years. Approximately 200 students will study abroad during the 2023-24 academic year with most students participating in faculty-led programs. These programs allow Morehouse faculty to design and lead experiences that cultivate curiosity and provide real-life experiences that build leadership and deepen learning. A major goal for the office is to significantly increase the number of students studying abroad for semester terms. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Office of International Education has increased its staff and offers The Andrew Young Fund for International Scholars to provide need-based study abroad scholarships for Morehouse students. The Office continues its work to internationalize the campus through programs and activities, the curriculum, and study abroad.
- The Andrew Young Center - Higher Education in Prisons Program (AYC-HEP) has evolved into an inspiring and effective program that provides higher education in Georgia’s prisons. More than twenty faculty from Morehouse have served as AYC-HEP Faculty Teaching Affiliates over the past several years at Metro Reentry Prison in Dekalb County, Burruss Correctional in Forsyth County, and/or the US Federal Penitentiary in Fulton County.
- During 2023, the AYC-HEP offered seven 12-week humanities classes and reached 145 students inside carceral facilities. The Program also offered four 6-week seminars and served 74 students at Metro. Thus, in 2023, the program served over 200 incarcerated students. The Program includes a cohort of ten AYC-HEP Student Ambassadors who support the AYC-HEP by assisting faculty teaching affiliates, promoting higher education in prisons, attending HEP conferences, participating in reentry services, and assisting formerly incarcerated students who seek to continue their educations after they are released from prison.
- Other initiatives of the Center include the Andrew Young Fellows Program that supports faculty and student innovation to address social challenges, the Social Justice Health Initiative designed to address health disparities through student training and other initiatives, and the More Conversations student podcast which facilitates student leadership in important conversations with thought leaders in multiple disciplines. In addition to hosting The Many Lives of Andrew Young exhibit during October and November 2023, last year the Center hosted two teach-ins. The first, hosted by the Leadership Studies Program, focused on the life and work of Ambassador Young. The second, held on November 2, 2023, focused on the history, historical context and conflict, and current conflict between Israel and Palestine.
- The AYCGL hosted two conferences during 2023. In March the Andrew Young Center, in partnership with the Center for Justice at Columbia University and the Georgia Coalition of Higher Education in Prisons, hosted the inaugural Beyond Bars South Conference. This conference focused on the relationship between colleges and the communities in which they reside. Gentrification, income inequality, and mass incarceration have transformed southern cities that are home to leading institutions of higher education. Guest speakers included presidents from colleges and universities in Georgia and South Carolina as well as representatives from local corporations, national foundations, and community partners. In June, the Andrew Young Center hosted the 19th Biennial Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) Conference, American Psychological Association’s Division 27. The theme of this year’s conference was “Where do we go from here: Dreaming New Community Futures.” This was the first time an HBCU hosted the conference and SCRA’s first hybrid conference, with over 700 attendees from across the globe attending 500 sessions.
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Under the leadership of the center directors, the footprint of the Center will continue to grow through community partnerships, education, engagement, and service, prison education, study abroad and other global experiences, and leadership development opportunities offered by the Leadership Studies minor and scholarship programs.
The Andrew Young Center benefits from the generous support of individual donors, corporations, and foundations. We are grateful to long-time partners, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and more recent partners, Microsoft, Gilead Sciences, Julian Grace Foundation, and Rand.
We are excited about the future of the Center and welcome your engagement in our work. Learn more about the Andrew Young Center by visiting our website (AndrewYoungCenter.org). We hope that you will share your ideas and talents with Morehouse and the Center as we grow into the vision of the future.
All the best,
Jann H. Adams, Ph.D.
Lead Director
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Understanding Israel and Palestine: History, Context, and the U.S.
AYCGL Teach-in
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On November 2, 2023, the AYCGL hosted a Teach-in, Understanding Israel and Palestine: History, Context, and the U.S. Taught in three sessions, the teach-in was designed to build knowledge of the history of and conflict between Israel and Palestine. The teach-in included the following topics:
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- The History of Israel and Palestine and the Current Conflict focused on the history of Israel and Palestine, as well as the current circumstances in the region. Dr. Rana Shabb and Ms. Karin Ryan from The Carter Center were presenters.
- Sociological, Political, and Cultural Perspectives on Palestine and Israel focused on providing context through the lens of multiple disciplines on factors influencing the status of Israel and Palestine. Presenters included Dr. Andrew Douglas, Dr. Hye Ryeon Jang, Dr. Mansa King, Morehouse College; and Ms. Kafia Haile, 2023 Palestinian American Research Center Fellow.
- Global Leadership and Parallels: Palestinians and Black Americans focused on the lived experiences of Palestinians, the current conditions in Palestine, and the historical parallels between the experiences of Black Americans and Palestinians. Mr. Ahmad Abuznaid, Executive Director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, was featured during this session.
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Visit to the Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial
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On November 4, 2023, the AYCGL hosted a visit to the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Peace and Justice Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. Students visited both sites and also benefited from a presentation by an attorney who works with the Equal Justice Initiative.
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Prince Parker, a senior Psychology major and AYCGL Social Justice Scholar, shared this reflection on his visit to the Equal Justice Initiative:
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Visiting the Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial was a transformative experience I am sure to never forget. As this was my first trip to Montgomery, Alabama, I did not know what to expect. Throughout my primary school education, I learned about historical cities like Montgomery and the role activists played in transforming the national progression of civil and human rights during the Jim Crow era. However, I felt as though this education did not prepare me for the emotional experience that was the EJI memorial itself.
During the visit to the museum, I was exposed to the hidden history of the American South and the gruesome, violent nature of Jim Crow-era social and public policy. I have been aware of lynching for a long time, however, I got to learn about specific laws that propagated segregation as well as the ways local law enforcement was complacent in countless murders. For example, the law which forbid the presence of free Black people in Alabama predating the Civil War caught me by surprise. With so much content to consume throughout the museum, I found myself taking breaks in the various theaters that traversed the civil rights history of the United States. Also, the jars of soil from lynching sites all around the country evoked some of the most intense emotions I felt while exploring the museum.
One of the most profound aspects of the museum was certainly the insight it provided on the connections between lynching and mass incarceration. When we visited the memorial and discussed the concept of life without parole with an Equal Justice Initiative attorney, I was exposed to new facts about this relationship. Unfortunately, it was not surprising to learn that the states with the most historical instances of race-based terrorism have some of the highest life without parole sentences in the United States.
My experience in both the museum and the memorial were filled with anger and sadness, yet the most emotional part of these visits was the ominous rusty blocks found at the memorial site. As I walked through the large rectangles inscribed with the names of the many victims of race-based terror throughout the United States, I could imagine walking through a field of hanging bodies. The emotion that this site evoked was an eerie, but necessary experience that I could feel rather than just read about.
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Civic Engagement and Service Learning: Morehouse Oprah Winfrey Scholars at St. Francis Soup Kitchen
By Corey Stayton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English, Faculty Lead, OWSP
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Morehouse College, a historically significant institution in the United States, has long been known for its dedication to producing leaders who are not only academically accomplished but also deeply committed to social justice and community service. The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program, an initiative funded by media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, exemplifies this commitment. The program, which provides scholarships to young men who have demonstrated both academic excellence and a strong inclination towards community service, embeds within its structure a unique component: volunteering at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen.
The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program at Morehouse College incorporates service learning as a core element of its curriculum. Scholars are required to engage in community service activities, with a specific emphasis on volunteering at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen. Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Corey Stayton, is the lead professor of this bi-monthly initiative, with scholars dedicating two Saturdays each month to serving at the kitchen and two Friday sessions writing and discussing their experiences.
My hope for these young men serving at the soup kitchen is that it will have a similar impact that it had on me when I began volunteering some 25 years ago—I saw my brother, my uncle, my father and grandfather; I saw myself in the faces of the people whom we served. When you connect with human beings, it becomes difficult to turn away. People aren’t statistics or a problem to be solved. Serving others can often offer a sobering perspective and help students to ask probing questions about the world around them.
The St. Francis Soup Kitchen, (Tilla Jones, director), serves as a vital resource for the underserved and homeless population of Atlanta, GA, providing not only meals but also a sense of community and support. The scholars' involvement includes meal preparation, serving food, and engaging in conversations with the guests.
The interaction between the scholars and the community members at the soup kitchen has a bidirectional impact. For the community, the presence of these young, empathetic, and motivated individuals brings a sense of hope and upliftment. It also ensures the continuity of essential services that the kitchen provides. For the scholars, this experience transcends traditional academic learning. It instills a sense of civic responsibility and empathy, allowing them to understand societal challenges firsthand. It also helps develop leadership and interpersonal skills, as they work in teams and interact with a diverse group of individuals.
The participation in the soup kitchen volunteering activities complements the scholars' academic pursuits. It provides practical, real-world experiences that enhance their understanding of social issues, equity, and justice. This exposure is invaluable in shaping their worldviews and future career paths, often inspiring them to pursue professions that focus on social betterment.
The Morehouse College Oprah Winfrey Scholars' involvement with the St. Francis Soup Kitchen represents a significant contribution to the community and a profound learning experience for the students. This program serves as a model for integrating service learning into higher education, highlighting the importance of developing socially conscious and community-oriented leaders. The synergy between academic excellence and community service in this program underlines the ethos of Morehouse College and the vision of Oprah Winfrey in shaping future leaders who are not only academically adept but also deeply committed to societal welfare.
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International Education Week: November 13 - 17, 2023
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During the week of November 13th, the Office of International Education commemorated International Education Week with a series of events to celebrate global learning and foster international community. The festivities kicked off with a Gilman x OIE Information Session hosted by Morehouse ‘09 alum, Cornelius Finley. Mr. Finley provided valuable insights into the opportunities provided by the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and shared the profound personal impact study abroad had on his life. In partnership with ISEP Study Abroad, our Wellness & Navigating Identities Abroad workshop facilitated open dialogue on the intersectionality of identity and well-being in a global context. Program Coordinator Nandi Musengwa put students’ intellects to the test during Global Trivia while Global Game Night and cultivated community through friendly competition. Director of International Education Maraina Montgomery hosted a First Time Studying Abroad workshop for our aspiring globetrotters who will depart this upcoming spring. The week culminated with a thought-provoking kick off to the “Revolutionary Routes: Ireland and the Black Atlantic” exhibition hosted at Spelman College. These events not only celebrated the benefits of international education, but also empowered our community to embrace global perspectives and embark on journeys abroad with confidence.
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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J-Mester 2024: Understanding the Gullah Geechee Roots of Social Justice and Resistance. As part of J-Mester 224, the AYCGL Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis will offer a course that explores the connection between South Carolina and Barbados using health as a lens to explore history, culture, food, and behaviors. This unique opportunity will bring together students and faculty from Morehouse College, the University of the West Indies (UWI) - Cave Hill, and R2ISE to Recovery, to explore the connections between Gullah Geechee and Barbadian cultural traditions, as well as contemporary social justice issues such as climate justice, health inequities, and reparations. Students from the University of the West Indies - Cave Hill will participate in this course along with Dr. Yanique Hume, head of the Department of Cultural Studies at UWI. This course builds on the experiences from the Barbados Spring Break Tour of 2023.
January 15, 2024: The Oprah Winfrey Scholars will complete their Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in partnership with the Martin Luther King Center. Scholars will support and participate in the King Day Commemorative Service, Voter Registration Drive, and Collection Drive. Scholars will spend the day in service to the community as they develop the skills needed to become ethical leaders.
February 23-25, 2024: The AYCGL will sponsor a visit for Morehouse students and faculty to the International African American Museum in Charleson, South Carolina. The three-day trip will include a visit to the Avery Research Center at the University of Charleston and other important historical sites. For more information on this opportunity, please reach out to Dr. Jann Adams (jann.adams@morehouse.edu).
Spring Break 2024: The Exploration of the African Diaspora in the United Kingdom study abroad program, led by Dr. Sinead Younge, will visit London, Liverpool, and Manchester. This unique experience will explore the transatlantic slave trade in the British colonies and examine contemporary issues such as the migration of African and Caribbean populations to the UK between 1948 and 1970, known as the Windrush Era. Students will learn about key figures in Black British history and current grassroots organizing and activism in the UK.
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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 Coca Cola, Bank of America, Ms. Oprah Winfrey and the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, the SMASH Foundation, Delta Airlines, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, the Julian Grace Foundation, and the Cigna Foundation. We wish to thank these donors for their sustained support of the AYCGL.
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