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| The October issue of the AYCGL newsletter highlights scholars pursuing the Leadership Studies minor as well as the work of the Leadership Innovation Lab. The Lab, established in spring 2025, supports students seeking innovative, technology-based solutions to social justice challenges. The issue provides updates on recent events sponsored by the Office of International Education, including August’s Study Abroad Fair and the 4th Annual International Education Symposium held on September 10, 2025, as well as the National Recovery Bus Stop celebrating National Recovery Month, and a recent panel discussion, Imperfect Parallels, on the civil rights movements in the U.S. and Ireland.
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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| | The Leadership Studies Program |
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| The Leadership Studies Program (LSP) is committed to preparing Men of Morehouse to become impactful leaders dedicated to social justice and positive change across a wide range of industries. The program focuses on equipping students to navigate the complexities of leadership in a society marked by divisions across racial, gender, political, religious, national, and cultural lines. The Leadership Studies Program offers a minor, contributes to the General Education curriculum through courses such as “Social Justice Leadership” (HLS101-FYE) and “Introduction to Black Leadership” (HLS 111), hosts leadership lectures, and supports student research through the Leadership Innovation Lab. |
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| | Focus on Leadership Studies Minors |
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| This academic year, three Leadership Studies minors are undertaking their capstone projects. They will enroll in a 1-credit course in both the fall and spring. In the fall, they will leverage their individual strengths and collaborative efforts to design a social justice–oriented leadership initiative that serves the common good. In the spring, they will implement the initiative and present their results at the Dream Makers Summit in April 2026. |
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Brian Anim-Sackey is a senior Business Marketing major and Leadership Studies minor from West Orange, NJ. Throughout his matriculation at Morehouse College, Brian has developed not only his academic abilities but also his personal character. This growth inspired him to join Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, found the Steeze and Stance Skateboarding Club, and declare a minor in Leadership Studies.
Brian believes leadership is essential not only in the workplace but also in local towns and communities. Whether through fundraising for charitable organizations or leading through grassroots activism, Brian recognizes the importance of cultivating healthy and practical leadership skills while also learning from the history of great leaders. |
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Chavous Langhorn is a Sociology major with double minors in Communication Studies and Leadership Studies. Chavous hails from the “Queen City” of Charlotte, North Carolina. On campus, Chavous exemplifies servant leadership, serving as Secretary of the MLK Jr. International Chapel Assistants Program and Treasurer of the Morehouse Sociological Association. Chavous enjoys opportunities to fellowship with his peers and aspires to be a strong advocate for change through effective community engagement. Chavous lives by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” |
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Johnny Simmons’ pursuit of a Leadership Studies minor has significantly enhanced his ability to excel in various leadership roles at Morehouse College, including serving as New Student Orientation Commander, Get on the Bus Commander, and Parliamentarian of the Chapel Assistant Program. The academic foundation provided through the minor has shaped his view of leadership—not merely as a position of authority, but as a practice rooted in intentionality, critical thinking, and service.
By engaging with leadership theories and models of organizational behavior, Johnny has gained a deeper understanding of how to effectively guide groups, foster collaboration, and build trust among diverse teams. These skills have proven essential in orchestrating large-scale programs, navigating conflict, and ensuring that initiatives are both impactful and sustainable. Ultimately, Johnny’s studies have reinforced his belief that true leadership is grounded in the ability to inspire and empower others, a principle that continues to shape how he leads and serves within the Morehouse community. |
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| | Leadership Innovation Lab |
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| The AYCGL Leadership Innovation Lab is dedicated to researching and developing solutions to social challenges affecting underserved communities. Composed of student teams guided by faculty advisors, the lab provides opportunities for students to either join existing teams or propose new leadership initiatives. The program follows the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) model, a curricular framework that allows students from freshman to senior year to collaborate on long-term projects aligned with faculty research interests. Participants may earn one, two, or three academic credit hours per semester.
As part of the Lab, this fall we are continuing our HOME (Help Others through Mobile Exchange) initiative, a student-led project addressing the exclusion of unhoused individuals from the digital economy. As society increasingly shifts toward cashless transactions, spontaneous giving has become less common. HOME bridges this gap by creating a secure platform that enables community members to support unhoused individuals digitally. Through storytelling, QR code distribution, and partnerships with local shelters, the initiative will promote inclusive generosity and ensure that no one is left behind.
The project was launched in spring 2025 when students began developing digital solutions to enable financial contributions for unhoused individuals, recognizing the decline in cash-based giving. Two systems were proposed: the Registered Transaction System (RTS) and the Unregistered Transaction System (UTS). Both use QR codes linked to custodial bank accounts, allowing passersby to transfer funds directly to individuals, who then access the money through a debit card for essential purchases. RTS requires identity registration, while UTS allows anonymous transactions—each offering unique benefits and trade-offs.
The results of this initial work were presented at the Morehouse Dream Makers Summit in April 2025, showcasing the project’s innovative approach to fostering equity, dignity, and sustainability in community support.
Looking ahead, the Lab aims to incorporate one to three additional faculty members this fall to expand its reach and develop new projects that advance social impact. |
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| | International Education News |
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| | 4th Annual International Education SymposiumSeptember 10, 2025 |
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| The Office of International Education hosted the Fourth Annual International Education Symposium on September 10, 2025. This event brought together students, faculty, and campus leadership to celebrate and promote global learning at Morehouse College.
Study abroad participants from the 2024–2025 programs shared powerful reflections on how their international experiences shaped their development as global leaders. The program featured inspiring remarks from President F. DuBois Bowman and Provost Kendrick Brown, along with impactful oral and poster presentations that highlighted both faculty-led and semester-long study abroad experiences.
Engaging breakout sessions offered practical tools and insights for future study abroad participants. Topics included “Passport to Success: Using Your Study Abroad Experience to Advance Your Career” and “See Yourself Abroad: Leveraging Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Other Sources to Fund Study Abroad,” each featuring presentations and dynamic student panels.
This year’s Symposium drew more than 150 students, and four lucky attendees were awarded $600 study abroad scholarships. This event highlighted the power of international education as students prepare to be well-traveled Men of Morehouse and global leaders. |
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| | Fall 2024 Study Abroad FairAugust 27, 2025 |
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| | The Office of International Education (OIE) hosted the Fall 2025 Study Abroad Fair, bringing together Morehouse students, alumni, and global partners to explore international education opportunities. The Study Abroad Fair was a vibrant showcase of Morehouse’s global engagement and a powerful reminder of the life-changing opportunities that international education provides.
This semester’s fair featured four of OIE partners—CEA CAPA, ISEP, Arcadia Abroad, and IES Abroad—alongside the Atlanta Passport Agency, which provided students with valuable information about the passport application process.
Morehouse students learned about upcoming faculty-led programs, semester and summer opportunities, and how to schedule advising appointments, while also participating in 2 raffles for $250 toward a future study abroad experience. Attendees also received giveaway bags with international snacks and a QR code linking to study abroad advising appointments, encouraging follow-up with OIE.
OIE Student Ambassadors played an important role in recruiting for the fair and connecting with their peers. Ambassadors shared their own stories and encouraged Morehouse brothers to begin their study abroad journey. In addition, the fair featured study abroad alumni, current students who have studied abroad, who spoke directly with students about their transformative experiences abroad.
In line with Morehouse’s Five Wells, the Fall 2025 Study Abroad Fair highlighted how students can become Well-Traveled by engaging in transformative international experiences, while also addressing questions of affordability and accessibility. A key example is the OIE Subsidy, which enables students to participate in 1–2 week faculty-led programs starting at just $1,000—further ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation. |
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| | | | National Recovery Bus Tour Stop September 15, 2025 |
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| September is National Recovery Month and a time to recognize the strength, hope, and resilience of individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges. It is also a day to celebrate the power of recovery and the importance of community support. In collaboration with our community partner, R2ISE to Recovery, on September 15th the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership hosted a Recovery Bus tour stop, the first made at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).
The AYCGL hosted a policy panel discussion featuring Morehouse College student, O’Rell Roberts, and members of the Atlanta recovery community, including Steve McGoy, Ladji Ruffin, Rasheed Forde, Lori Schmidt and Henry Kim, director of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, and facilitated by Jeff Breedlove of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse. The AYCGL extends its appreciation to the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Georgia Council for Recovery, Georgia Recovers in Communities, and R2ISE to Recovery for collaborating on a successful bus tour. |
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| | Imperfect Parallels: Daniel O’Connell and Frederick Douglass September 19, 2025 |
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| On September 19, 2025, the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Ireland, hosted a discussion on the connections between Daniel O’Connell and Frederick Douglass. The U.S. Irish General Consulate of the Southeast, Mr. Frank Grooms provided opening remarks, followed by Mr. Dennis Brownlee, founder and president of African American Irish Diaspora Network and Ms. Myana Garrison, Spelman c’28 and 2025 O’Connell-Douglass Scholar. This discussion featured Morehouse College professors Kipton Jensen (Philosophy) and Matthew Skwiat (English) and keynote Dr. Christine Kinealy of Quinnipiac University. |
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| | | | AYCGL Leadership Lecture Series featuring AI VivianOctober 2025 Al Vivian, President and CEO of BASIC Diversity, is the son of civil rights leader Dr. C.T. Vivian who was an activist, organizer and field general for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Vivian leads the nation’s longest-running diversity and inclusion firm founded by his father in 1974. At a time when many organizations are retreating from DEI work, Mr. Vivian continues to provide leadership training and diversity consulting across the country. |
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| AYCGL Equal Justice Initiative Study TourSaturday, November 1, 2025. Morehouse College students and faculty will travel to Montgomery, AL to visit the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Sites, including the Legacy Museum, National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture. Morehouse College students and faculty are encouraged to join the study tour. Transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided. |
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| | A Conversation with Justice Albie Sachs featuring Oprah Winfrey ScholarsWednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4pm African American Hall of Fame In the struggle against Apartheid, Mr. 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 praised democratic Constitution. |
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| | J-Mester 2026: Morehouse in Ireland: Civil Rights and Social Justice Study Abroad Program (2 credits)January 2026 This study abroad experience will explore transatlantic perspectives on as well as parallels between Ireland and the USA. We will examine varied attempts at nonviolent direct action and conflict resolution in Ireland and elsewhere. The itinerary includes field trips to Derry, Dublin, and Belfast. The Morehouse in Ireland Program will be led by Dr. Sinead Younge. |
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| Office of International Education: Study Abroad 101Every Wednesday at 3pm Leadership Center, Room 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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