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As an ambassador, congressman, mayor, and civil rights leader, Ambassador 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.
The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership seeks to extend the legacy of Ambassador Young and expand the footprint of Morehouse Beyond Borders 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 lead the fight for social, economic, and educational equality in the U.S. and abroad.
The Center is excited to welcome Dr. Amos Johnson as the new Director of the Leadership Studies Program and Dr. Walter Fluker as the 2024-25 Social Justice Scholar in Residence. We thank 2023-24 Scholar in Residence, Ms. Pamela Winn, for her leadership and share her essay on the role of HBCUs in developing policy advocates. In addition to highlighting recent events, this issue includes updates on international education, including study abroad.
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Amos Johnson, Ph.D., ‘96, joins the Andrew Young Center as the new Director of the Leadership Studies Program
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Dr. Amos Johnson is a 1996 graduate of Morehouse College and the Georgia Institute of Technology with a dual degree in General Science and Electrical Engineering. He earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2002. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Johnson who joins the AYCGL as director of the Leadership Studies Program.
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Walter E. Fluker, Ph.D., joins Andrew Young Center as the 2024-25 Scholar in Residence for Ethical Leadership
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Walter Fluker, Ph.D., has joined the Andrew Young Center as the 2024-25 Scholar in Residence for Ethical Leadership. The founding director of the Andrew Young Center and Leadership Studies Program and a scholar of Howard Thurman, Dr. Fluker is a Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center, Hartford University for Religion and Peace; Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics and Leadership, recently served at Candler School of Theology, Emory University; Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership (formerly the Martin Luther King, Jr Chair) at Boston University, and as editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project.
This fall Dr. Fluker is teaching a course in the Leadership Studies Program entitled, Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility and Community.
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2023-24 Scholar in Residence Pamela Winn shares essay on HBCUs and Policy Advocacy
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The AYCGL would like to thank our 2023-2024 Scholar in Residence Ms. Pamela Winn for her service to the Andrew Young Center. During her time as AYCGL Scholar in Residence, Ms. Winn collaborated with Morehouse students, provided a teach-in series on policy advocacy, and created a policy advocacy curriculum to be used by the Center.
Recently, Ms. Winn became a guest contributor to the Morehouse College faculty blog with a submission entitled, Embracing the Legacy of Advocacy: HBCUs Have A Responsibility For Nurturing The Advocacy of Black Americans. Please see the essay Ms. Winn has written:
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I am deeply honored to have been selected as the 2023-2024 Morehouse College Scholar-in-Residence by The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership. This opportunity is more than just a recognition of my work; it is a profound affirmation of the journey I have traveled—a journey marked by both personal tribulation and a relentless drive to advocate for the rights and dignity of incarcerated women. My experiences have shaped me, not just as an advocate, but as a person who understands the critical importance of policy advocacy in the democratic process, particularly for marginalized communities.
My journey into advocacy began in the most unexpected and harrowing circumstances. Having served a 78-month federal sentence while pregnant, I encountered the harsh reality of dehumanizing conditions within the prison system. The lack of medical care I experienced ultimately led to a miscarriage, a deeply traumatic event that became the catalyst for my life's work. It was in the depths of this personal tragedy that I found a new purpose: to advocate for policy changes that would protect the dignity and safety of incarcerated women.
In the aftermath of my incarceration, I founded RestoreHER US.America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing the rights of incarcerated women. Our mission is to ensure that women behind bars are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Through RestoreHER, I have had the privilege of advocating for the passage of the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act in 23 states, including Georgia. Additionally, our efforts contributed to the enactment of the historical federal legislation known as the First Step Act.
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Andrew Young Center Events
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Ambassadors Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Andrew Young
Visit Andrew Young Center
July 24, 2024
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On July 24, 2024, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young visited the Andrew Young Center for an engagement with Morehouse students. The ambassadors participated in a thoughtful and informative discussion, moderated by sophomore Christopher Lambry, that focused on their life stories, paths to leadership in diplomacy, and current events, including questions about resolving conflicts around the world with a focus on the Congo and Palestine.
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USAID Sport Delegation Visits AYCGL
July 11, 2024
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On July 11, 2024, the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership hosted a delegation of fifteen young women from Angola, Brazil, and Mexico who were part of a group of high-school athletes visiting the United States. This Sports Visitor Program is sponsored by the State Department and focused on flag football, youth leadership, and civic engagement. The group visited Morehouse to learn about civic engagement, leadership, and social justice. The delegation received lectures from Dr. Vicki Crawford, whose presentation was entitled, “African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement,” and Dr. Denise Callejas, who gave a trilingual presentation entitled, “Representation and Power: Black Activism in Sports.”
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South Africa Social Justice Study Abroad Program and Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program Travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
May 19 - June 1, 2024
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On May 19, 2024, Morehouse scholars embarked on the 12-day South Africa Social Justice Program and Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program. This transformative study abroad experience, led by AYCGL directors Sinead Younge and Jann Adams, included visits to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pilanesberg, and Cape Town, South Africa. The experience was highlighted by the opportunity to serve as official observers of South Africa’s presidential election, held 30 years after the election of Nelson Mandela. Scholars observed election processes at multiple sites and shared feedback with election officials. Observation of South Africa’s democratic elections became an opportunity to juxtapose this process in South Africa and the United States and generated fruitful discussions about the importance of and threats to democracy around the world.
Program activities included meetings with community leaders and university and other academic officials, faculty, and students. University visits included the University of Pretoria, the University of the Western Cape, and the University of South Africa. Engaging and informative visits to the Mandela Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation allowed scholars to explore the lives, accomplishments, challenges, and leadership philosophies of these great leaders.
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Visits to historic sites and organizations documenting the history of Apartheid and preserving the legacy of the fight for freedom and justice in South Africa included the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pieterson Museum, Mandela House, and Robben Island Prison. Scholars experienced Cape Town’s Iziko Slave Lodge to learn about the roles of enslaved peoples in building South Africa that set the stage for Apartheid.A day of service at the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP) allowed scholars to tutor, paint community members’ homes, serve food, and play soccer with the children. Scholars continue to discuss this powerful experience and how Morehouse can stay engaged with the KYP. Scholars appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of South Africa through excursions to Pilanesberg National Park, Table Mountain, and the Cape of Good Hope.
Throughout the experience, scholars responded to prompts providing written reflections of their experiences and knowledge gained. Evening meetings allowed scholars to discuss the history, politics, and culture of South Africa as well as to explore and compare social justice issues and democracy in the United States and South Africa.
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Empowering Scholars: The Rewards and Insights of International Election Observation
By Christopher Lambry, ‘27, Oprah Winfrey Scholar
May 29th, 2024 marked a pivotal moment in South African politics. This year's election commemorated the 30th anniversary of the abolition of the brutal apartheid system, a monumental achievement made possible by the efforts of the historic Anti Apartheid Party, the African National Congress (ANC), and iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Elections in South Africa follow a five-year cycle, with national and provincial elections held simultaneously and municipal elections held two years later.
A great deal of voter apathy and disenchantment with the ANC overshadowed this significant milestone in the country's political history. Since Mandela's leadership in the early 1990s, the ANC has maintained a majority in parliament. However, for the first time in 30 years, the party faces a serious threat to its majority. Despite the party's strong efforts to advance progress in South Africa, voters are increasingly frustrated by the persistent lack of necessities such as water and electricity.
As part of the AYCGL’s Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program and Social Justice Scholars Program, a group of Morehouse scholars, including myself, had the opportunity to serve as International Election Observers on behalf of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). We witnessed firsthand the progression of democracy in this vibrant country and its voting process. The IEC, an independent constitutional body, manages free and fair elections for legislative bodies and institutions through the participation of citizens, political parties, and civil society, thereby deepening electoral democracy.
To further understand the intricacies of politics in South Africa, we scholars also compared voter disparities within the country and back home in the United States. By observing multiple voting stations, including one in a majority Jewish area with a long history of voter engagement and another in a majority Muslim area, across two different provinces, we saw stark contrasts in access, technology, and engagement.
In the majority Muslim district, it became evident that voters were extremely disappointed with the current state of affairs. Many voiced their frustration loudly as the lines grew longer and the voting process slowed. In comparison, other provinces had better access, including improved technology, increased voting station staff, and the ability to skip ahead in line under certain circumstances, such as having children—an option that seemed available only in the more affluent Jewish area. These alarming disparities made the frustration of voters in less-equipped areas seem almost warranted.
Being an election observer is an intimidating yet rewarding and informative task. It is an experience I would eagerly embrace every year, given the opportunity. This experience equips scholars with a better understanding of both the country they visit and their own voting processes back home. Reflecting on these observations, it's clear that the journey of democracy is ongoing and fraught with challenges, but witnessing it firsthand offers invaluable insights into the perseverance and hopes of a nation striving for a better world.
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Andrew Young Center Program Updates
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Study Abroad At Morehouse
Morehouse students study abroad year-round! Many students participated in study abroad during summer 2024.
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Summer 2024 Academic Term Study Abroad
An academic term abroad allows students to broaden their horizons, develop intercultural competence and engage meaningfully with their host culture, all while earning credits toward their degree. This past summer Morehouse students immersed themselves in academic adventures around the world, with programs in Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, and Taiwan. Senior Biology major, David Pilson, gained invaluable hands-on experience at a neurobiology lab in Rome, Italy. His research included genotyping and cell observation. Senior International Studies major, Truth Jackson, sharpened his language skills in an accelerated Chinese program in Taipei, Taiwan. Ke’Aunt Dent, class of 2024, participated in the prestigious Douglass-O’Connell Internship in Dublin, Ireland, where he worked at a marketing agency.
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Summer 2024 Faculty/Staff-led Study Abroad Programs
During summer 2024 Morehouse faculty and staff led 6 programs to international destinations. Each program provided unique and specialized experiences for Morehouse students. Programs included Morehouse in Oaxaca, Mexico, led by Dr. Jaime Chavez; Business and Culture in Barcelona, led by Dr. Maria Piscopo; Morehouse in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire: Culture, Society, and Development in Post-Colonial Country, led by Dr. Vivianne Uetto; and Connect with Rwanda: Understanding International Development in East Africa, led by Mr. Christopher McClain. The AYCGL sponsored two programs, the Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program, led by Dr. Jann Adams and the South Africa Social Justice Experience, led by Dr. Sinead Younge.
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This issue of the AYCGL newsletter highlights two faculty-led programs:
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Morehouse in Oaxaca, Mexico
by Dr. Jaime Chavez
This past summer, ten Morehouse students and faculty leader, Dr. Jaime Chávez, from the Department of World Languages and Cultures, traveled to Oaxaca, México, for one month to learn and explore the rich culture, history, and gastronomy of one of Mexico’s most important states for its cultural diversity. Students enrolled in Spanish language courses at Universidad Anáhuac, lived with Mexican host families, and had the opportunity to visit the Afro-Mexican community of Chacahua, near Puerto Escondido. One of the major goals of the program is for the students to have a total language immersion experience to improve their Spanish language conversation skills while developing cross-cultural communication. Students developed strong relationships with their peers at the university and the local community. They also experienced Monte Albán, the most important pre-Colombian archeological site in the valley of Oaxaca, and explored beautiful natural scenes like Hierve el Agua and the Apoala waterfall. The students learned to be independent, navigate unfamiliar situations by adapting to a new culture, and develop problem-solving skills while gaining a global perspective from this faculty-led summer study abroad program.
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Business and Culture in Barcelona
by Dr. Maria Piscopo
This summer, Dr. Gabriela Piscopo, Professor of Marketing and International Business, led the study abroad program “Business and Culture in Barcelona, Spain”, in collaboration with CEA-CAPA. The program aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of international business dynamics while fostering cultural awareness and cross-cultural competencies critical for success in today’s globalized economy. Over three weeks, participants were immersed in both Spanish and Catalonian cultures, allowing them to draw meaningful comparisons with American and other cultural perspectives.
Among the many enriching experiences, two key highlights stood out: a visit to the venture capital firm b-combinator, where students explored the vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in Catalonia and Spain, and an inspiring tour of the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s iconic architectural masterpiece. Additionally, students had the unique opportunity to attend a castellers practice, witnessing the construction of human towers—a cherished tradition in Barcelona. Through these experiences, students broadened their worldviews, gaining invaluable insights into the global business environment and enhancing their understanding of cultural diversity. The program not only expanded their academic knowledge but also equipped them with essential skills and perspectives for their future careers.
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International Education at Morehouse
2023-2024 Year in Review
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The Office of International Education works to create global awareness and experiences on campus and build a culture of study abroad at Morehouse College through relevant programming, campus outreach, and strategic marketing. Priorities include engaging students and faculty in study abroad, increasing the affordability of study abroad, and improving processes to enhance the experiences of students and faculty participating in Morehouse College study abroad programs.
During the 2023-24 academic year, 128 Morehouse College students studied abroad, 19 through semester-long or summer academic programs and 109 through one of 13 Morehouse faculty/staff-led study abroad programs.
Programming, Campus Outreach, and Marketing
On-campus programming included the Fall StudyAbroad Symposium, International Education Week, weekly Study Abroad 101 and 201 sessions, regular tabling, participation in Admitted Students Day, and student support sessions for both faculty-led and semester programs. Twelve pre-departure sessions were held to guide students in preparing for their study abroad experiences.
The Office of International Education implemented a number of relevant programs to enhance student engagement. Three Passport Workshops were conducted, providing detailed guidance on passport applications, fees, and necessary paperwork to simplify the process for students. In collaboration with Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and the Atlanta Passport Agency, in February 2024 the OIE hosted the AUC Passport Day. A total of 140 passport applications were processed.
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Reducing Costs for Study Abroad
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Office of International Education awarded a total of $76,875 in student scholarships for study abroad. Students participated in study abroad experiences for as little as $500, with four programs offered at no cost. In addition, 5 Morehouse students were honored as 2023-24 Gilman recipients, collectively receiving $19,000 and marking a 400% increase in recipients compared to the previous year. Ke’Aun Dent was chosen for the prestigious Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship in Dublin, Ireland through external partner, CIEE. Mr. Dent was the first Morehouse student chosen since 2021 and the second since the inception of the program. Thirty-two Morehouse students benefited from the Delta Passport Program, receiving $165 to cover their passport fees.
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September 13, 2024. Applications due for the AYCGL Social Justice Scholars Program. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in mental health are encouraged to apply for the Social Justice Scholars Program. Students will intern with a local non-profit organization and receive a stipend at the end of the semester. All majors are eligible, however students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above. Students can apply here. Inquiries can be made to Dr. Sinead Younge (sinead.younge@morehouse.edu).
September 11, 2024. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm: The Office of International Education will host the International Education Symposium: Cultivating Ethical Leaders in a Global World. The 3rd Annual International Education Symposium will feature information sessions, oral and poster presentations, a panel discussion, opportunities to learn about semester abroad student opportunities, and raffles for study abroad scholarships. The Symposium will be held in the Shirley Massey Conference Center.
September 12, 2024. 9:00 am - 11:30 am: The Morehouse College Study Abroad Fair is an opportunity for students to meet with study abroad providers, learn about the college’s passport program, and start their study abroad journey! The Fair will be held on the Kilgore Plaza.
October 9, 2024. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: The Andrew Young Center, in partnership with the Carter Center and USAID, will sponsor a one-day conference, Democracy Delivers: Pursuing Justice, Security, and Inclusive Development around the World. The conference will be held at the Shirley Massey Conference Center.
November 2-3, 2024. The AYCGL Civil Rights Study Tour will travel to Birmingham and Montgomery, AL to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Equal Justice Initiative - Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture. Morehouse College students and faculty are encouraged to join the AYCGL Civil Rights Study Tour. Transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided. Please contact Marissa Baham (marissa.baham@morehouse.edu) for more information.
November 18-22, 2024. AUC Passport Day & International Education Week. The Office of International Education will partner with the Atlanta Passport Agency, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University to host the second annual AUC Passport Day. This event will take place in the Kilgore Atrium on Wednesday, November 20th from 9am-1pm. AUC students and staff are welcome to submit applications for both first-time passports and passport renewals. AUC Passport Day is part of International Education Week, a week of events related to study abroad and global celebration. International Education Week includes multiple events that will take place from November 18 – 22, 2024.
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The 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
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, Delta Airlines, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, The Julian Grace Foundation, the Cigna Foundation, and the SMASH Foundation. We wish to thank these donors for their sustained support of the AYCGL.
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