Bears Building Bold Leadership at the Good Trouble Summit

Shaw University students attended the NC Good Trouble Summit on Sunday, Feb. 8, hosted by the John Lewis Young Leaders Program at the FedEx Global Education Center at UNC Chapel Hill.

Students pictured from left are Haelee Moone, a freshman political science major; Jada Hubbard, a freshman business administration major; and Jasmin Lewis, a junior political science major.

The John Lewis Young Leaders Program is an undergraduate fellowship designed to prepare students to become effective social justice and civic leaders. The program focuses on empowering young people and supporting the next generation of human rights advocates.

During the summit, students participated in sessions focused on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in leadership, public and private partnerships in preserving culture and history, and a networking luncheon with professionals and scholars from various institutions. Participants also attended a private viewing of “The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Moone said one of her key takeaways was understanding how history shapes and strengthens communities.

Lewis said the experience reinforced the importance of empathy and understanding when advocating for change.

“This experience taught me how vital empathy and understanding are when advocating for change in this country,” Lewis said. “It also encouraged me to be more confident in how I view the world and in my desire to make change.”

ShawU students who attended the summit will receive fast-track consideration for the John Lewis Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows receive a $2,000 professional stipend, $1,000 toward capstone project activities, a fully funded in-person summer retreat, training in community organizing, and access to a national network of experts and activists.

Eligible applicants must be undergraduate students graduating in May 2027 or later and enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university. Students attending historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions or minority-serving institutions, as well as students from marginalized communities, are especially encouraged to apply.

To learn more about experiential learning, internships and fellowship opportunities, contact Shaw University’s Experiential Learning and Career Development Center at careerdevelopment@shawu.edu