John Lewis Young Leaders
The John Lewis Young Leaders (JLYL) program is an undergraduate fellowship program that equips students with the necessary skills to become effective social justice and civic leaders. Since its creation in 2017, the Young Leaders program has focused on building the power of young people and supporting them as the next generation of human rights defenders. In 2022 we restructured and rebranded the program to pay homage to the beautiful and inspiring friendship between John Lewis and Robert Kennedy. Both Lewis and Kennedy shared a joint dream of building a more just and equitable future and worked towards one where all young people can see this come to fruition.
The JLYL program is a year-long fellowship that prepares college students for a future in community organizing and civic engagement. Over the course of the year, fellows engage their campus and local communities in human rights work through a robust capstone project. Fellows receive resources and support to ensure their success in the program, including access to comprehensive grassroots organizing workshops, 1:1 mentorship from RFK Human Rights staff, financial support, and access to an extensive network of human rights professionals, peers, and program alumni. By providing fellows with these resources, we aim to build their capacity and confidence to pursue careers as human rights defenders and enact positive and perpetual change in their communities.
Current fellows
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Become a fellow
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Campaign toolkits
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What is a capstone?
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MEET OUR EXPERTS
Our partners
Generation Titans
Partnered with RFK Human Rights for the Titan Generator at SXSW in 2019.
twitter.com/gentitans
International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC)
Partnered with RFK Human Rights for the Titan Generator at SXSW in 2019.
indigenousyouth.org
March For Our Lives
Partnered with RFK Human Rights for the Titan Generator at SXSW in 2019.
marchforourlives.com
Net Impact
Partnered with RFK Human Rights on a series of workshops focused on mobilizing college students to become "election advocates" through actions that promoted voting by mail.
netimpact.org
Trans United
Partnered with RFK Human Rights on our "Street Rights" series in the summer of 2020.
transunitedfund.org
United We Dream
Partnered with RFK Human Rights for the Titan Generator at SXSW in 2019.
unitedwedream.org
FOR MORE PERSPECTIVE
Meet three of our trans activists who are making a difference.
Learn MoreWe must push our ideas of civic responsibility past the ballot by remaining informed and supporting marginalized groups.
Learn MoreExplore Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy of pushing for quality education for all through the work of Ruby Bridges and Aaron Maybin.
Learn MoreFollowing the death of John Lewis, Kerry Kennedy reflects on his incredible racial justice work and how it impacted her father’s commitment to civil rights.
Learn MoreHelp Us Protect Human Rights
Please give now. Your contribution will make a difference in the critical effort to achieve equal rights for all.