ATLANTA, May 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National
Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) announced its new
partnership with Clark Atlanta
University (CAU) during the 2021 CAU Commencement
Convocation-to establish the NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Southern
Civic Engagement, Leadership & Social Justice Institute (NCBCP
TWD Social Justice Institute) and Southern Regional Office.
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation launches
$1 Million Partnership at
Clark Atlanta University.
Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP
President & CEO and Convener, Black Women's Roundtable and
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman of
the NCBCP Board of Directors, presented Clark
Atlanta University President George
French, Jr., Ph.D. with a $ 1
million ($1M) partnership
investment during the 2021 CAU Commencement and Convocations, that
will serve as the initial funding commitment to establish the NCBCP
TWD Social Justice Institute to be anchored at CAU. The institute
is supported by Dr. William Pickard,
Verizon Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the National Black
College Alumni Hall of Fame.
The NCBCP TWD Social Justice Institute will focus on civics
education, civic engagement, voting rights, racial, economic,
gender and social justice policy research, youth civic leadership
development, women's empowerment, Black male initiatives, power
building, entrepreneurship and community outreach in the South and
nationally. The institute will also provide internships, research
assistantships and fellowships annually to undergraduate and
graduate students at CAU and other HBCUs in the South, that will
focus on voting rights, racial, economic, gender & social
issues affecting Black and other communities impacted by
systemic/structural racism, inequities and injustice.
"I am overjoyed, and grateful
to the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and
Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman
of the NCBCP Board of Directors, and member of the Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees for this
generous gift and amazing partnership," said George T. French Jr. Ph.D. "Clark Atlanta University has always been at the
forefront of the civil rights and social justice movements. This
institute will undoubtedly equip our students with the knowledge
needed to be game changing entrepreneurs, political leaders, and
policy makers who changed the world."
The NCBCP is the longest-serving and largest historically
Black-led national civil rights, economic & social justice
coalition in our nation and has a historic reach in the South,
where active and robust state-based affiliates are building and
maintaining Black political power. This partnership will expand on
the NCBCP's 45 years of work in the region, helping to implement
additional strategic and effective programming, training, issue
advocacy, and entrepreneurship in urban and rural Black communities
across the South including AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC and VA.
Melanie L. Campbell, President
& CEO, NCBCP and Convener of the Black Women's Roundtable,
shared the following:
"The National Coalition was
founded in May 1976 and we are
celebrating the 45th Anniversary throughout 2021. One of our
45th anniversary goals was to expand our work in the South, where
over 60 percent of the Black population lives. As we enter a new
chapter in our organization's history, we are delighted to partner
with Clark Atlanta University to
establish the NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Civic Engagement,
Leadership and Social Justice Institute and Southern Regional
Office. The institute will provide a unique opportunity to invest
in the next generation of civil rights, women's rights and social
justice leadership to continue the fight for racial, economic,
gender and social justice that lies ahead."
NCBCP Chairman of the Board and Clark
Atlanta University Trustee, Thomas
W. Dortch, Jr. issued the following statement:
"I am elated to have worked
with both Melanie Campbell, our
President /Ceo and Dr. George
French, President of CAU in forging this historic
partnership. The NCBCP seeks to expand its imprint and impact in
the South and nationally by establishing its Civic Engagement and
Social Justice Institute and Southern Regional Office at
Clark Atlanta. Concurrently,
Clark Atlanta University will continue
to be a leader and vital player among the landscape of premier
academic institutions that celebrate and continue to continue to
provide relevant research and exploration in the Social Justice
Space. I am honored to have the Institute named in my honor and the
national village of stakeholders who continue to dedicate their
lives for equality, equity and social justice."
About Clark Atlanta University
Established in
1988 by the historic consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869). Clark Atlanta University
continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African-American tradition
and focused on the future. Through global innovation,
transformative educational experiences, and high-value engagement.
CAU cultivates lifted lives that transform the world. Notable
alumni include: James Weldon
Johnson; American civil rights activist, poet, and
songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing "The Black National Anthem";
Ralph David Abernathy Sr., American
civil rights activist; Congressman Hank
Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya
Barris, American award-winning television and movie
producer; Kenny Leon, Tony
Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque
Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and
Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice
President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and
Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about
Clark Atlanta University, visit
www.cau.edu
About the National Coalition on Black Civic
Participation
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP)
is one of the most active civil rights and social justice
organizations in the nation "dedicated to increasing civic
engagement, economic and voter empowerment in Black
America." The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) is the
women and girls empowerment arm of the NCBCP. At the forefront of
championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black
women, BWR promotes their health and wellness, economic security
& prosperity, education and global empowerment as key elements
for success.
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SOURCE Clark Atlanta University