2024 Year In Review

1. Civic Engagement Capstone Team:

Fostering Lifelong Voters and Fighting Suppression

This team led an aggressive campaign to combat voter suppression and misinformation during the 2024 presidential election. Their initiatives included:

• Organizing educational events, such as presidential debate watch parties, that engaged students in discussions about voter rights and civic responsibilities.

• Hosting voter registration drives, completing 317 new voter registrations within our immediate community ensuring these individuals were informed about their rights and voting precinct.

• Launching the “Rise to the Polls” initiative, providing 280 rides to students for Early Voting and Election Day, removing transportation barriers.*

• Conducting surveys on voting preferences among college students to tailor educational efforts.

• Analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence on elections and its role in youth voter turnout.

Through these efforts, the team not only increased voter participation but laid the foundation for future civic engagement strategies by helping to create life-long voters.

*Thank you to the Spelman Social Justice Department, TheCamellia Rose Chapter of the Links, Inc., The Phi Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., GeorgiaAlliance and The Buckhead Cascade CityChapter of TheLinks, Incorporated. for their assistance.

2. Food Insecurity Capstone Team:

Advocating for Change and Advancing Food Security

The team tackled the ever-present issue of hunger on college campuses through targeted advocacy and legislative work:

•   Developed grassroots campaigns to raise awareness about food insecurity, mobilizing students and community members.

•   Worked at both the U.S. and Georgia State Capitols, lobbying for increased SNAP/EBT access for students and advocating for income requirement reforms to expand eligibility.

•   Drafted an original legislative proposal that directly addresses barriers to food security for collegiate populations.

•  Partnered with local and state organizations to distribute food and educate policymakers on the realities of student hunger.

Their work directly supported efforts to secure long-term policy changes that will positively impact college students nationwide.

3. Racial Justice Capstone Team:

Addressing Racial Trauma and Advocating for Change

Focusing on systemic racism and its enduring effects, the team:

• Conducted research into the impact of racial trauma on contemporary racial issues, with an emphasis on how historical injustices perpetuate inequities today.

• Laid the groundwork for a grassroots campaign to address the divisive symbol of racial oppression on Georgia’s Stone Mountain monument.

• Engaged communities in dialogue about the cultural significance of racial symbols, using these conversations to build coalitions and drive awareness.

This team’s work contributed to meaningful discussions on racial equity, creating momentum for change in the local and national landscape.

4. Criminal Justice Capstone Team:

Advancing Equity and Reintegration in Georgia

Addressing the systemic barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals, the team focused on reintegration and civic inclusion:

•  Partnered with Restore Her to register felons to vote, completing dozens of registrations and empowering disenfranchised individuals.

•  Conducted extensive research into reentry challenges, identifying barriers such as housing discrimination and employment hurdles.

•  Advocated for voting rights reforms, ensuring that formerly incarcerated individuals have a voice in shaping their communities.

This team’s advocacy efforts spotlighted the need for systemic reform to create a more just and inclusive society for all.

5. Violence Capstone Team:

Addressing the Culture of Violence in the United States

As a newly established team, this group tackled the multifaceted issue of violence, examining its root causes and societal impact:

•  Explored the connections between mass shootings, domestic violence, and sexually-based violence, identifying common patterns and potential interventions.

•  Analyzed how international conflict and domestic policies influence cultural attitudes toward violence.

•  Proposed actionable strategies for mitigating violence through education, policy reform, and community engagement.

This team’s work provides a foundation for comprehensive approaches to reducing harm and fostering safety in communities nationwide.

Spelman Students Illuminate the Legacy of Civil Rights Through Research

The Spelman Social Justice Department, led by Dr. Cynthia Spence, partnered to fund and research the first official research project of the Lowery Collection, donated to Woodruff Library by the Lowery Trust in 2001. Spelman College students Hailey Jones and Milena Clark undertook a year-long research project under the guidance of Dr. Nafessa Muhammad.

•  Delved into the Lowerys’ work in challenging apartheid in South Africa, uncovering their international impact on the civil rights movement.

•  Highlighted the global dimensions of the Lowerys’ activism, connecting their efforts to contemporary struggles for justice and equality. This research underscores the importance of preserving history and using it to inform current social justice initiatives.

Expanding Impact Beyond Capstones

Change Agents go beyond their Capstone work to serve their communities directly. In 2024, they:

•  Led leadership workshops in Atlanta Public Schools, teaching conflict resolution, anti-bullying, and literacy skills.

•  Hosted The Change podcast, amplifying diverse voices and fostering dialogue on pressing social issues.

•  Coordinated Mimi’s Pantry, providing vital food resources to students and the surrounding Westside Atlanta community.

•  Represented the Lowery Institute alongside the CEO on television and at city-wide cultural events.

Grounded in History, Soaring Towards the Future

On October 6, 2024, the Lowery Institute hosted its annual fundraiser at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. This bi-annual event was the culmination of a year-long fundraising campaign that raised over $300,000 in funds to support our future programming but also featured an impactful conversation with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and political analysts Tharon Johnson and Alisha Thomas Searcy from The Georgia Gang, a weekly political talk show. We are grateful to MARTA for presenting the Lowery bus as a part of its Black History tribute.

Event Highlights

• Fundraising Success: The one-year fundraising campaign garnered significant support, ensuring the continuation and expansion of the Lowery Institute’s impactful programs.

• Inspiring Dialogue: A thought-provoking discussion with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and esteemed political analysts provided deep insights into current political landscapes and the importance of civic engagement.

• Community Engagement: Attendees connected with leaders, activists, and community members, strengthening the network committed to social justice and positive change.

Why It Matters

This fundraiser was more than just an event—it was a reaffirmation of our mission and the collective commitment to social justice. By uniting influential voices and passionate supporters, we amplified the legacy of Dr. Joseph and Evelyn Lowery. The funds raised directly impact our initiatives, enabling us to continue nurturing leaders, fostering dialogue, and driving actionable change toward a more equitable future.