2025 Year In Review
Total students Impacted – 18,000
Total pounds distributed by Pantry – 75,680.50
Change Agents trained – 100
From the CEO/President
This year reminded us that the work is now, and because of you, we continue that work with care, courage, and commitment.
Together, we activated the legacy of Joseph and Evelyn Lowery’s advocacy and contributions, not as history alone, but as living, breathing action, showing up for students, communities, and one another when it mattered most.
What we accomplished together:
Expanded Mimi’s Pantry across the AUC
With pantries at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College and welcoming students from Morris Brown College and Morehouse School of Medicine, we increased the number of students served by 2,160, a 45% increase over the prior year. In total, we provided more than 8,220 shopping experiences, ensuring students had access to food when they needed it most. Because leadership cannot grow on an empty stomach.
Trained and mobilized Change Agents
Thousands of college and youth leaders engaged in civic education, nonviolent advocacy, policy research, and community organizing, working every day for the common good.
Advanced Scholar Activist Capstones
Students addressed urgent challenges including food insecurity, civic engagement, educational equity, and international human rights, transforming research into action.
Reached students earlier
Through Rising Change Agent programs, tutoring, and summer learning experiences, middle and high school students began building the academic confidence and leadership skills that will carry them forward.
Activated a living legacy
While 1.5 football fields’ worth of Joseph and Evelyn Lowery’s papers are preserved at the AUC Woodruff Library, we continue the most important work..bringing those values to life through students who lead, organize, and serve.
Your time, partnership, trust, and belief in this mission make our work possible and impactful. Because of you, students are nourished, leaders are trained, and communities are strengthened.
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude, clarity, and hope. Ready to continue this work together.
With sincere thanks,
Cheryl Lowery
CHANGE AGENT PROGRAM: Empowering Leaders, Transforming Communities
Because of You… we impacted over 18,000 students during 2025… for the common good…
Since the inception of our Change Agent Program in 2013, over 1,150 collegiate change agents have served with the Institute to work directly with at-risk populations and create tangible change. These efforts have included teaching conflict resolution, anti-bullying, and literacy efforts in Atlanta Public Schools, registering college students and neighbors to vote, and raising awareness about legislative issues affecting college students in Atlanta and our communities, both domestically and internationally.
Change Agents contribute across multiple platforms including the Scholar Activist Capstone Program, Mimi’s Pantry, and our Rising Change Agent K–12 immersive learning initiative—all designed to foster meaningful service and learning opportunities throughout the community.
This year has presented many challenges for college students across the United States. Changes to SNAP, and rising costs have created financial hardships for students. Rising international crises, domestic tensions, and elections have forced our Change Agents to find their voices in new and innovative ways.
This Year
January – December 2025
Number of Change Agents: 100
Number of Capstone Teams: 6
Universities represented:
– Morehouse College
– Spelman College
– Howard University
– North Carolina A&T
– Emory University
Lowery Institute Capstone Focuses:
Food Insecurity
The Food Insecurity Capstone team is continuing past efforts to advance food security on college campuses. This year, college students from across the United States, worked to synthesize years of research to create a draft of legislation to address collegiate food insecurity – The Student Nutrition and Access Reform Act.
The purpose of this legislation is to create solutions to make it easier for college students to qualify for SNAP benefits. The bill addresses these key areas of reform:
- Work Requirement reform: The bill changes key language so that student credit hours (i.e. the hours spent in class) count as employment hours, thus making it easier for students to qualify for benefits
- Income Requirement: The bill also removes scholarships and financial aid from being accounted for as income
- Grants/Incentives: The bill would establish a grant program to incentivize grocery stores to be built within one mile of college campuses, which would remove the problem of food deserts near college campuses
Change Agents continue to lift their voices by working to educate community members, students, and legislators about the importance of this legislation and advocating for local and national passage of the Student Nutrition and Access Reform Act.
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement is at the heart of what we do at the Lowery Institute. Despite the challenges facing our communities and students in 2025, Change Agents have remained firmly committed to impacting our democracy through direct action and promoting participation in the electoral process.
In addition to conducting voter registration events, education sessions, and organizing Rides to the Polls for students during local elections, Change Agents engaged in immersive learning at the Georgia Capitol to discuss several key items of legislation that affected college students. These bills included efforts to reform electoral access in Georgia, ban DEI efforts on college campuses, and ban the use of electronic devices in elementary, middle, and high schools. Students also worked to identify upcoming legislative priorities, in preparation to launch voter awareness campaigns in the Spring of 2026.
Education
The Lowery Institute is proud to have served in Atlanta Public Schools since 2013. Our Servant Leadership program supplements and reinforces leadership and conflict resolution skills that lead to academic success. Intergenerational transfer of knowledge is what we believe is most effective with students K-12. This means that the most impressionable interaction with these students is with Collegiate Change Agents.
Our Education Capstone Change Agents worked to assist our 14 Saturdays to L.E.A.D program by providing mentorship and tutoring to the students participating in the program. Additionally, they have identified and began attending school board meetings (virtually) in Dekalb County and Fulton county to gain an understanding of the processes and activities of these boards and begun to explore the challenges facing K-12 students in Atlanta, in terms of retention rates and impacts of technology and software on student learning outcomes.
In the Spring of 2026, the Change Agents will continue to attend school board meetings, raise awareness about legislation in the Georgia General Assembly that impacts education, and use their voices to educate their peers about the effects of the reduction in the Department of Education on K-12 students and collegiate students.
International Human Rights (Fall 2025)
In the Fall of 2025, the Lowery Institute launched a new capstone focused on analyzing the intersection of international human rights and the civil rights movement. Capstone students explored several ongoing international crises, including the Israeli-Palestinian war, the Sudanese civil war, and the conflict in Nigeria.
Change Agents also examined historical trends between the American Civil Rights movement and international movements and events. In the Spring, students plan to host events and town halls geared to educate the AUC campus about human rights issues, and current and existing conflicts. Additionally, they are planning to work with the AUC community to develop initiatives to benefit international students in the Spring of 2026, including mental health support and post collegiate planning.
2025 Democracy Forum
On April 26, 2025, the Lowery Institute proudly hosted its End-of-Year Forum to celebrate the powerful work of 50 collegiate Change Agents. The forum served as a culminating moment to honor their year of service, showcase student-led capstone projects, and collaboratively set priorities for the year ahead. The event’s theme, Reclaiming Our Democracy, grounded every conversation in urgency, action, and hope.
Through facilitated roundtable discussions, Change Agents were joined by invited community Thought Leaders—Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams, Henrietta Antoinin, and Representative Bryce Berry—who shared their insights and experiences in key issue areas: Civic Engagement, Education Equity, and Economic Justice & Food Insecurity.
These discussions provided space for intergenerational exchange, policy analysis, and bold visioning for the future. Whether drafting new legislation like the Student Nutrition and Access Reform Act or organizing grassroots movements, our Change Agents continue to model what civic leadership looks like in action.
This gathering was more than a celebration—it was a platform for strategy. With over 30,000 community touchpoints reached during the academic year, the forum affirmed the Lowery Institute’s mission: equip, elevate, and empower young leaders to protect and transform democracy.
MIMI’S PANTRY: A Beacon of Hope
How Your Support Helped Us Serve
Total Gross Students Served: 8,220
Total Weight Distributed (Students): 46,098.54 lbs
Total Weight Distributed (Community): 29,582 lbs
Total Weight Distributed (Gross): 75,680.54 lbs
Year-Over-Year Change (from 2024): Because of you we served More
- Gross Students: Increased by 2,160 recipients – 45.73 %
- Total Weight Distributed: Decreased by 11.9 %
The pantry saw an increase of 45% in the number of students who utilized Mimi’s Pantry. Simply put, the need is greater than ever. Simultaneously, increased efficiency by our pantry staff and organizational efforts to emphasize receiving and distributing more fresh items resulted in a decrease in the weight of food items distributed via the pantry.
Looking ahead, Mimi’s Pantry remains focused on strengthening existing locations and offering healthy options while addressing food insecurity. We look forward to answering the call to create a satellite at Morehouse School of Medicine in early 2026.
2025 Mimi’s Pantry Community Partnerships
Mimi’s Pantry is deeply grateful for the generosity of community partners who provided monetary and in-kind support throughout the year. We extend our sincere thanks to Daughters of the Holy Cross (Fayetteville, GA Chapter), OITC, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Impact United Methodist Church.
We also thank the “Sweet” Alpha Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Beta Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, for their canned food donations.
Additional appreciation is extended to The Camellia Rose Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for their donation of $10,000 as well as their service to the pantry. Thank you to the Dogwood City Chapter of the Links, Incorporated for their service and for covering transportation costs for food pickups from the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Our partnership with the Buckhead City Chapter of the Links, Incorporated continues as their 2024 donation of $20,000 impacted the first semester of this year. Thank you.
2025 Testimonials
Mimi’s Pantry has helped lessen the financial burden of buying groceries for me over the past year. As a commuter student working full-time, I was dealing with a lot and worried about how I would keep my fridge stocked each week. Knowing that I could come in, register, and shop weekly for groceries has truly been a blessing.
Thank you to Mimi’s Pantry for all of your continued support.
– Spelman College Student
– Parent of Kyla Deadwyler
I was really grateful to have access to fresh produce through Mimi’s Pantry. Being able to shop for fruits and vegetables made it easier for me to eat healthier without stressing about the cost. Knowing that I had a place on campus where I could pick out fresh options each week was a huge help.
Mimi’s Pantry truly made a difference for me, and I’m thankful for the support it provides to students like me.
– Clark Atlanta University Student
Mimi’s Pantry really came through for me when I needed it. Being able to shop for groceries on campus took a lot of stress off my plate, especially during busy weeks. Having access to food without worrying about the cost made it easier for me to stay focused on my classes and take care of myself.
I’m truly thankful for Mimi’s Pantry and the support it provides to Morehouse students.
– Morehouse College Student
2025 Immersive Learning Program
14 Saturdays to L.E.A.D. Leadership and Literacy
Through the use of two nationally recognized, state-of-the-art instructional platforms—LEXIA PowerUp Literacy and ALEKS Math—students receive personalized, adaptive instruction tailored to their individual learning needs. LEXIA PowerUp supports the development of essential English language arts skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar, while ALEKS Math helps students strengthen foundational math concepts through ongoing assessment and guided practice.
In the Spring our LEAD program will continue using the two online programs to support academic student success. Additionally through a series of subject matter experts as guest presenters and collegiate scholars the LEAD students will begin training in concepts and attributes that are associated with servant leadership.
2025 Testimonials
— Kenya Manchester
– Parent of Kyla Deadwyler
— Ruth Walker Simpson
“Having my child in the Saturday program has been an incredible value this year. I’ve seen growth in confidence, communication, and curiosity — they come home excited to share what they learned and who they met. We are grateful for the investment your team continues to make in our young people.”
— Greg Mullins
“Empowering young people to understand that leadership and academic success are deeply interconnected is essential to their growth and success. By fostering civic engagement, we teach them that true leadership is about working together for the common good, driving positive change, and building stronger, more unified communities.”
2025 In-School Initiative Program
The grant we received from the City of Atlanta was a key factor in our ability to influence the development of the Collegiate Experience Cohort of 22 8th-grade students at Herman J. Russell West End Academy. Our program stands as a testament to the city’s and school’s commitment to empowering the next generation of community leaders, advocates, and change agents.
In 2025, our Change Agents worked in two Atlanta Public Schools — Herman J. Russell West End Academy and Washington High School. At Herman J. Russell West End Academy, Change Agents from Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College worked with a cohort of twenty-two 8th graders in a Servant Leadership Collegiate Experience program. Through this program, students were exposed to servant leadership constructs, and their academic success was supported through tutoring sessions in Math and Language Arts, resulting in over 680 student impact hours.
In the Spring of 2026, we will continue to engage with our partner schools to provide servant leadership training and literacy and tutoring. We will continue to explore new partnerships with Atlanta Public Schools to impact more students and academically assist students in need.
Lowery Institute Rising Change Agent Summer Camp
Sponsored by the City of Atlanta “Finding the Leader in You”
This summer, students took part in a transformative two-week experience focused on entrepreneurship and civic leadership. During the first week, campers explored how businesses start and grow, learned the basics of smart money decisions, and worked in teams to develop their own business ideas. They visited the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and Black Art in America and heard from guest speakers, Mark Kendall and CEO Noelle Jones of WeThriveMedia. Their week culminated by pitching their business plans to a panel of local entrepreneurs during our Rising Change Agent Tank.
In the second week, the focus shifted to democracy. Students explored how the government works, why voting matters, and how everyday citizens can create change. They learned about sentencing from their visit with Fulton County Superior Court with Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville, learned about how government works by touring Atlanta City Hall with Ashley Dent from the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, then participated in a powerful full-day trip to Montgomery, Alabama, where they toured the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park and gained an understanding of how our history impacts our democracy. Through workshops, a mock voting activity, presentations from Blake Osborne and Sue Ross, and a powerful lesson on voter suppression from Cheryl Lowery, students gained a deeper understanding of democracy and their future role in it.
Registration for the 2026 Rising Change Agent Summer Camp opens in March 2026— Get ready to rise!
Thank You to our 2025 Partners…
We Couldn’t Do This Work Without Your Support
– P Three Consulting
– Lloyd and Melissa Pierce
– William Josef Foundation
– Oprah Winfrey Scholars
– Church of the Incarnation
– Georgia Alliance
– Spelman Social Justice Department
– Morehouse College Bonner Scholars
– Spelman College Bonner Scholars
– Concrete Jungle
– Second Helpings Atlanta
– Helping Mamas
– Buckhead Cascade Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
– Camellia Rose Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
– Dogwood City (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Race Toward Reconciliation Book Club
2025 Highlights
- Celebrated MLK Day and Black History Month with a special webinar and book discussion centered on The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward by Attorney Bakari Sellers in partnership with Mount Holyoke College.
- Explored impactful titles including Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley, Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, and 107 Days by Kamala Harris, addressing anti-Black racism, reproductive justice, women’s rights and a woman’s campaign for President of the United States..
“One of the most significant aspects of any conversation around racial justice is the ability to share authentic, vulnerable experiences,” shared Dr. Sanders-McMurtry. “Our book club builds bridges, deepens understanding, and honors the legacy of Drs. Joseph and Evelyn Lowery.”
Join us in the Spring of 2026 as we begin our year reading, The Movement Made Us by David Dennis Jr., followed by Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson.
Evelyn Gibson Lowery Civil Rights Tour 2.O
Each museum site offers a profound and immersive experience, telling the stories of African American and Indigenous peoples’ struggles, resilience, and historical journeys in America – particularly in the south. Through compelling video, audio, and sculpture, history comes alive in ways that are both educational and deeply moving.
We closed the day gathered together for a catered Southern soul food dinner, where participants reflected on their individual experiences. Emotions ran deep—some were moved to tears, others reconnected with personal encounters with racism, and many, especially the young adults, felt a renewed call to action. The shared takeaway was clear, honoring the past also means taking responsibility for the future and ensuring that these injustices are never repeated.
Fundraising
This year, our programs experienced significant growth. We expanded Mimi’s Pantry across the Atlanta University Center, increased the number of students served by 45%, and provided more than 8,220 shopping experiences to students facing food insecurity. We are planning a 4th pantry location at Morehouse School of Medicine. At the same time, our Change Agents and Scholar Activists continued to lead, research, and organize around issues that directly affect their campuses, communities and futures.
With this growth comes increased responsibility. Demand for food access, leadership training, and student support continues to rise, and sustaining this momentum requires thoughtful, consistent investment.
To meet this need, we are engaged in a year-round fundraising campaign focused on strengthening our programs and building long-term sustainability. While the campaign will culminate in a signature fundraising event in October 2026, support throughout the year is essential to maintaining expanded operations and ensuring that student needs are met without interruption.
Funds raised through this campaign support:
- Continued operation and expansion of Mimi’s Pantry across the AUC
- Increased capacity to meet rising student demand
- Ongoing training and support for Change Agents and Scholar Activists
- Organizational infrastructure that allows us to grow responsibly and sustainably
As we close the year, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that our growth is matched with stability—and that our impact continues to reach those who need it most.
The work is now, and together, we are building the foundation to carry it forward.
A Look Ahead
The Lowery Institute remains steadfast in our mission to inspire, empower, and unify communities. Yet, the transformative work we do depends on the collective support of partners and individuals like you.
With your help, we aim to expand our reach, impacting 25% more students by 2026. Your contributions directly sustain initiatives and provide stipends for college student Change Agents who need money as well as training, equipping young leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to address systemic challenges and to build a brighter future.
Each dollar fuels impactful programs, nurtures the next generation of changemakers, and ensures that the youth we serve are prepared to lead with courage, empathy, and purpose. Together, we can shape a future defined by justice, compassion, and opportunity for all.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our major and annual partners who make this work possible. Your continued support allows us to plan strategically and measure our impact.. Thank you, every individual, every student, every business …thank you for every donation, large and small- you make this work possible.
LOWERY INSTITUTE Staff Board of Directors
– Staff –
Blake Osborne | Director of Programming
Blanche Blackwell Payne | Director of Leadership Development
Kierra M. Wilson | Mimi’s Pantry Manager
– Board Of Directors –
Lolita Browning Jackson
Gwenne Campbell | Treasurer
Imara Canady | Vice Chair
Joshua Dubois
George French Jr.
Terrinee Gundy
Cheryl Lowery | President/CEO
Karen Lowery
Kevin Murriel
Blake Osborne
Vicki Palmer
Lloyd Pierce
Wanda Rodwell
Jennifer Rogers-Givens | Secretary
Kijua Sanders-McMurtry | Chair
Scott Satterwhite
Alisha Thomas Searcy
Derek Watkins
Nikema Williams