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May 9, 2022
THE NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION (NCBCP) LAUNCHES NCBCP THOMAS W. DORTCH JR. INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOUTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE IN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH CLARK A
Atlanta, GA (May 9th, 2022) – On April 28th, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) officially launched its historic partnership between Clark Atlanta University (CAU) and NCBCP to officially dedicate the NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Southern Civic Engagement, Leadership & Social Justice Institute (NCBCP TWD Social Justice Institute) and Southern Regional Office.
The Institute was dedicated on CAU’s campus as part of President George T. French’s official inauguration ceremonies. The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation has partnered with Clark Atlanta University to expand, deepen and strengthen its work in The South and nationally by establishing The NCBCP TWD Jr. Institute on the campus of CAU.
Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP President & CEO and Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman of the NCBCP Board of Directors, and CAU President George T. French hosted a dedication ceremony that included an inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by an open house at the Institute's offices located on the university grounds.
Powered by NCBCP’s initial $1 million investment, the Dortch Institute will also provide internships, graduate assistantships, and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students at CAU and other HBCUs. Topically, the internships and fellowships will focus on voting rights, racial justice, economics, and other social justice issues affecting Black and other communities impacted by systemic racism and social injustice.
The NCBCP, which is the country’s longest-serving and largest historically Black-led national civil rights coalition, has a historic reach in the South, where active and robust state-based affiliates are based. This partnership will build on the NCBCP’s 45 years of work in the region, helping to implement additional strategic and effective programming, training, issue advocacy, and entrepreneurship institutes throughout Black urban and rural communities across the South, from Louisiana to Virginia.
Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP President Stated, “Recent history has shown us it is critical to expand our democracy work in the South, where over 60 percent of the Black population lives. As we enter a new chapter in our nation’s history, we are delighted to partner with Clark Atlanta University to dedicate 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.”
“Partnering with the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation to launch the Thomas W. Dortch Jr., Institute for Leadership Development, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Justice and their southern region headquarters is an outstanding effort that continues Clark Atlanta University's commitment to the betterment of our community and our nation. Historically Clark Atlanta University and its students have been at the forefront of these issues; one example of that fact would be the Atlanta Student Movement,” said President George T. French Jr., Ph.D. “This institute will serve as a hub for organizing and black civic participation among youth and students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I believe it will empower our youth and help to protect our democracy.”
Chairman of the NCBCP Board of Directors, Tommy Dortch, “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 dedicated the Institute named in my honor and the national village of stakeholders who continue to dedicate their lives for equality, equity and social justice.”
The institute is supported by Dr. William Pickard, Verizon Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Comcast NBC Universal and the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.
The program and official dedication ceremony can be viewed on @NCBCP’s Facebook Page here.
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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 and power building 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.
The NCBCP TWD Social Justice Institute is focused 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. It provides internships, research assistantships and fellowships annually to undergraduate and graduate students at CAU and other HBCUs in the South, with a specific focus on voting rights, racial, economic, gender & social issues affecting Black and other communities impacted by systemic racism, inequities and injustice.
