Tennessee Tribune
July 5-11, 2007
Training the Next Wave of Social Justice Leaders
(Washington, D.C.)-In what it is becoming a growing nationwide trend to develop young progressive leaders in political and community organizing, national social justice nonprofit, Center for Community Change, launches its competitive Generation Change program and selects local Nashville student Eric Brown. The 2007-08 Senior Class President at American Baptist College, looks forward to a summer internship right in his backyard at Tying Nashville Together (TNT), a broad-based, interfaith organization that brings people of different walks of life to work together to change and improve their community.
"I want to make giving back to society a priority," said Eric Brown. "Through this opportunity I'll be able to develop more skills so in the future I can achieve my goals of improving the public school system and being a part of a ministry that deals with worker justice and rebuilding black internships."
Eric is one of 25 exceptional young leaders invited to participate in the national Generation Change program, which kicked off its 2007 class with a three-day training in Nashville, Tennessee on June 3rd. Seven other interns including Jessica Lotz from Memphis will intern in Nashville. Elizabeth Hopkins from Johnston City will intern in Knoxville. A total of nine students will spend their summer working in Tennessee as part of the program. Like many in the program, Eric is already making his mark. As an organizer, Eric participated in the Living Wage campaign at Vanderbilt University, helping to secure a 30% raise for employees.
"Generation Change is an ambitious initiative of the Center for Community Change to develop this country's next generation of community organizers before this work retires with the baby boomers who make up the majority of this field," says Susan China, program director. "Nothing is more important to America's future than to nurture the next generation of social justice leaders. Our driving mission is to identify the best, train them to excel and support them in their journey to make a difference in this world."
Generation Change focuses on people aged 20 to 40, offering them several levels of training and support. The internship program introduces young people to grassroots community organizing and helps develop leadership skills, the fellowship program helps new organizers develop skills and find full-time positions, and the mentorship program enables mid-level community organizers to enhance skills and broaden their perspectives.
As young leaders graduate from the intern program, they become part of a vibrant Alumni Association that is a growing national network of individuals and organizations committed to addressing poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity, especially at the community level. By 2011, more than 650 interns, fellows, and mentees will be supported annually.
Born August 21, 1983, in Nashville, TN, Eric is a senior at American Baptist College in the same city. He is the 2007-08 Senior Class President of the Student Government Association, President of his chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and a member of the Hoi Adelphoi Praternity, Inc. He participated in the Living Wage campaign at Vandeybilt University, helping to secure a 30% raise for employees thanks to community organizing (which he was proud to be a part of!). There are three particular areas that Eric would like to focus his time on after graduation: Improving the public school system, working with a rape center focused on truth and reconciliation, and being part of a ministry that deals with worker justice and rebuilding black neighborhoods.
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