National youth Advocacy Corps

Visitors to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights witness the bold legacy of young trailblazers like 19-year-old John Lewis, Catherine Burks-Brooks, Rabbi Israel “Si” Dresner, Stokely Carmichael, and Mae Francis Moultrie—students and young adults who fearlessly challenged injustice across the American South. These young activists, trained in the discipline and power of nonviolent resistance, ignited movements that changed the course of history. From Claudette Colvin’s early role in bus boycotts to the schoolhouse courage of Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine, youth have always been the driving force behind our most powerful movements for justice.

Yet, too few cultural institutions today actively invest in preparing the next generation of changemakers. We believe that must change.

Launched in 2023, the LGBTQ+ Institute’s National Youth Advocacy Research Corps is already three cohorts strong, and growing. This dynamic, year-long fellowship empowers young leaders ages 15 to 25 with mentorship, training, and a national network of support to bridge their social justice passions with real-world professional pathways. It’s not just for LGBTQ+ youth—it’s a collaborative space where a diverse cohort of Gen Z advocates come together to tackle urgent social justice issues, from racial justice and public health to education access and workplace equity.

The advocacy-based research is rooted in 4 pillars our scholars integrate:

Intersectionality
We ground all of our work in an intersectional framework, recognizing that systems of power and oppression—racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and more—do not operate in isolation. Our fellows are encouraged to examine every issue through a multifaceted lens that honors the complexity of identity, lived experience, and systemic inequity. This pillar ensures that our advocacy is not only inclusive but also deeply informed and justice-centered.

Research
We believe that bold ideas are made stronger when built on a foundation of knowledge. Fellows engage deeply with existing research in their area of focus—not to replicate what's already been said, but to understand the landscape and offer innovative, forward-thinking insights. By connecting passion with scholarly rigor, our fellows produce work that is both visionary and credible.

History
Rooted within the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, we know that today’s movements are part of a larger continuum of struggle and progress. Our fellows examine their topics with a historical lens, drawing lessons from past civil and human rights efforts to inform the strategies of today. This connection to history ensures that our work honors legacy while driving toward liberation.

Public Policy
Every research team is challenged to consider the real-world impact of their work. Is there a local, state, or national policy that needs to change? A new recommendation that could spark meaningful reform? This pillar empowers our fellows to translate their research into action—contributing to tangible solutions through informed, equity-driven policy proposals.

As we continue to witness antisemitism and islamophobia, an increase in racially motivated hate crimes and threats to women’s rights, as well as escalating attacks on transgender and non-binary people fueled by misinformation and fear, our mission is clear: to equip young people to lead boldly and knowledgeably. The rights of all these groups are civil rights—and human rights—and we believe Gen Z is uniquely equipped to enable freedom and justice with vision, empathy, and unstoppable resolve.

TEAM NYAC

The National Youth Advocacy Corps will be centered around collaborative learning opportunities where scholars are paired with another member of the cohort to address a shared social justice issue. The Institute’s Executive Director, Tim’m West, with the support our Advisory Board, will guide the fellows through a year-long experience that will:

• Offer an introduction to subject matter experts in advocacy education

• Provide opportunities for students to gain fundamental DE&I learning and development 

• Illuminate connections between our historical civil and human rights issues 

• Apply areas of interest to data and research (e.g., LGBTQ Institue Southern Survey).

• Pair student pairs with seasoned advocates who guide their strategic proposals.

• Nurture a strong camaraderie between emerging leaders who collectively actualize their thought leadership to shift both perspectives and public policy.

The Fellowship is centered around collaborative learning opportunities where scholars are paired with another member of the cohort to address an LGBTQ equity issue. The Institute’s Executive Director, Tim’m West, with the support of our Advisory Board, will guide the fellows through this year-long experience that will culminate in a presentation at our LGBTQ Institute Symposium in June 2024.

Who are our advocates? (see bios below)

Our 2023 and 2024 fellowship cohort reflects young people from all over the nation including California, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. Our graduates attend colleges including but not limited to: Bowdoin College, Cal Poly State University, Case Western Reserve University, Chapman University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, Fordham University, Georgia State University, Loyola Marymount University, Morehouse College, Northeastern University, Spelman College, Stanford University, Tulane University, Tuskegee University, UCLA, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin, and Yale.