John Lewis Institute Trains Ministers in Public Leadership, Advocacy

In 2022, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded a $38,027 Access Grant to HIU's Howard Thurman Center (HTC). This funding allowed the HTC to establish the John Lewis Institute for Public Leadership project, which has trained over 50 Black and Latinx clergy members through workshops, webinars, and mentorships. The program, which culminated its work this year, is rooted in the 40-year legacy of the Howard Thurman Center's Black Ministries Program and focused on advocacy, government, and public leadership. 

The project's key achievements include hosting a Hartford mayoral forum touted as a “safe space” for the faith community, civic engagement webinars, and distributing voter education materials to forty-two congregations. The initiative also supported Connecticut’s first Civic Engagement Day in September 2024 and a clergy-focused Civic Engagement Toolkit.

The program also adapted to challenges, including addressing post-election fatigue and trauma among clergy by hosting a self-care seminar with Rev. Dr. F. Jerry Streets of the Yale School of Social Work.

Success was measured through a marked rise in civic activity. A recent grant report noted that the program’s “ripple effect” was clear, with increased clergy involvement in public meetings and voter registration drives. Geolocated data from coalition partner CTData.org confirmed similar upward trends in the neighborhoods served by participating faith communities.

Looking ahead, the John Lewis Institute plans to host a webinar series to launch the Toolkit and will relaunch its full programming in Fall 2026 when the Howard Thurman Center moves to its new home at 125 Sherman Street in Hartford.

“Our work does not end here,” said Beverne Cordner, Director of Operations for the Howard Thurman Center. “As we prepare to move into our new home — the Andrew Young Building on HIU’s campus — we remain committed to being outward-facing and open to the wider community. We invite faith leaders from all traditions to come, learn, and be inspired by Thurman’s enduring message: that genuine faith leads to social responsibility. In the spirit of this message, the Howard Thurman Center invites clergy, lay leaders, students, and community partners to join us in shaping a new era of faith-rooted civic engagement. Whether through collaboration, enrollment, or participation in upcoming events, your voice and vision are needed.”

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families, and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $894 million since its founding in 1925. 

 To learn more, get involved, or explore partnership opportunities with the HTC, please contact:
 HowardThurmanCenter@hartfordinternational.edu