The Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD) was recently awarded $1 million from the The Lilly Endowment Inc., a private philanthropic foundation, to launch the Ethical Leadership and Racial Justice Initiative.
In a nutshell, the initiative will fund a cohort program for students whose academic interests align with ethical leadership and racial justice. It will support students who are pursuing theological training in an effort to develop solution-based practices for the nation’s socio-political, economic and moral crises.
One of the goals is to bridge the gap between public policy and faith-centered ethical reasoning by inviting visiting scholars and practitioners to the campus community, such as clergy and lay leaders, who are committed to racial justice. Moreover, this will include a certificate program.
“The Howard University School of Divinity is honored to be awarded such a significant grant from the Lilly Endowment to support our Ethical Leadership and Racial Justice Initiative,” said Dr.Yolanda Pierce, dean of the School of Divinity. “As one of only six historically Black theological institutions in the nation, and the only one located within a research university, Howard University School of Divinity is in a unique position to train those committed to racial justice for ethical leadership in today’s complex and globally connected world. We are grateful for the student funding this grant provides, and we look forward to the research, guest speakers, and curriculum enhancements that will ensue from this partnership.”