The K.H. Lockett Truth and Justice Fellowship
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The K.H. Lockett Truth and Justice Fellowship is a highly selective undergraduate pathway for students committed to careers in law, journalism, and public service.
The inaugural Fellowship placement will be hosted by the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, where the Fellow will work full-time for ten weeks within a nationally recognized public-interest organization advancing justice through litigation, advocacy, and public education. The Fellowship emphasizes immersion, responsibility, and values-based leadership, preparing participants to contribute meaningfully to public-interest work.
Awarded through a competitive selection process, the Fellowship recognizes academic excellence, demonstrated service, and the capacity to meet the exacting demands of principled civic leadership.
Program Design
The K.H. Lockett Truth and Justice Fellowship is designed as an immersive, full-time experience intended to mirror the demands of real public-interest work.
Each Fellow completes a ten-week, forty-hour-per-week placement at a mission-aligned host institution in Atlanta. For the inaugural year, the Fellowship will be hosted by the Southern Center for Human Rights, where the Fellow will contribute directly to ongoing litigation, advocacy, communications, and public education efforts.
The Fellowship prioritizes depth over breadth. Rather than rotating through short-term projects, Fellows are embedded within a single organization and expected to assume meaningful responsibility over the course of the summer. In addition to on-site supervision, Fellows receive structured mentorship from The Kenneth Lockett Foundation and opportunities to engage with attorneys, journalists, advocates, and civic leaders across Georgia.
This design reflects the Foundation’s belief that principled civic leadership is developed through sustained exposure, accountability, and guided practice, not observation alone.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:
- Be at least 18 years old by the start of the Fellowship
- Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student who will hold junior or senior standing (at least 60 completed credit hours) by the start of the Fellowship
- Be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university located in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area
- Be in good academic standing at the time of application
- Not have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the Fellowship start date
- Be available to participate full-time, on-site for the entire ten-week program
- Be able to work in person at the Atlanta headquarters of the Southern Center for Human Rights for the duration of the Fellowship
The Fellowship is open to students of all citizenship and residency statuses. Applicants are not required to be Georgia residents, but must be willing and able to live and work in the Atlanta area for the full duration of the program.
Selection Criteria
Fellows are selected through a competitive review process designed to identify students prepared to meet the demands of serious public-interest work.
Selection is based on a holistic assessment of each applicant, including:
- Academic preparation, particularly coursework relevant to law, journalism, public policy, or related fields
- Demonstrated commitment to service, civic engagement, or public-interest work
- Evidence of initiative and responsibility, including leadership roles, independent projects, or sustained involvement in mission-driven organizations
- Capacity for growth, reflection, and professional maturity in high-stakes environments
The Foundation places particular value on applicants whose paths reflect resilience, curiosity, and a sustained interest in contributing to the public good. Selection decisions are made in consultation with the Foundation’s Advisory Board and the Southern Center for Human Rights, with the goal of identifying one Fellow each year whose background, aspirations, and temperament align closely with the Fellowship’s purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fellows are compensated at a rate of $20 per hour and are paid biweekly throughout the duration of the Fellowship.
Applicants may only submit one application per Fellowship cycle. However, individuals who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply in subsequent cycles.
Fellows are not required to live in Atlanta but must have the ability to be physically present at their places of employment for the duration of the Fellowship. Please note that the Foundation does not provide assistance with transportation or housing.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Fellowship. Beyond this, there is no age limit, and applications from students of nontraditional backgrounds are encouraged.
Deadlines vary by cycle. Applicants are advised to check the Fellowship’s official website for the most up-to-date timeline and details.
Fellows are chosen by a selection committee through a competitive process based on academic standing, demonstrated commitment to public service, and the potential to grow as a servant leader.
The Kenneth Lockett Foundation is a social impact organization that invests in the next generation of civic leaders by building pathways into public service, law, and journalism. Guided by a commitment to the public interest, the Foundation is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and dedicated to shaping a more just, informed, and engaged society.
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