Center for Civic Leadership

From 1830 until well after the Civil War, African Americans gathered across the United States and Canada to participate in political meetings held at the state and National levels. A cornerstone of Black organizing in the 19th century, these “Colored Conventions” brought black men and women together in a decades-long campaign for civil and human rights.

Join Dr. P. Gabrielle Foreman - 2022 MacArthur Fellow and Professor of English, African American Studies, and History at Penn State University - and the Rice and University of Houston Phi Beta Kappa chapters on March 7th, to discuss “Why Didn’t We Know?!: The Forgotten History of the Colored Conventions and 19th Century Black Political Organizing”

Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
6:00PM

Houston Independent School District received $300,000 in funding from business leaders to expand access to recycling within the district.

The pilot Zero-Waste Project, a partnership between Exxon Mobil, Lyondell Basell and Tricon, will utilize a reduce, reuse and recycle sustainability plan focusing on material recycling, composting and waste management comprising 20 campuses from administration buildings to high schools in the district.

A team of Rice University [HART] undergraduate students will also be helping HISD in sustainability research and policy for its new program. The first phase of the research will focus on engaging with literature, case studies and informational interviews to gauge how HISD can move toward zero waste.

The second phase will allow a continuation of consultants’ findings on curriculum, logistics and operations, and economic value and sustainability.

Read more about this initiative at the link in our bio!

Rice Senior Joseph Asfouri Awarded Prestigious Churchill Scholarship

“Moments after a post-finals session of piano practice at home during winter break in Austin, Rice senior and electrical engineering and neuroscience student Joseph Asfouri learned he’d be packing his bags for England come fall 2023, as he’d been named one of a select few American students to be awarded the prestigious Churchill Scholarship at the University of Cambridge.

The scholarship is awarded to 18 graduating U.S. college students annually, who then go on to study for one year at Churchill College in Cambridge — whose college system was one of the inspirations for Rice’s residential colleges — to earn specialized master’s degrees. Asfouri is only the second Rice student in nearly three decades to receive the honor; Alex Hwang ’19 was named a Churchill Scholar in 2019.

Asfouri was quick to credit the support he received from Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership (CCL), whose staff he explained were invaluable advisers throughout the application process for both his Goldwater and Churchill scholarships.

“We all admire his passion and thoughtfulness about his research and his ability to communicate complicated scientific concepts in ways that made us excited about his work, too,” said Danika Brown, director of curriculum and fellowships for the CCL.”

Read full article at the link in our bio!

Congratulations, Joseph!

The CCL was pleased to join at the MLK Day Parade this morning to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Let the words we remember him by today be the catalyst for radical action tomorrow.

“If peace means a willingness to be exploited economically, dominated politically, humiliated and segregated, I don’t want peace. If peace means being complacently adjusted to a deafening status quo, I don’t want peace. If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of injustice and evil, I don’t want it. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the existence of justice for all people.”

Happy MLK Day!

“From sewer overflows to environmental resilience toolkits, Rice students are becoming better equipped to handle an ongoing climate crisis..” keep reading what GSP student participants had to say about their experience this past year as part of the inaugural GSP cohort at the link in our bio!!

Leadership Ride Mentorship Experience (LRME) applications are OPEN!

LRME gives Rice students access to summer internships with local Houston public, private, or non-profit organizations working to address social issues related to:
• criminal justice reform
• health equity
• immigration rights
• environmental justice & more!

interns also receive a $5000 stipend for the summer.

Read more/ Apply at the link in our bio!

Are you interested in doing paid research? Do you enjoy working collaboratively? Are you passionate about issues impacting the Houston community?

Apply to Houston Action Research Teams (HART) and get experience conducting research with local community organizations.

Swipe to read more about the two research projects you can be a part of in the Spring!

Applications due January 5th.

There will be a drop-in application workshop on January 4th at 4pm.

Link in bio to sign up.

It’s !

Please join with fellow Owls in expanding access and affordability - ensuring a transformative educational experience for the hundreds of Rice students committed to social justice, equity and change across the globe!

We encourage you to direct your generosity towards Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Fundraising efforts.

🔗 Support students in traveling nationally over spring break to learn about social justice issues impacting local communities at the link in our bio.

we’re growing! in just one year, we have doubled our community here. thanks for the 800 followers, Owls!

we look forward to continuing to build community for Owls committed to social justice and civic engagement here and abroad.

ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW!

Have you voted?? If not, there will be a polling location in Sewall Hall tomorrow from 7am to 7pm! Make your voice heard 🗣

In the meantime, drop a comment below sharing why you vote!

🚨There is still time to apply to Alternative Spring Break! Get your app in by Sunday night to be considered - link in bio 🚨

CCL SHOWCASE IS TODAY!

Come meet past CCL participants, site-leaders, mentors, interns, advocates and more and hear how you can be a part of meaningful change beyond the hedges.

Where: PCF Tent #2
When: Today from 5-6PM

There will be trick or treating too 👻