The Faith and Politics Institute, based in Washington, DC, has named Faith Wilson JMS’24 a John Robert Lewis Fellow 2025-2026 in recognition of her commitment to “advancing racial and gender equality, her pluralistic view of American society, her aim to achieve interfaith and bipartisan solutions to pressing social challenges” and her goals to “earn a juris doctor, contribute to legal scholarship, serve as a federal attorney, and ultimately pursue a career in public office.”
Wilson is currently working as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Intern for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); a Walmart Emerging Leaders Intern for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; and a Women in AI Governance™ (WiAIG) Global Leadership Network Coordinator for Disparate Impacts in AI Governance.
One of only 13 American students or post-grads chosen as John R. Lewis Fellows this year, Wilson, who majored in Journalism and Media Studies at SC&I and served as the SC&I News Writing Intern during the spring 2023 semester, said, “It’s an incredible honor. It feels like I’ve been entrusted with the opportunity to embody a new era of leadership. What’s truly inspiring is knowing that leaders like John Lewis were around my age when they were shaping their own leadership styles. I’m excited to see my journey evolve in a similar way and to contribute to the kind of change he championed. The John Robert Lewis Fellows Program is all about empowering graduate and post-grad students to apply John Lewis’s philosophy of nonviolence to today’s biggest challenges. It’s a chance to learn as a leader while staying grounded in principles of humanity, especially in today’s eruptive political climate.”
SC&I Professor of Journalism and Media Studies and of History David Greenberg, the author of the recently published definitive biography of Lewis, “John Lewis: A Life,” said, “I’m delighted to know that a Rutgers alumnus has been chosen for the John Lewis Fellowship from Faith and Politics. John Lewis devoted his life to the principle that we should all be treated equally, regardless of the color of our skin, and he cared deeply that these values and the legacy of the civil rights movement would continue into future generations. This is a proud moment for Rutgers.”
As a Rutgers undergraduate who led research on topics such as the governance of generative AI, the attrition of Black women attorneys in Big Law, and the effects of affirmative action reversal on Black women’s law school enrollment, Wilson said, “I’m hoping to usher in a new segment of political discourse - one that emphasizes cooperation and the collective power of a truly representative democracy."
According to the Faith and Politics Institute, the student fellowship was formed when, “After the passing of Congressman Lewis July 17, 2020, it became clear the Faith & Politics Institute could work to fulfill his mandate that ‘we all have roles to play’ as his mantle is extended to the next generation of leaders. To this end, FPI has established the John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program. Two parallel cohorts – John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows (students) and John Robert Lewis Leaders (professionals) – will work in a single program to cultivate an intergenerational transfer and exchange of wisdom, inspiration, and methods for action.”
As a fellow, Wilson said she will concentrate on studying the six principles of nonviolence and the history of the Civil Rights Movement. “We have an oral history project that aims to speak to the legacy of the civil rights movement and the changemakers of our time,” Wilson said. “I am using the song ‘Untold Stories’ by Buju Banton during the ideation phase, as it resonates with themes of untold histories and the power of storytelling.”
The fellowship also includes a trip to Washington DC from July 15-17, 2025, so fellows can meet. While in DC, Wilson said she and the other 2025-2026 fellows will visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and other sites significant to the African American Freedom struggle.
The Fellowship includes a $2,000 stipend and Wilson said she plans to use it for law school application assistance.
As a Rutgers undergraduate who led research on topics such as the governance of generative AI, the attrition of Black women attorneys in Big Law, and the effects of affirmative action reversal on Black women’s law school enrollment, Wilson said, “I’m hoping to usher in a new segment of political discourse - one that emphasizes cooperation and the collective power of a truly representative democracy. With aspirations to pursue political office, being an effective agent of change is a top priority for me. I’ve watched interviews with government officials who hold law degrees, they often say that a legal education alone doesn’t fully prepare you for public service. The JRL Fellowship offers the perfect complement to my legal education by equipping me with the tools to always center the people in my work—both in my law career and in my future role as a public servant.”
As a John R. Lewis Fellow, Wilson said she will concentrate on studying the six principles of nonviolence and the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
Wilson said she stumbled upon this fellowship opportunity while conducting a search on LinkedIn for other information, and so she applied on the day the application was due. “As I work toward my goal of attending a top law school, I’ve spent my gap year connecting with current law students to learn from their experiences—especially what professional and leadership roles helped them stand out,” Wilson said. “During this research on November 1st, the same day of the fellowship deadline, I came across FPI on LinkedIn, and I knew I had to apply. It was clear to me that this fellowship would be an amazing opportunity to continue growing as a leader who wants to put people at the center of social and political work.”
Expressing gratitude to the Rutgers faculty and staff members who assisted her with recommendations and materials she needed for the application on short notice, Wilson said, “With a tight deadline on the day I applied, I reached out to SC&I Professor of Journalism and Media Studies John Pavlik and Sasha Taner, Program Coordinator at the Rutgers Institute for Women's Leadership, hoping they would see my email. Despite the time crunch, both were more than willing to help, providing thoughtful endorsements that truly strengthened my application. Rutgers staff were invaluable because without them, my application would have been incomplete even though my personal materials got in on time.”
“Faith Wilson is an extraordinary individual,” said Pavlik, who taught and mentored Wilson while she was a SC&I student. “She was brilliant as my student and has already achieved an exceptional accomplishment being named a John Robert Lewis Fellow 2025-2026. Faith is destined for a remarkable career and life.”
Learn more about the Journalism and Media Studies major on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.
