Our Mission
We prepare talented young men to become exemplary citizens and leaders by creating networks and pathways so they can make a significant difference in the world.
Why Is The Institute Needed Today?
The Washington Program
Our Flagship Summer Program in Washington D.C.
From hundreds of applications the Institute selects 12 of the nation’s best and brightest African American male college students to participate in its Washington Program. It includes:
- High-level paid internships in their fields of interest
- Seminar on Economic and Constitutional Principles
- Residency as a cohort in a university residence hall
- Comprehensive leadership and professional development workshops
- Private briefings with some of the nation’s most prominent public and private sector leaders
The Collegiate Institutes
Expanding Our Reach Throughout The Nation
We run academic yearlong programs in five cities throughout the country: Atlanta, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, and New York. Each is comprised of some of the most talented African American male college students in their respective city.
- Cohort of talented African American male college students
- Private meetings with influential leaders
- Comprehensive leadership and professional development workshops
- Annual conference to network with Collegiate Institute scholars throughout the country
- Stipend for each session attended
Celebrating 20 Years
For 20 years, the Institute has supported some of the best and brightest African American male college students in the country. They’ve become Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, PhDs, MDs, JDs, and most importantly, have continued to be the thoughtful, caring men they were in college.
On July 9, 2022, we brought together alumni, scholars, supporters, and friends to celebrate them and reflect on our 20-year history. We created this video as a recap of the evening.
Our Impact
5 Rhodes, 2 Fulbright, and 9 Truman Scholars
12 Harvard Law School, 4 Harvard Business School, and 1 Harvard Divinity School Graduates
6 Yale Divinity School, 3 Yale Law School, 2 Yale Business School Graduates
14 PhD recipients and several doctoral candidates
5 Medical Doctors
4 Professors, Numerous teachers, principals, school board leaders
Many accountants, management consultants, and Wall Street analysts.
Entrepreneurs
Pastors of major churches
Non-profit professionals
Professional musicians
But the Institute is about more than accomplishments, it's about how we change lives. Watch the videos below to hear from our alumni:
“The Institute for Responsible Citizenship led me to my destiny” – Dr. Calvin Hadley ’07, Assistant Provost for Academic Partnerships and Student Engagement
“When I think about all the wonderful things I was able to accomplish my career, I can’t help but think none of it would be possible without the camaraderie and friendships that I built as part of the Institute” – Hasa Kingo ’06, New York State Supreme Court Judge
“The Institute was one of the most pivotal programs of my life”- Dr. Lawrence Brown ’11, Surgery Resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital
“ I don’t think anyone could’ve dreamed that there would be a group of people this successful, this passionate, this hard-working, this driven” – BJ Keyes ’06, Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship
“I am very encouraged that he has never let go of the vision and the purpose of the Institute and I am a product of that“ – David Wilford 07, Senior Pastor at Tabernacle Chicago
“I wanted to cram as much intensity as possible into a very brief period of time, an experience not unlike that of the Institute” – Barron Ryan ’08, Musician
“Institute has been pivotal in my own life and seeing ambitious young black men so I could be inspired by that I could look too and be inspired by, but also that I could get sponsors like Dr. Keyes” – Antuan Weeks ’13, Software Development Engineer at Amazon