NEWS

12 of the Best and Brightest College Students Selected for The Institute’s Washington Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 1, 2026 – The Institute for Responsible Citizenship today announced the Washington Program’s Class of 2027 — representing the 24^th cohort of its flagship program.

The Institute is a highly selective, two-summer program that offers unique opportunities for some of the most talented African American male college students in the country. During the program, scholars live together in a university residence hall and work at high-level internships in their fields of interest during the day. In the evening, they participate in challenging seminars on ethics and economic & constitutional principles, meet privately with prominent leaders, attend personal and professional development workshops, and enjoy a variety of social activities.

The Institute’s 300+ alumni have demonstrated remarkable professional success, and most importantly, continue to be leaders in their community. These distinguished alumni have earned numerous prestigious accolades, including 5 Rhodes Scholarships, 9 Truman Scholarships, 1 Schwarzman Scholarship, and 21 PhDs, among many other honors. Alumni currently serve as CEOs, professors, partners at top-tier law firms, doctors at leading medical institutions, elected officials, and a justice on the New York Supreme Court. Their achievements stand as a testament to their work ethic, drive, and the exposure, training, and support the Institute provides during their two summers in D.C. and continues long after they graduate.

“These talented young men will join a brotherhood of more than 300 alumni who have dedicated themselves to making a major difference in the world. They will be inspired to pursue extraordinary success for reasons that are bigger than themselves,” said Dr. William A. Keyes IV, president of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. “I can’t wait to meet these young men in June and start preparing them to impact the world for the rest of their lives.”

Institute Class of 2027

Antoine C. Brown is majoring in computer science at Rowan University, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing sciences. At Rowan, Antoine serves as both a senator and Black Student Union liaison for the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). In addition to his coursework, Antoine has pursued independent technical training in programming, data structures, and machine learning fundamentals. Antoine aspires to build a career as a machine learning engineer while remaining committed to leadership, mentorship, and expanding access to opportunity in technology. He is from Westampton, New Jersey.

Kaden Buford was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and currently attends Syracuse University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with a minor in finance. He works with Syracuse University Ambulance, a student-run, emergency medical service organization that provides 24/7 medical response, transportation, and patient care to the campus community. Last summer, Kaden worked with the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he shadowed doctors in various units. Kaden plans to attend medical school and become a dermatologist.

Edwin (Harry) Corbin IV is a sophomore at Cornell University on the pre-law track, pursuing a degree in industrial and labor relations with double minors in policy analysis and law & society. He is interested in the intersections of law, labor, and democracy, and is passionate about legal and political frameworks that uphold human dignity. Last summer, Harry interned for Representative Josh Riley in his district office, where he researched labor trends, union membership, and employment conditions in NY-19. On campus, Harry co-founded Cornell’s only pro bono political consulting organization, the Cornell Political Strategy Group, which advises congressional and mayoral campaigns. He is a member of the Black Ivy Pre-Law Society and serves as the associate editor of the Undergraduate International Law Review. After graduation, Harry plans to attend law school, pursue a career in labor and employment law, and contribute to the development of public policy. He hails from Albany, New York.

Clayton Detant is an honors undergraduate student at Howard University with a 4.0 GPA pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, with a double minor in economics and Caribbean studies. As a member of the second cohort of the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholars Program, Clayton is an aspiring comparative politics researcher who plans to obtain a Ph.D. in political science. His research addresses modern imperialistic practices that contribute to the instability of economic, political, and social institutions across the Caribbean and Latin America. Clayton’s intellectual pursuits have allowed him to study abroad in Ghana, conduct research at Vanderbilt University, present at the American Political Science Association’s Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada, and conduct research in Colombia in the spring of 2026.

Joshua Eneji is a sophomore at Harvard University, studying history, literature, and government with a focus on American studies. Growing up in Garland, Texas, he was immersed in cultural exchange from an early age, fueling his passion for service and politics. At Harvard, Joshua continues to explore these interests both inside and outside the classroom through his involvement in various Phillips Brooks House Association programs. He also works to establish new initiatives through the Harvard Undergraduate Association, the college’s student government, and serves as an editor for the Harvard Political Review. In addition, he co-directs the Black Arts Collective on campus, creating programs and events that invite students to explore affinity through artistry.

Tyler Hart is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, majoring in political science while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Last summer he interned for Representative Ritchie Torres, where he conducted research on critical minerals and U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities, authored a regulatory memo on decentralized finance, and supported the development of the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts. He also is a lab manager for ODESI Labs, leading independent research on relationship development and diagnosing organizational challenges for corporations. On campus, he serves as a member of the university’s student government, serving as their vice speaker, where he oversees legislative operations and manages high-conflict sessions. After graduating, Tyler plans to work on Capitol Hill before going to law school. His hometown is Alpharetta, Georgia.

Jaise King, a native of Marion, Arkansas by way of Memphis, Tennessee, is a sophomore at Boston University, where he studies journalism, political science, and African-American and Black diaspora studies on the pre-law track. At Boston University, Jaise writes for the Boston Political Review, serves as an admissions ambassador, co-hosts WTBU’s “Melanin Matters” — a radio show spotlighting independent Black artists and diasporic issues — and is the secretary for SoulAAn, BU’s Generational Black American Student Organization. Jaise continues to serve his home state as president pro tempore of the Academy for Public Service’s Arkansas Model Senate, where he has authored over 20 original pieces of legislation in collaboration with his state representative. He also serves as communications director for the Academy, leading a 15-member creative and editorial team responsible for statewide civic outreach, policy education, and student engagement initiatives. Jaise aspires to pursue opportunities in public policy, legal advocacy, or investigative journalism, with a focus on systemic change, community-based storytelling, and public impact. Jaise is an alumnus of Marion High School, where he was honored as a National Merit Commended Scholar and a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate.

Courtney Lucas II, a sophomore from St. Louis, Missouri, is studying philosophy-neuroscience-psychology and anthropology on the pre-med track at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). On WashU’s campus, Courtney is a John B. Ervin Scholar and serves as a trained peer counselor, a WashU social media intern, a creative director and model in WashU’s student-run art and fashion magazine, and a first-year student advisor. Last summer as a Gephardt Institute Goldman Fellow, Courtney partnered with the Bullet-Related Injury Clinic (BRIC), a no-cost, community-based clinic in St. Louis focused on providing holistic healing resources to individuals affected by gun violence. Courtney, working full-time as a medical assistant, learned, connected, and grew with over 500 patients. Through his medical and research initiatives at the BRIC, both during the summer and the academic year, Courtney continues to ground himself in work that advocates for accessible, high-quality, holistic healthcare for all. 

Matthias Miller, a Columbia, Maryland native, is a finance major with a minor in business

law at Villanova University. Motivated by his passion for sports, he seeks to build a career at the intersection of finance and athletics, ultimately founding an investment firm dedicated to preserving and growing athletes’ financial futures.Miller previously interned with T. Rowe Price, and on campus currently serves as a student government association senator for the class of 2028. He is passionate about advancing student interests and campus initiatives, and is the sole student representative on Villanova’s Police Oversight Committee — helping foster transparency and positive relationships between students and campus law enforcement. Matthias also serves as finance chair for both the Black Student Union and the National Association of Black Accountants. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he is committed to service, leadership, and achievement.

Kennedy Mitchell-Egbo is a first-generation college student, Posse Foundation Scholar, and sophomore at Bucknell University majoring in English literature and minoring in history and economics. Hailing from South Pasadena, California, Kennedy was raised to have a deep commitment to public service and community leadership. He served as a council aide to Los Angeles City Councilman Curren D. Price last summer where he gained insight into the political realm of law, policy, and community development. In addition to his professional achievements, Kennedy is also an alumnus of the L.A.M.P. Gamma Zeta Boule mentoring program, a founding member of the L.A.M.P. Alumni Engagement Program, and a recipient of the Brotherhood Crusade Foundation scholarship in Los Angeles.

Kwame Ofori Ofei is a Ghanaian-born recent New Yorker. He is a presidential honors scholar pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at New York University on the pre-medical track and was named Freshman of the Year for the College of Arts and Sciences. During the academic year, Kwame works at the University Learning Center, where he tutors chemistry to fellow pre-health students. Additionally, he is a scholar in the Institute’s New York Collegiate Institute. Last summer, Kwame participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center. Kwame has expanded his academic journey globally through NYU London, where he continues his pre-medical coursework while immersing himself in the city. He aspires to pursue a career in medicine, with a special interest in thoracic surgery.

Zyan Williams was born in Flora, Mississippi and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a sophomore at Louisiana State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in finance, where he maintains a perfect 4.3 GPA. He is focused on gaining the knowledge and skills needed to build a career in financial planning. More importantly, Zyan is committed to being a reliable resource for his community by addressing the gap in financial literacy, particularly among youth. To support this mission, he serves as the economic empowerment chair of Collegiate 100, leading workshops centered on wealth-building topics such as credit, the stock market, and investing within the African American community. He also serves as vice president of the National Association of Black Accountants, an organization dedicated to developing leaders and advancing the future of the accounting and finance professions. Zyan’s achievements include being named a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar, The Executive Leadership Council scholar, and a Management Leadership for Tomorrow career prep fellow — experiences that continue to shape his professional growth and reinforce his commitment to creating meaningful impact.