NEWS

WASHINGTON, DC February 9, 2021 – William A. Keyes, president of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, announces scholars who have been selected to participate in its prestigious program during the summers of 2021 and 2022.

The Institute is in intensive two-summer program for some of America’s best and brightest African American male college students. The scholars live together in a residence hall, work at internships in their fields of interest, participate in a rigorous seminar on economic and constitutional principles, meet privately with prominent public and private sector leaders, participate in personal and professional development workshops, and enjoy a variety of social activities.

Admission into the Institute is extremely competitive. The newly-selected scholars represent a range of backgrounds and interests and attend a variety of colleges and universities. Four of the scholars attend institutions that have not previously been represented in the Institute — Colgate University, The College of William and Mary, Indiana University, and York College of the City College of New York.

Institute alumni have become Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, and the recipients of numerous other prestigious academic awards. There are numerous PhD’s, MD’s, JD’s and MBA’s and alumni are working in a wide range of fields, including pastors, doctors, lawyers, teachers and college professors, and investment bankers.

“The achievements of our alumni indicate that our program is working. I created the Institute to provide the most talented African American male students the kind of support that many others in our society take for granted. We provide exposure to opportunities, valuable internship experiences, and introductions to people who can support them on their journey to pursue extraordinary success for reasons that are bigger than themselves,” said Bill Keyes. Keyes established the Institute in 2001 and welcomed the first class of scholars in 2003. The Institute will be in session June 6 to July 31, 2021.

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Institute for Responsible Citizenship
Class of 2022

Sterling Bland majors in Sociology and Mathematical Sciences at Harvard University. He has worked as a consultant on curriculum diversification for his hometown school district. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, and United Negro College Fund STEM Award. Sterling is considering a career that combines his interests in law and ministry. His hometown is Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Jeremiah Bonnet majors in Sociology with minors in Africana Studies, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and Chemistry at New York University. His goal is to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. He has shadowed doctors at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, served as a pediatric neurosurgeon emergency room volunteer at Boston Medical Center, and participated in a summer health professions education program at Howard University. At NYU, he is a Dean’s Honors Scholar, Presidential Honors Scholar and participates in the NYU Academic Excellence Program. His hometown is Sharon, Massachusetts.

Hamilton Brooks is a History major at New York University. He has also studied Art and Political Science at NYU Madrid. He has interned at the Carnegie Council on Ethics, Harvard Library, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, NAACP, and the Democracy Initiative. He currently serves as the Field Director of GenVote, where he led voter engagement efforts at NYU. Before NYU, he served as Student Body President at the Potomac School. His hometown is Woodbridge, Virginia.

Alton Coston is a Public Policy and Africana Studies major at the College of William & Mary, where he participates in the college’s undergraduate research program. He has interned for the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and as an investment research analyst for Washington Analysis, assessing investment risk arising from legislative or regulatory developments. Alton is a William & Mary Scholar and a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar. He plans to attend law school after graduation. His hometown is Richmond, Virginia.

Garvey Goulbourne is a Foreign Affairs and Global Development Studies major at the University of Virginia. He has interned with the Nevada Policy Research Institute and currently serves as a Research Assistant in the UVA Global Development Studies Department. He is president of his university’s United Nations Association chapter and participates in the Congressional Youth Council. After graduation, Garvey intends to work in foreign affairs and one day become an ambassador. His hometown is Roswell, Georgia.

Ron Hall studies Politics and Economics at New York University. He is a Presidential Honors Scholar and was elected to serve as first-year and sophomore class president. He is also a peer mentor in NYU’s Academic Achievement Program. Ron is also a member of the Track and Field team. He intends to attend law school and pursue a career in law. His hometown is Grand Prairie, Texas.

Zachary Harper is an Accounting major at Indiana University. He is a student in the Kelley Business School, where he is a Prebys Scholar. He has also been admitted into the Hutton Honors College. He serves on the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee. He is also gaining experience in finance as an Equity Research Analyst at BLK Capital Management, a Black-owned institution whose managers are African American college students. His hometown is Detroit, Michigan.

Kareem Isaac is a sophomore at Howard University. He is majoring in Psychology and hopes to use the knowledge he gains there in the field of Advertising. He has volunteered extensively with the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. His hometown is Silver Spring, Maryland.

Kellin McGowan majors in Economics at the University of Chicago. He was the first African American valedictorian at Saint Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. He achieved that distinction while participating in speech and debate and competing on the school’s track and field team. He currently serves on the board of directors of University of Chicago Democrats. After graduation, Kellin intends to attend law school and become an immigration attorney.

Maxwell Morant is a Kenan Scholar in the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served in the Undergraduate Senate and was named Mr. Freshman by the Black Student Movement. He is also a Resident Advisor for Carolina Housing. After graduation, Max intends to pursue a career in investment banking. His hometown is Durham, North Carolina.

James Mullins majors in Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University and is active with the Yale Black Men’s Union. Off campus, he has been involved with The Carolyn Foundation. After graduation, James intends to pursue a career in nonprofit administration. His hometown is Hersey, Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Oates is a Political Science major at Yale University. He is a Senator on the Yale College Council and also serves as a Residential College Team Director. Jonathan has also served as the Director of Social Media with the Bethel AME Church and interned with a nonpartisan think tank, ThinkTennesse. After graduation and law school, Jonathan intends to work at the intersection of law and public policy. His hometown is Knoxville, Tennessee.

Shaquille Profitt majors in English and is a Pre-Law minor at York College of the City University of New York, where he is a Student Ambassador and a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar. He has also interned with Congressman Gregory Meeks and New York State Assemblyman David Weprin. He plans to attend law school and aspires to become a United States Attorney and later a federal judge. His hometown is Coram, New York.

Jovan Sheshbaradaran majors in Business Administration and Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is an Honors Carolina Scholar. He has served as a marketing intern for the Schiele Museum of Natural History and a youth ministry Intern with the First Wesleyan Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. After graduation, Jovan hopes to work in marketing. His hometown is Belmont, North Carolina.

Chandler Washington majors in Economics and Political Science at Colgate University. He will be the Institute’s first scholar from Colgate. He is a Benton Scholar and has been elected to serve as a Senator in the university’s Student Government Association. Chandler is interested in pursuing a career in either law or finance. His hometown is Pasadena, California.