Dear Supporters,
We kicked off our 5th Annual Civil Rights Fellowship in Washington, D.C. this past week with a clear focus: equipping and mentoring the next generation of legal leaders. To defend colorblind equality effectively, aspiring lawyers must master the constitutional foundation that underpins individual liberty.
That is why, for the fifth year in a row, we launched our fellowship legal sessions with Gail Heriot, Professor of Law Emeritus and former Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, alongside Professor of Law Maimon Schwarzschild.
Laying the Constitutional Groundwork
Professors Heriot and Schwarzschild guided our fellows through an intensive, two-part exploration of “Post-Civil War Constitutional Amendments and Major Civil Rights Legislation”. Together, they examined the original public meaning and historical evolution of these landmark provisions—covering the critical history of slavery and its abolition, the securing of equal rights under the law, and the fundamental right to vote. Through this deep dive, fellows analyzed how the Reconstruction Amendments were crafted to safeguard individual freedom against government overreach.
Connecting Constitutional History to Modern Advocacy
Starting with this historical and constitutional grounding is essential for our fellows’ training. Before diving into modern policy debates, these law students must understand where equal rights law originated. Anchoring the fellowship curriculum in core constitutional principles provides them with:
- Intellectual Rigor: A framework to evaluate contemporary legal issues through principled analysis.
- Direct Mentorship: Firsthand access to seasoned scholars who have dedicated their careers to equal opportunity.
- Professional Preparation: The tools to advocate effectively as they build their legal careers.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
CEO’s Civil Rights Fellowship ensures that tomorrow’s lawyers, judges, and policy experts remain committed to the principle that every individual should be judged by the content of their character, not their race.
Thank you for your support in making this mentorship possible.
Warm regards,
Rudy Gersten
Executive Director
Related posts:
CEO Kicks Off 5th Annual Civil Rights Fellowship in Washington, D.C.
TESTIMONY OF ROGER CLEGG, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, CENTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT
CEO On Fire: Record-Breaking Fellowship, SCOTUS Briefs, and Major Wins
Photos from CEO Fellowship 2025