Oberlin College junior Darius Butler was selected as a 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellow, an honor awarding him a scholarship to participate in a three-continent global journey to Washington, D.C., Cape Town and Dublin for a comparative study of social justice leadership, according to a news release.
The Government of Ireland will co-sponsor the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in honor of the meeting between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great Irish reformer Daniel O’Connell in Dublin in 1845 — an experience that expanded Douglass’ view of social injustice and influenced his style of agitating for positive change through nonviolent social and political efforts in the United States, the release said.
Butler is one of 12 high-achieving students of color selected for this prestigious award who were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to advancing peace in our world by building bridges between people with different viewpoints, according to the release.
Butler was selected as a Douglass Global Fellow because of his academic excellence, communication skills, and commitment to social justice, the release said.
An African American Studies and Law and Legal Studies major, he applies his learnings as a Racial Justice Research Fellow at As You Sow — working to promote environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building and innovative legal strategies, the release said.
He cites Douglass as inspiration for his mission.
“Frederick Douglass’ work epitomizes the true meaning of courage and bravery. He was an outspoken advocate and used his story to dispel ignorant viewpoints, captivating millions of people worldwide and inspiring generations of social leaders to come,” said Butler in his application video.
The Government of Ireland will co-sponsor the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in honor of the meeting between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great Irish reformer Daniel O’Connell in Dublin in 1845 — an experience that expanded Douglass’ view of social injustice and influenced his style of agitating for positive change through nonviolent social and political efforts in the United States.
“Just as Douglass’ style of agitating for positive social change through nonviolent social and political efforts was influenced by his meeting with Daniel O’Connell, the Fellows’ future change-making efforts will be shaped by their comparative study of international peacebuilders and the personal connections they forge with their peers during the program,” said James P. Pellow, President and CEO of the Council on International Educational Exchange. “The future leaders on this program will return home from their time abroad with an enhanced global perspective on advancing social justice and better prepared to be agents of change in their communities and in our world.”
The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship was launched in 2017 as part of the Council on International Educational Exchange’s commitment to increasing access to study abroad by students in underrepresented groups.
In addition to funding the 12 Fellows, the Council on International Educational Exchange will provide the nearly 600 students who applied for this year’s fellowship with a $1,500 Frederick Douglass Scholars Grant that can be applied on any CIEE study abroad program for the next year, committing more than one million dollars in grant funds to help diverse students study abroad.
