Tilting Futures launches summer semester program with The Bonner Foundation and the Bonner Programs at both Morehouse College & Rhodes College
When we launched Take Action Lab in 2022, we couldn’t have imagined the global demand this program would generate. Since then, we’ve had nearly 18,000 young people from around the world begin applications to join this transformative, immersive educational experience.
This demand has only been matched by the impact Take Action Lab has on students. Independent research teams from Harvard and Berkeley have validated our learning model, showing that students develop crucial skills such as cross-cultural communication, empathy, and creative problem-solving through participating in our programs.
However, while we know Gen Z has limitless talent and potential, they face numerous barriers to accessing the opportunity to participate in immersive learning programs like Take Action Lab. In fact, only a small minority of college students from high financial need, first generation, and other marginalized groups get a study abroad experience of any kind despite the personal, professional, and educational benefits of these experiences.
One of our guiding principles as an organization has been to meet young people where they are. We know Gen Z is eager to participate in the exact kind of transformational, cultural immersion Take Action Lab provides. In order to meet that need, we need to democratize access to immersive educational experiences to create multiple opportunities for young people to participate.
Today, we are proud to announce our new program that aims to further expand access to transformative learning for college-aged students: Take Action Lab Accelerator: Human Rights.
This exciting new opportunity would not be possible without our program partners: The Bonner Foundation, who works in partnership with a national network of colleges and universities to support the education and engagement of diverse predominantly low-income students, and our anchor school partners Morehouse College and Rhodes College Bonner Programs. “Working with these incredible partners has helped innovate a program model that can support expanded access for students while also seamlessly embedding into existing higher education institutions,” said Elikem Tomety Archer, Chief Program Officer at Tilting Futures.
“We are thankful for the partnership with Tilting Futures to make Take Action Lab Accelerator a reality,” said Ariane Hoy, Vice President for Program and Resource Development at the Bonner Foundation. “This innovative program expands the network’s summer service opportunities beyond the U.S. and into South Africa, offering students in the Bonner Network a chance to engage in Human Rights work alongside peers from around the world. By creating greater access to these transformative experiences, we’re staying true to our mission of providing ‘access to education and opportunity to serve’ with a global lens that enables future change agents to make a lasting impact.”
About the Program
Based on our semester-long program, Take Action Lab Accelerator, Human Rights brings students a transformational immersive education experience in a condensed nine-week summer semester.
During this time, U.S. college and university students will join a global cohort of young people from around the world to form the first class. After completing the virtual Foundations course, these students will travel from their home countries to Cape Town, South Africa, for seven weeks. While in Cape Town, students will intern with local nonprofits advancing human rights, learn about the history and culture of South Africa, and work with trained staff to channel new insights into actionable strategies to create lifelong impact.
Through their time in Take Action Lab Accelerator, students from the U.S. and the wider world will bring their perspectives and cultures to help shape, inform and enlighten their peers. Combined with the hands-on learning students receive through their internships, they will graduate into a global alumni network creating local, community-based solutions to our biggest global challenges.
“At Morehouse College, we are committed to fostering leadership and social responsibility in our students, and this partnership with Tilting Futures aligns perfectly with that mission,” said Dr Wilbur Whitney, Director of the Bonner Office of Community Service at Morehouse College. “By offering our students the chance to engage with new cultures and perspectives, this program is providing them with transformative experiences that will enhance their ability to lead and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.”
Get Involved
As we eagerly await welcoming our first Take Action Lab Accelerator: Human Rights Class in June 2025, we’re asking our community to support us in launching tomorrow’s human rights leaders.
SHARE this opportunity with college students in your network.
SPREAD the word on social media to help us reach as many students as possible.
SUPPORT Tilting Futures to empower students with the skills they need to tackle complex global challenges. Invest in tomorrow’s leaders by giving to our Momentum Campaign.
