Black Men Smile® Founder Leads Discussion on Community-Based Art for John Lewis Fellows

Black Men Smile® founder Carlton Mackey recently led an interactive presentation on art-based alliances for the current class of John Lewis Fellows in downtown Atlanta. His session, "Contemporary Art for Social Engagement: Community-Engaged Art Projects", featured conversations with Atlanta-based artists Melissa Alexander and Jamaal Barber, and engaged the fellows on the function of art in relation to social change.

The John Lewis Fellowship is a Humanity in Action Fellowship program in Atlanta, Georgia. In partnership with The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., Humanity in Action brings together a group of 30 American and European university students and recent graduates for an intensive program about diversity and civil rights in America. The program honors Congressman John Lewis, an icon of the Civil Rights Movement.

Photo by Melissa Alexander

Art by Jamaal Barber