Annual leadership conference speaks to Lewis' lasting impact on Troy
Emma Myers
This past weekend, Troy University commemorated Black History Month by holding the 22nd annual John Robert Lewis Leadership Conference.
The conference honors the legacy of John Robert Lewis, a former U.S. Representative in Congress who played a pivotal role in The Civil Rights Movement. A Troy native, Lewis was sometimes known as “The boy from Troy.”
Although Lewis was originally denied admission to the university in 1957 due to his skin color, he received an honorary doctorate from Troy in 1989. After his passing in 2021, the conference was renamed in his honor to celebrate his lasting impact on the university and beyond.
One of the conference’s keynote speakers, Dr. Kieth Elder, a Troy alumnus, shared his perspective on leadership. He believes leadership is inherently personal and often limited, emphasizing how society frequently disqualifies leaders based on criteria.
“We often try to find ways to disqualify leaders,” Elder said. “What type of degree do you have? Oh, that’s the wrong type. How much experience do you have? You don’t have enough of it.”
Elder stressed true leadership overlooks these limitations and highlighted the importance of diversity in leadership roles.
“Diversity is a source of excellence; without it, there is no excellence,” Elder said.
Mayor Jason Reeves, a graduate of Charles Henderson High alongside Elder, described Lewis as a gentleman and scholar, and all what leadership embodies, further reinforcing Elder’s message on the power of inclusive leadership.
Lewis’ nephew Jerrick labeled him as a beacon of justice, service and leadership. His advocacy and courage paved the way for future generations, and the conference is a testament to his commitment to civil rights and social change.
Troy University is now recognized as one of Alabama's most diverse college campuses, thanks in part to Lewis’ efforts and the continued focus on inclusivity.
For Geo Gardner, a junior criminal justice and psychology major from Mobile, Alabama, the conference was both timely and crucial.
“It is refreshing to see a celebration of Black History Month on this campus in our current political climate and time of uncertainty,” Gardner said.
Gardner pointed out that, in light of the recent elimination of DEI programs, it’s more important than ever to honor leaders like Lewis and the profound impact they have had on society.
“We live in a state of confusion right now,” Gardner said. “I think it’s incredibly important to celebrate these leaders and the impact they have made while we still can.”
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