Inaugural Good Trouble Talk: Common, Grammy-Award Winning Music Artist/Activist

Journalist and civil rights activist Charlayne Hunter-Gault launched the Foundation’s Good Trouble Talk series alongside Grammy-award-winning musical artist Common at the Inaugural John & Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation Gala.

The debut of Good Trouble Talks, marked the Foundation’s first public original programming series. This inspiring series is designed to go on a roadshow across America, collaborating with colleges, communities, local activists, and like-minded organizations. Good Trouble Talks will showcase individuals who have dedicated their work, art, and lives to building and crossing bridges. Drawing from the lessons and examples set by the Lewises, these talks will delve into contemporary issues, discussing the tools and methods needed for effecting change, taking direct action, and replicating successful outcomes.

Good Trouble Talk 2023 : March on Washington – Courtland Cox, Former SNCC Program Secretary

On the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation hosted a Good Trouble Talk. Courtland Cox, Program Secretary of SNCC in Mississippi and Lowndes County, Alabama and a John Lewis collaborator was joined in conversation by broadcast journalist and anchor Lyn Vaughn.

Did you know that as Chairperson of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), 23-year old John Lewis was tasked with delivering a speech to the crowd gathered for the 1963 March on Washington? And that Lewis’ original speech was so critical of the Kennedy administration that he was asked to tone it down?

John Lewis was one of the Big Six organiziational leaders who spearheaded the March on Washington. He was the youngest person to deliver a speach on that day. This Good Trouble Talk commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington as the 2nd installment of our Good Trouble Talks series. Mr. Cox shared insightful experiences with John Lewis, SNCC, and the March on Washington.