Genrette Named RFK Human Rights John Lewis Young Leaders Fellow

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 16, 2026) – A senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has been selected as a 2026-27 Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights’ John Lewis Young Leaders (JLYL) program fellow. 

Aysha Makayla Genrette, of Newark, Delaware, is a Dowdy Scholar pursuing a B.A. in liberal studies-pre-law in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. She was selected from more than 500 applicants nationwide, following Terrence “Olu” Rouse and Khelsei Dorsett-Wilson ‘25 to become the third N.C. A&T student selected for this prestigious fellowship.

Established in 2017 then restructured in 2022, the JLYL program honors the legacy of the late civil rights leader U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Throughout the span of this program, JLYL Fellows engage their campus and local communities in human rights work through a capstone project. 

Genrette will join 14 students from public and private universities nationwide in this year-long fellowship designed to equip undergraduates with skills in community organizing and civic engagement.

Fellows receive resources and support to ensure their success in the program, including access to comprehensive grassroots organizing workshops, 1:1 mentorship from RFK Human Rights staff, financial support, and access to an extensive network of human rights professionals, peers and program alumni.

Genrette served as Miss Honors for the 2025-26 academic year, representing The Honors College community and championing academic excellence, student engagement and the college’s mission and values.

Her commitment to advocacy and public service has also taken her beyond the university through experiences in congressional and policy spaces, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Office of U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester. Her broader leadership and service have included experiences with Aggie Source Food Pantry and the Center for Undergraduate Research.

Together, these opportunities have provided meaningful exposure to public policy, grassroots advocacy, community engagement and environmental issues while strengthening her commitment to advancing equity and justice.

“Aysha’s selection as a John Lewis Young Leaders Fellow is a powerful recognition of the work she has already begun and the tremendous potential she has to make a lasting impact in the communities she will serve,” said Brittany R. Franklin ‘13, director of Scholarship Programs at A&T.

As a JLYL Fellow, Genrette joins a distinguished national cohort of emerging leaders committed to advancing social justice and meaningful change. She aspires to become an environmental attorney dedicated to advancing climate justice and equitable environmental policy.