Misplaced Pages

Derreck Kayongo

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Misplaced Pages. See Misplaced Pages's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Misplaced Pages's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
(Learn how and when to remove this message)
Derreck Kayongo at Theater Emory's Breaking Ground Series - Emory University 2015

Derreck Kayongo is an entrepreneur and human rights innovator born on January 25, 1970, in Kampala, Uganda, just before General Idi Amin Dada seized power in a military coup. As violence spread through the country and civil war erupted, Kayongo and his family became refugees in Kenya. He later immigrated to America to attend the Tufts University in Boston and received two honorary doctors in Philosophy.

Though most well known as the founder of the Global Soap Project, Kayongo is an expert in environmental sustainability and global health, as well as a former CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2016 the Georgia State Senate passed a resolution recognizing Kayongo's incredible journey from refugee to CEO.

Education

Derreck Kayongo holds an honorary doctorate from Oglethorpe University and is a graduate of the prestigious Fletcher school of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He was also made an honoris causa initiate of Omicron Delta Kappa at East Carolina University in 2013.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

In 2015 Derreck Kayongo was chosen as the chief executive officer for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta GA. The center is located in downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park on land donated by the Coca-Cola Company and is involved in a wide range of human rights issues. Under Kayongo's leadership, the Center became even more vital to Atlanta's social and political scenes. In addition to the center's moving and beautifully designed galleries, the space is used for corporate meetings, weddings, and a wide variety of events. He resigned as CEO in March 2018 to "focus on efforts as a motivational speaker as well as to write a book"

Public Life and Speaking

In 2014, Kayongo joined the elite TED TALK speakers in Charleston, SC, and he travels the world sharing his knowledge and experiences. In his words, he is "giving voice to the voiceless" since many people affected by displacement and civil war never have a chance to be heard. Known for his optimistic energy, Kayongo is a joyful, expressive speaker whose stories entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. He has done hundreds of interviews around the world and has been seen on CNN, the Christiana Amanpour Show, and BBC's Focus on Africa. In December 2015, Bo Emerson of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution referenced an earlier AJC article, writing that "In describing Kayongo's rhetorical skills, staff writer Matt Kempner wrote, 'This is his greatest strength: getting people inspired to see the bigger picture. Convincing them that even the little guy can do something big.'

President Jimmy Carter chose Kayongo to interview him as part of the National Archives Amending America Initiative

References

  1. "The National Center for Civil and Human Rights announced the departure of CEO, Derreck Kayongo". 20 March 2018.
  2. "Home". National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  3. Derreck Kayongo's Story." Personal interview. Patricia Henritze. 2016
  4. Emerson, Bo. "Derreck Kayongo Is New CEO at Center for Civil and Human Rights." AJC.com. Atlanta Journal Constitution, n.d. Web. 22 June 2016. <http://www.ajc.com/news/news/derreck-kayongo-is-new-ceo-at-center-for-civil-and/npcJj/>.
  5. "The National Center for Civil and Human Rights announced the departure of CEO, Derreck Kayongo". National Center for Civil and Human Rights. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  6. "Derreck Kayongo resigns as CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights". SaportaReport. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  7. "TEDx Talks - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  8. "Amending America: Civil Rights and Individual Freedom". National Archives Foundation. Retrieved 2021-01-25.

External links

Categories: