Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellowship

The Southern Education Foundation (SEF), with support from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), invites qualified candidates to apply for the 2026 Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellowship. The two-year fellowship enables early-career attorneys to develop the skills and experiences necessary to advance racial justice in education.

As part of SEF's Government Affairs and Advocacy team and a legal team member of Brown's Promise, a project sponsored by SEF, the fellow develops and implements strategies that advance education justice policies at the local, state, and federal levels. They also support impact litigation under the mentorship and guidance of Brown's Promise and SPLC's legal departments. Currently, the Lynn Walker Huntley Social Justice Fellow focuses on advocating for keeping public funds in public schools and advocating for state and federal efforts to fully desegregate schools.

The fellow's state advocacy work will likely be centered on Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They also gain experience on a broad array of education equity issues, emphasizing constructive solutions that ensure all students have the resources needed to learn, grow, and thrive. During their two-year tenure, the fellow focuses on: Impact litigation: Assisting with legal research and motions, coordinating amicus brief efforts, and planning community events and outreach. Advocacy: Writing policy briefs and materials, drafting strategic messaging and legislative testimony to advance equity goals, working with legislators, and collaborating with partner organizations and coalitions. Research: Making recommendations on legal and policy developments in education justice across the K-12 and post-secondary spectrum. Training: Conducting equity and civil rights trainings for staff and community partners.

Bound by our unwavering pursuit of justice in the South, SEF recognizes the rich legacy of Lynn Walker Huntley, the trailblazing lawyer and civil rights advocate who served as SEF's first female president from 2002 until her retirement in 2010. By reflecting Walker Huntley's commitment to education justice, this fellowship provides strategic support for the larger civil rights community and carries forth that mission into the future.