For students involved in Sole Purpose: The Good Trouble Project, history is not something confined to textbooks. It is a call to action.
Over the past year, students from Innovation Academy have registered voters, spoken on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, partnered with community organizations, and taught younger students about civic engagement. Their efforts, inspired by the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis, are now earning national recognition.
The initiative grew out of the Smithsonian Democracy in Dialogue program, a partnership between Innovation Academy teacher Meggin Sussman and Dr. Shelina Warren of Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. Together, they challenged students to examine how one person can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and within their community.
As students explored Lewis’ example of service, leadership, and perseverance, they were encouraged to consider a question that became the driving force behind their work.
“As we celebrate 250 years of democracy, how can you walk in the path of Good Trouble and positively impact your community?” Simply put, “What is your legacy?”
The longtime Georgia congressman became the centerpiece of the project because of his commitment to justice, equality, and civic participation. His story offered students a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins with ordinary people willing to take action.
“John Lewis was an incredibly important Civil Rights leader that represented Georgia for many years in Washington, D.C. Dr. Warren and I decided to focus on John Lewis and his actions taken to improve the lives of all Americans, with a focus on civic engagement such as voting rights,” Sussman explained.
The lessons quickly moved beyond classroom discussions and into real world experiences. In partnership with the League of Women Voters and Fulton County Elections, students organized voter registration drives that registered 118 students. They attended Youth Day at the Capitol, spoke from the Capitol steps, developed educational materials connected to the musical Young John Lewis, visited the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and shared what they learned with 130 fifth-grade students at John Lewis Elementary School.
For Sussman, the experience reinforced something she has witnessed throughout her three decades in education.
“As a teacher of 30 years, there is very little that can surprise me. I have seen how motivated and enthusiastic students are when they are passionate about a topic, but many times, they feel powerless. Through examining the life of John Lewis, the students saw someone that was close to their age advocating for changes and being successful.”
The group's work recently received national recognition when Sole Purpose was selected to present at the National Council for the Social Studies conference.
“We were thrilled!! I am excited that our hard work is going to reach an even broader audience and hopefully inspire teachers from across the United States to lead a design team and make changes, however small, in their world.”
Adding to the excitement, student leaders Laryn Russell and Colby Gallow will help present the project alongside Sussman, sharing their experiences and lessons learned with educators from across the country.
“As we learned, John Lewis stood up for the rights of all citizens and dedicated his life to making the world a better place through non-violent resistance. Young people can make the world a better place through some Good Trouble.”
The momentum will continue next school year through partnerships with the Atlanta History Center, Roswell Historical Society, League of Women Voters, Fulton County Elections, and John Lewis Elementary School. For these students, Good Trouble is more than a lesson from history; it is a blueprint for creating positive change in their own communities.
Student leaders Laryn Russell and Colby Gallow helped drive many of the project's activities, from voter registration efforts to community outreach. Their work will now be showcased on a national stage when they present Sole Purpose: The Good Trouble Project at the National Council for the Social Studies conference.