Poverty Initiative Scholar-in-Residence Willie Baptist has been selected as one of four 2007 Alston/Bannerman Fellows for long-time activists of color.

The Alston / Bannerman Fellowship Program is "committed to advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The program provides resources for organizers to take sabbaticals for reflection and renewal."

Willie Baptist has served as the Scholar-in-Residence for the Poverty Initiative since 2004. As Scholar-in-Residence he co-teaches and participates in classes, forums and personal conversations with the Union faculty, administration, students and other community members and other events of the Poverty Initiative. Willie is also responsible for the new Poverty Scholars Program where he works to train dozens of low-income leaders to become Scholars-in-Residence for other seminaries, universities, and religious institutions.