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 Tufts University is a private research university on the border of Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1852 as Tufts College by Christian universalists who sought to provide a nonsectarian institution of higher learning. ...

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 The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum dedicated to the achievements of the civil rights movement in the United States and the broader worldwide human rights movement. Located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the museum opened t ...

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 Omicron Delta Kappa (), also known as The Circle and ODK, is one of the most prestigious honor societies in the United States with chapters at more than 300 college campuses. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in ...

East Carolina University East Carolina University (ECU) is a public university, public research university in Greenville, North Carolina. It is the fourth largest university in North Carolina. Founded on March 8, 1907, as a Normal school, teacher training school, East ...

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
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 ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' is the only major daily newspaper in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. It is the flagship publication of Cox Enterprises. The ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' is the result of the merger between ...

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 th
National Archives Amending America Initiative
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References

External links

"Global Soap Project."
History «. Globalsoap.org, n.d. Web. 20 June 2016.
"Our Team."
National Center for Civil and Human Rights Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2016. * "Center for Civil and Human Rights" National Center for Civil and Human Rights Inc.,
Center for Civil and Human Rights
N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2016.
N.p., n.d. Web.
* Emerson, Bo
"Derreck Kayongo Is New CEO at Center for Civil and Human Rights."
AJC.com: Atlanta Georgia News, AJC Sports, Atlanta Weather. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 04 Dec. 2015. Web. 20 June 2016.
A Universal Mission
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kayongo, Derreck Living people Soaps 1970 births