Jessica Ilunga will receive funding and leadership support to advance access to justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ius Stella’s Founder and CEO, Jessica T. Ilunga, has been selected as a 2024 Echoing Green Fellow. One of 44 Fellows chosen by a leader in the field of social innovation, Jessica will receive an $80,000 stipend, as well as leadership development to support Ius Stella’s growth as an innovative solution to address the lack of access to justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo..
Fellows join a lifelong support community of innovative thinkers, strategic partners, and industry peers. Since 1987, Echoing Green has identified nearly 1,000 leaders launching new social enterprises and equipped them with the support and networks. The organization has accelerated the work of some of the world’s best and brightest social innovators. Previous Fellows include former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama (’91); political commentator Van Jones (’94); co-founders of national health movement GirlTrek, T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison (’13); and founder and chief executive officer of climate technology startup BlocPower, Donnel Baird (’12).
“From the planet’s hottest year yet, to ongoing global threats to democracy, to backsliding on hard-fought progress on racial equity — these are challenging times. We need bold solutions now for these and other significant challenges. These new Fellows are meeting this moment with a level of brilliance, care, and passion that gives me renewed hope for our collective future,” said Echoing Green President Cheryl L. Dorsey.
“This support comes at a pivotal moment for us. Thanks to Echoing Green, we’ll be able to strengthen our capacity to act, build meaningful partnerships, and amplify the voices of those too often forgotten by the justice system,” said Jessica.
The 2024 Fellows were selected through Echoing Green’s open call application and participatory grantmaking process after reviewing 2,100 applications. The 2024 Fellows class includes representation from 21 countries including the United States, Nigeria, India, Australia, Germany, Colombia, and Kenya.
The newest Fellows are launching and growing innovative solutions to addressing racial and economic inequality, disparities in access to healthcare, and creating new opportunities for inclusive education. This is the fourth and final cohort of Fellows supported by the Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund.
To learn more about Echoing Green Fellows, visit this page.
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About Echoing Green
For 37 years, Echoing Green has been on the front lines of solving the world’s biggest problems, raising up the transformational leaders willing to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo. The organization finds emerging leaders with the best ideas for social innovation as early as possible and sets them on a path to lifelong impact. Echoing Green’s community of nearly 1,000 social innovators includes past Fellows such as First Lady Michelle Obama and the founders of Teach For America, Center for Black Innovation, BlocPower, and One Acre Fund. Built and refined over three decades, Echoing Green discovers tomorrow’s leaders today, and then funds, connects, and supports a new generation of social impact leaders.
About Ius Stella
Ius Stella is a non-profit organization transforming the way justice is rendered, measured, and experienced. We started our work in the Democratic Republic of Congo where we stand with victims of systemic injustices—those whose rights have been violated, whose humanity has been denied, and whose voices too often go unheard. Our work challenges traditional repressive systems and paves the way for a new model of justice: one that is transparent, effective, and people-centered.