Building a bright future with Kellogg and NAACP Law Fellows

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- I am not a lawyer. I have never been a law fellow. What I am is passionate. I'm passionate about inspiring young people. And I am grateful. I am grateful to be a part of a company that is committed to supporting young scholars. I am a black, lesbian woman in my 50's and have already seen so much in this young life. From the Civil Rights movement to equal voting rights and marriage equality, so much has changed. I know that it took passionate, dedicated and educated lawyers to implement these changes, and that the work isn't over. I'm excited to see the advances brought up by our young leaders.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and eliminate race-based discrimination. Through their law fellow program, the NAACP provides law students with first-hand exposure to civil rights advocacy and the legal profession. Armed with the knowledge that not every law is a fair and just law, these eager young scholars have a unique opportunity to learn from accomplished lawyers before stepping out into their own careers.

For 15 years, Kellogg has partnered with the NAACP and sponsored its Law Fellows Program. During the program, students travel to Kellogg Headquarters for an immersion in Kellogg's legal practices, observe real-life examples of civil and human rights cases and learn more about our Diversity and Inclusion efforts. The program is designed to provide experience and knowledge beyond what's available in a classroom. This year, I had the distinct honor of accompanying the law students during their visit to Battle Creek and I learned a great deal about their passions, their commitments and their drive for building a just and equitable legal system.

When it was time for them to depart, I stood near the bus, waving goodbye to these brilliant, driven minds. A young woman named Shani turned around and said, "We are not Kellogg's first law fellows group, but we will always be your best group." I know these students will certainly rise to the occasion to make the world a better place for us all. I responded with a smile, "Always endeavor to do your best."

To learn more about the program, visit: http://www.naacp.org/campaigns/law-fellow-program/.

Note: To participate in the program, law fellows don't have to be a person of color, but a person with passion for equality, equal rights and justice for all.

Features Report Kellogg Company recently launched its eighth annual diversity and inclusion report, Features. The report includes accounts from around the globe of Kellogg's D&I efforts in the workplace, marketplace and communities.  For more stories like Cheryl's and to learn more about Kellogg's global diversity and inclusion efforts, click here to see the 2017 Features Report.

Cheryl Gilliam is Senior Specialist, Employee Relations, Kellogg Company.

About Kellogg Company At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to make foods people love. This includes our beloved brands – Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Special K®, Pringles®, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Cheez-It®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats® and more – that nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. With 2016 sales of $13 billion and more than 1,600 foods, Kellogg is the world's leading cereal company; second largest producer of crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. And we're a company with a heart and soul, committing to help create 3 billion Better Days by 2025 through our Breakfasts for Better Days global purpose platform. To learn more, visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com and follow us on Twitter @KelloggCompany, YouTube and on our Social K corporate blog.

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