John,

This weekend, the world mourns the passing of a true legend and an absolute giant. Through his life of advocacy and service, Congressman John Lewis spent his entire adult life showing us what it means to press for meaningful change, even when we know that it comes at great personal cost. He highlighted the importance of making "good trouble" in order to achieve great progress.

In truth, Rep. Lewis was one of my greatest heroes and inspirations in advocacy. As a third-year medical student, I led a group of medical students from across the country in a March for Health Equity. Fashioned after his courageous advocacy for voting rights in 1965, I was inspired to choose Selma, Alabama as the venue for our march because of what it—and what he—came to symbolize: unwavering strength and commitment against the greatest of odds to press for the change that is necessary.

It was years later that I finally had the honor of meeting him. First, during a chance encounter at the train station in Washington, DC. He stopped and chatted with me for several minutes about equity, about advocacy, and about “the work.” A few years later, we reconnected when I received an honor as a rising leader in healthcare and he was our keynote speaker. Each time, even in the briefest of interactions, his great wisdom, kindness, and optimism shined through. Each time, he helped to fuel my fire.

At this defining moment in our country—a time when we need boldness, action, and unwavering commitment to equity and justice—Rep. Lewis' legacy stands as a powerful guiding light. As we work to protect voting rights, and ensure equal opportunities for success, his teachings ring in our collective ears. As a new generation takes to the streets to demand policies, practices and policing that reflects the value that our nation must hold for Black lives, we look for lessons from the life that he lived.

Today, we thank Rep. John Lewis for making his life our example. Rest easy and rest in power, Congressman. You helped light the fire for justice in this country—and we promise to carry it forward.

Cameron
Dr. Cameron Webb