David Greenberg’s new biography, John Lewis: A Life, chronicles the remarkable story of the civil rights activist and congressman. Professor Kenneth Mack of Harvard University joins Greenberg for a discussion of Lewis’ life and impact on American history, whose heroism during the Civil Rights Movement helped inspire America’s new birth of freedom. Lana Ulrich, vice president of content and senior counsel at the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Additional Resources

• 2016 Liberty Medal Ceremony in honor of Representative John Lewis
• David Greenberg, John Lewis: A Life (2024)
• “Rep. John Lewis on MLK and ‘Good Trouble,’” Live at the National Constitution Center podcast (Jan. 2020)
• Boynton v. Virginia (1960)
• Civil Rights Era documents selected by Kenneth Mack and Christopher Brooks, NCC Founders’ Library
• Kenneth Mack, Representing the Race: The Creation of the Civil Rights Lawyer (2012)
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
• Bayard Rustin, “From Protest to Politics: The Future of the Civil Rights Movement”
• Voting Rights Act (1965)
• John Lewis, Remarks at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (2016)

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Questions or comments about the show? Email us at programs@constitutioncenter.org
• Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr.
• Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.
• Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
• Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube.
• Support our important work.

Donate