This scholarship was established to support undergraduate students whose identities are underrepresented at the University of St. Thomas or whose studies focus on racial and social justice. George Floyd, a black man, was killed at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. During Mr. Floyd's memorial service, universities were called upon to create a scholarship in his memory that will support efforts to create a more just and equitable world. As a Catholic institution, we are living our mission as we embrace and prioritize seeking sustained racial reform and equity for all.

The work to dismantle the long history of systemic racism will be hard and require thoughtful, collaborative and sustained effort. There is much work ahead to address the racial inequalities that exist about criminal justice, education, health care, jobs and wealth creation opportunities. Yet, this is work we have a responsibility to undertake, if we believe in the sanctity and dignity of every human person and in the common good, which inspires a community that enables the development of everyone’s full humanity.

This scholarship is being awarded as the Good Trouble Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship’s title is in reference and in honor of the late Representative John Lewis, who represented Georgia’s 5th District in the United States Congress from 1987-2020. Representative Lewis embodied the activism and leadership of our Civil Rights Movement and challenged the nation to strengthen its struggle for racial and social justice for marginalized communities. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011. The President addressed Lewis as the "conscience of the United States Congress," for his courage and unwavering commitment to justice.​ ​