Derreck Kayongo leaving Center for Civil and Human Rights

Derreck Kayongo, a one-time refugee from Uganda who became chief executive officer at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in 2015, will be leaving his post, it was announced Tuesday.

The center’s chair, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, said, in a statement, “Together, we have built the Center for Civil and Human Rights into a world-class institution. . . On behalf of the entire board, we wish Derreck great success in his future plans. We are well-positioned and excited for the next phase of our growth.”

Immigrating to the U.S. at age 22, Kayongo earned an international law degree and worked for Amnesty International and Atlanta-based CARE International.

He founded the Atlanta-based Global Soap Project in 2008, eventually sending millions of bars of reclaimed soap to refugees around the world.

Kayongo's efforts to keep the world clean were profiled in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2014.

ExploreHe was chosen to lead the Center for Civil and Human Rights in 2015.

The statement from the center said that Kayongo was leaving to pursue “other endeavors.”

Center board member and founder of the LGBT Institute, Brian Tolleson, will serve as Interim CEO, according to the statement.

About the Author

Fourth U.S. soldier who went missing in Lithuania has been identified

The U.S. military on Wednesday identified the fourth American soldier from Georgia’s Fort Stewart found dead after going missing during a training mission in Lithuania.

Health care provider bankruptcy may stick rural Georgia with state prisoners’ medical bills

Public ambulance services and hospitals are owed $75 million from the now-bankrupt Wellpath. Some want the state to reimburse them.

3 of 4 U.S. soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have been found dead

Three of four U.S. soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have been found dead. The soldiers had been stationed at Georgia's Fort Stewart.

The Latest

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

A.M. ATL: Tree-totaling

26m ago

Fourth U.S. soldier who went missing in Lithuania has been identified

A.M. ATL: More pain at the CDC

Featured

Credit: Jenni Girtman

With new American South guide, Michelin highlights Atlanta – but not Georgia

The 2025 Michelin Guide featuring metro Atlanta will expand to include six southern states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Atlanta police say woman made fake 911 call prior to Young Scooter’s death

The bizarre string of events that led to the Atlanta rapper’s death began when Demetria Spence made a fake call to 911, according to police.

Trump’s legal fees, religious liberty and DEI: What made the cut with Georgia lawmakers

Wednesday is the penultimate day of the 2025 Georgia legislative session. It’s expected to be busy as lawmakers rush to get their bills assigned to the House and Senate floor.