HED: Carrying the Torch of Justice 

SUBHED: Legacy to Action: Gerald E. Rose’s Growing Fight for Justice

 

By Austin R. Cooper, Jr.

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Staff Writer

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Gerald E. Rose is turning a family legacy of civil rights advocacy into a expanding national movement through the New Order Human Rights Organization (NOHRO).

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Rose has transformed a family legacy of activism into a growing national movement advocating for justice. As the founder of NOHRO, Rose is leading an expanding grassroots effort to fight systemic barriers faced by Black Americans and underserved communities across the country.

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What began as a local effort has gradually grown into a wider platform for advocacy, accountability, and community empowerment.

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A Legacy That Inspired a Movement

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Rose’s dedication to social justice is deeply shaped by his father, the Rev. Floyd Rose, a respected civil rights advocate in Toledo, Ohio, known for his commitment to defending the dignity and rights of marginalized communities.

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Growing up, he saw firsthand how advocacy can make a difference and why it's important to stand up for those whose voices are often ignored.

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“My father believed advocacy meant standing in the gap for people who didn’t always have someone fighting for them,” Rose said. “That principle guides everything I do.”

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For Rose, founding the New Order Human Rights Organization was more than just establishing an organization — it was continuing a mission his father dedicated his life to.

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From Local Effort to National Vision

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Under Rose’s leadership, NOHRO, established in 2000 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, has expanded to serve 17 cities across the country, building a network of activists, community leaders, and volunteers dedicated to addressing local family issues.

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However, his vision goes far beyond the organization’s current scope. He aims to expand the foundation’s presence to 50 cities by the end of 2026, establishing a nationwide network capable of responding swiftly to civil rights issues and community needs.

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“We want to be where the need is greatest,” Rose said. “Real change happens when communities are organized and empowered to advocate for themselves.”

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Confronting Barriers to Opportunity

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The organization tackles issues that often overlap in the lives of marginalized communities. Its priorities include fighting racial profiling, helping individuals overcome employment barriers, supporting students and families facing challenges in the school system, and advocating for meaningful education reform.

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Through advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration with local leaders, the organization aims to highlight inequities and offer practical support to individuals facing these challenges.

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Rose believes that tackling these issues together is essential for creating genuine and permanent change.

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NOHRO has been involved in several cases that have garnered both national and international news coverage, including, but not limited to, the following:

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·       Leon Moss, Jr., a young man held at Fulton County Jail over contested charges. The New Order team works with legal experts and media to pursue justice.

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·       Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old murdered in a hate crime, with Rose among the first to rally outside the Glynn County Courthouse.

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·       Terrell Carter Jr., a 39-year-old man with a history of mental illness, was shot 24 times in East Toledo, Ohio.

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·       Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old woman, died while in police custody in Texas.

 

Rose is also no stranger to controversy. He publicly supported Michael Vick during the dogfighting scandal, even writing him weekly letters while in prison. “Everybody said, ‘Gerald, why are you supporting him?’ But I also saw the bigger picture – a man, not just his mistakes.” 

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Empowering Communities Via Advocacy

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Beyond raising awareness, the NOHRO focuses on empowering communities with resources and support systems designed to help individuals overcome institutional barriers.

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Community workshops, partnerships with local organizations, and grassroots organizing are essential parts of the foundation’s strategy. By building strong local networks, Rose aims to strengthen communities' ability to advocate for themselves.

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“Empowerment begins when people realize they are not alone,” Rose said. “Our duty is to help communities organize, speak out, and demand the opportunities they deserve.”

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Creating a Legacy for Future Generations

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For Rose, the work involves not just tackling today's challenges but also building the foundation for future generations.

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By broadening the organization’s reach and strengthening partnerships in communities nationwide, he aims to build a sustainable movement capable of influencing policies and expanding opportunities for those who have historically been marginalized.

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“Our mission goes beyond today’s problems,” Rose said. “It’s about creating pathways for the next generation to succeed and making sure that justice and opportunity are rights, not privileges."

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For more information on NOHRO, please visit www.nohro.com or call (800)-346-5138.