Building on a family legacy, Rose leads a growing national effort to fight systemic barriers and empower underserved communities through grassroots advocacy
By Austin R. Cooper, Jr.
Washington Informer
Gerald E. Rose is transforming a family legacy of civil rights advocacy into an expanding national movement through the New Order Human Rights Organization (NOHRO).
Rose has turned a family legacy of activism into a growing national movement for justice. As the founder of NOHRO, Rose is leading an expanding grassroots campaign to fight systemic barriers faced by Black Americans and underserved communities nationwide.
What started as a local effort has gradually expanded into a broader platform for advocacy, accountability, and community empowerment.
A Legacy That Inspired a Movement
Rose’s dedication to social justice is strongly influenced by his father, the Rev. Floyd Rose, a well-known civil rights advocate in Toledo, Ohio, recognized for his efforts to defend the dignity and rights of marginalized communities.
Growing up, he witnessed firsthand how advocacy can create change and why it’s crucial to stand up for those whose voices are frequently ignored.
“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.”
For Rose, founding the New Order Human Rights Organization was more than just creating an organization — it was carrying on a mission his father devoted his life to.
From Local Effort to National Vision
Under Rose’s leadership, NOHRO, established in 2000 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, has expanded to serve 17 cities nationwide, creating a network of activists, community leaders, and volunteers dedicated to addressing local family issues.
However, his vision extends well beyond the organization’s current scope. He plans to expand the foundation’s presence to 50 cities by the end of 2026, creating a nationwide network that can quickly respond to civil rights issues and community needs.
“We want to be where the need is greatest,” Rose said. “Real change happens when communities are organized and empowered to advocate for themselves.”
Confronting Barriers to Opportunity
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.
Through advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration with local leaders, the organization seeks to highlight inequities and provide practical support to individuals facing these challenges.
Rose believes that tackling these issues together is essential to creating genuine, lasting change.
NOHRO has been involved in several cases that have garnered both national and international news coverage, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Leon Moss, Jr., a young man being held at the Fulton County Jail on contested charges. The New Order team works with legal experts and media to pursue justice.
- Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old murdered in a hate crime, was among the first to rally outside the Glynn County Courthouse.
- Terrell Carter Jr., a 39-year-old man with a history of mental illness, was shot 24 times in East Toledo, Ohio.
- Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old woman, died while in police custody in Texas.
Rose is also familiar with 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.”
Empowering Communities Via Advocacy
Beyond raising awareness, the NOHRO aims to empower communities with resources and support systems designed to help individuals overcome institutional barriers.
Community workshops, partnerships with local organizations, and grassroots organizing are key components of the foundation’s strategy. By building strong local networks, Rose aims to improve communities’ capacity to advocate for themselves.
“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.”
Creating a Legacy for Future Generations
For Rose, the work involves not just tackling today’s challenges but also building the foundation for future generations.
By expanding the organization’s reach and strengthening partnerships across communities nationwide, he aims to build a sustainable movement capable of influencing policies and increasing opportunities for those who have historically been marginalized.
“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.”
For more information on NOHRO, please visit http://www.nohro.com or call (800) 346 -5138.
