Deadline: 20-Jan-21
Are you a change maker passionate about racial equity? If yes, then apply to join the 2021 Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity (AFRE) Fellowship Program.
Fellowship in AFRE is grounded in a deep respect and appreciation for diverse experiences and perspectives and what they can build collectively. Each year they accept 20 high-impact change-makers from South Africa and the United States into the fellowship, which consists of an 18 months-long, non-residential experience that builds knowledge and capacity to effectively address the causes of racial inequality and to imagine more equitable futures.
AFRE builds upon—and reinvigorates— this rich history of exchange by creating a transnational space for leaders to come together to explore, imagine, experiment and build long-term solutions for impactful change.
The Fellowship
Each cohort of Fellows consists of 20 high-impact change-makers from South Africa and the United States who participate in a year-long, non-residential programme that builds knowledge and capacity to effectively address the causes of racial inequality. Fellowship in AFRE is about building community that is grounded in a deep respect and appreciation for diverse experiences and perspectives and what we can build collectively.
Successful applicants share their values of ubuntu, integrity, imagination, transformation and justice. They are individuals who are seeking spaces safe enough for meaningful and effective negotiation of sustainable solutions to critical social problems. They bring with them an interest and openness to deep listening and disruption of presuppositions and perspectives. They are willing to engage fully in building connections, vision and strategy with others from different racial and ethnic backgrounds and who have different political perspectives and beliefs regarding how to advance social change.
The experience is immersive and dialogue-based, with virtual participation and some international travel. It is designed to support Fellows personal growth as leaders who are rooted in deep self-awareness, resilience, mutual support and collective accountability, while also facilitating new understandings and solidarities to emerge across sector, identity, and nationality. Projects are used as a tool to cultivate innovation, collaboration and creative problem solving. The fellowship is led by a transnational team of staff and facilitators from Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Fellowship Supports
AFRE supports Fellows’ participation and leadership development through:
- International travel and accommodations in South Africa and the United States;
- Technological equipment to facilitate participation in virtual programming;
- Professional coaching, networking and financial resources to advance racial equity projects;
- Communications services for public identity-development, including a headshot, bio, and media training;
- USD $10,000 in funding to cover personal costs associated with participation;
- Access to Columbia University coursework upon graduation;
- Connection to a global community of Atlantic Fellows working for change.
Eligibility Criteria
- This programme is for individuals who are committed to achieving equity, have a track record of significant impact, and deeply value dialogue with, and learning from, diverse perspectives and voices as a critical step towards achieving societal transformation. There are no academic qualifications required to apply.
- The Fellows share the following characteristics. They are:
- Experienced in their field of work with a track record of impact in furthering racial equity
- Proposing work with the potential to significantly advance the development of new policy, institutions and/or narratives for greater equity
- Willing and able to navigate and learn from diversity and complexity on a local and global scale
- Committed to working with and supporting others to achieve individual and collective impact.
Participation Requirements
- In the current circumstances of the pandemic there is uncertainty about the exact dates for next year as our programming will depend on travel and other restrictions. However, we anticipate that the programme will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person gatherings, and that the first two modules in 2021 will be in the form of virtual retreats (VR). We will meet for 2 to 3 hours on each Thursday of August and October 2021.
- Dates for the in-person travel in 2022, webinars, Partner Learning Institute and other events will be provided at the finalist interview stage.
Note: Dates for the in-person travel in 2022, webinars, Partner Learning Institute and other events will be provided at the finalist interview stage.
For more information, visit https://racialequity.atlanticfellows.org/2021-applications