Deadline: 31-Dec-22
Africa Centre has launched 2023 Cohort One of the Ujima Fellowship, a leadership development program that aims to address structural racism and inequity by creating opportunities for diverse representation within advisory or decision making entities.
This fellowship aims to support young Black leaders between the ages of 18 – 35 who demonstrate the willingness to develop their leadership skills and want to serve on advisory or policy-making platforms. The Ujima Fellowship Program is funded by the Government of Canada.
The fellowship is named Ujima (oo-JEE-mah), after the third principle of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural celebration that honors African American and African culture. Ujima means collective responsibility and work. Ujima focuses on the foundation of community building and collaboration as a means to solve problems and stepping away from the individual mindset and moving towards a collective approach.
Program Framework
- The Ujima Fellowship is a 10-month program in collaboration with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO) and various community partners which consists of the following:
- 35 hours of in-class leadership training
- 8-month placement with a volunteer agency, board, commission, or committee (ABCC)
- 20 hours of volunteer work.
- All classes will be in person instruction. In accordance with NAIT policy, all program participants will need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination before the program start date. If restrictions change due to COVID mandates, courses will be moved to online instruction.
- Program participants who successfully complete all the NAIT course requirements, host placement and volunteer components will receive a dual certificate in Leadership Development from NAIT and Africa Centre.
- Program participants will be paid a stipend for the hours spent in meetings throughout the 8-month placement. Recruitment will be done through an application process and the top candidates will be selected by representatives of the Africa Centre.
- ABCCs will act as community partners. Each ABCC placement will require a designated person to support and provide guidance for the program participant. Host ABCCs must be able to accommodate and guide the program participant for the entirety of the placement.
Benefits
- Through this fellowship, you will gain the following skills and experiences:
- Develop leadership skills and knowledge of organizational strategies and tools to become an effective leader
- Demonstrate increased self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth
- Understand the inner workings of the organizational framework of ABCCs during their placement
- Become more involved in the community and care for the environment.
- Acquire valuable leadership skills they can put into action
- Meet like-minded leaders and develop meaningful professional relationships
Program Participants
- Program Participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills in the following areas of business, leadership development, organizational and management skills, diversity and inclusion, strategic communication etc.
- The ideal applicant should be highly self-motivated, independent and have a strong interest in community engagement and leadership development. Applicants must demonstrate how they actively engage in the betterment of their communities through their activities and previous accomplishments.
- As a program participant, the fellowship will provide you with the necessary leadership skills to be effective leaders in various organizational structures and give you first-hand experience as a member of an ABCC
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this fellowship you must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a member of the Black community
- Be between the ages of 18 – 35
- Currently enrolled or graduated from a post-secondary institution
- Demonstrate volunteer experience within community initiatives, civic engagement and/or business experience
For more information, visit Africa Centre.