The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship Program
The progressive movement in America has been at its best and most powerful when it has been closely connected to the communities bearing the brunt of societal inequality and oppression. Too often, however, this is not the case, resulting in less effective strategies and plans to advance progressive policy, as well as to the deprioritization of issues and fights most impacting people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ, and other vulnerable communities. In order to rise to the occasion of truly changing this country at this moment of existential crisis, we need to transform the composition of the leadership of the progressive ecosystem so the people who run campaigns and organizations come from and are connected to the communities they serve. We need to bring the energy and talent of the movement into the political arena.
The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship
To challenge this dynamic, the Sandler Phillips Center is launching the pilot Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship in 2020, an initiative designed to identify, connect, empower and elevate the fiercest fighters, best organizers, and most promising leaders in the progressive infrastructure. In 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party brought their community organizing and civic engagement work into the precincts of power at the Democratic National Convention, demanding that the Democratic Party condemn the racial segregation and injustice that had resulted, among other things, in an all-white delegation to the Party’s convention that year. The dramatic challenge and Ms. Hamer’s eloquent nationally televised testimony asking, “Is this America?” catalyzed significant changes in the party and its relationship to communities of color.
The 2020 Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship will bring together social change leaders who have proven themselves as effective, dedicated, and determined fighters for justice and equality in their communities. Fannie Lou Hamer Fellows will embody the legacy of their namesake, a courageous activist who brought discipline, creativity, and a strong moral voice to meticulous civic engagement and electoral organizing.
This fellowship aims to not only smash the false narrative that there are no political and organizing staff, operatives, advisors, and experts that are people of color, but to also prove in practice that the path to victory lies in connecting to and unleashing the energy and power in marginalized communities striving for equality.
Who is a Fannie Lou Hamer Fellow?
The model Fellow is already living out these values in their work:
They have developed a reputation as a fierce, hardworking leader who doesn’t back down from a fight.
They come from and are rooted in organizing work around social justice.
They have elevated their community by working to build political, electoral, and governing power.
They have deep cultural competence and knowledge about how to conduct political work in a way that resonates in diverse communities.
They have a track record of fighting for progressive causes — and winning.
They have likely stood out to their managers and/or supervisors as an exceptional talent who will soon be ready to lead their own organization or campaign.
Additional qualifications:
5+ years of experience organizing for progressive causes.
At least 1-2 years’ experience in a management or leadership role.
A steadfast commitment to social justice and lifting up the voices of vulnerable and marginalized communities.
The majority of the cohort (roughly 75%) will be comprised of candidates working to build power in states that will be critical to Democrats’ long-term success: Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Virginia.
The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship is intended to prepare the next generation of leaders in the progressive movement to make the step from a mid-to-high-level manager to an exceptional leader. The Fellowship will serve as an opportunity for Fellows to:
Network with other emerging progressive leaders.
Meet and learn from some of the top progressive talent in the fight right now.
Engage in ongoing professional development, coaching, and relevant skills training.
Requirements
The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship is a one-year commitment that begins on May 4, 2020 and ends April 30, 2021. Fellows will be expected to commit 5 hours per month to the fellowship program, the bulk of which will be flexible commitments set according to their own schedule. In addition to their monthly commitment, fellows will be expected to attend a 3-day retreat in May of 2020 to launch the program and a post-election convening in November of 2020.
Fellowship requirements will center on the following themes:
Leadership: Self-awareness, Building trust, Building a Culture
Management: Setting Expectations, Delegating, Team Building
Hard skills training: Fundraising, Communications & Press, Digital
Networking: Peers, Potential Donors, Political Relationships
In exchange for their time and engagement in the program, fellows will receive a $6,000 stipend. Fellows will also receive a travel stipend to cover a portion of costs to attend retreats and convenings.
Deadline for applications is Friday, April 10.