Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship

Preparing and Empowering the Next Generation of Fierce Fighters for Justice.

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 ineffective strategies and plans to advance progressive policy, as well as the deprioritization of the issues and fights most impacting people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA, and other vulnerable communities. In order to rise to the occasion of truly changing the 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. 

The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship, an initiative launched in 2020 by Susan Sandler and Steve Phillips, is designed to identify, connect, and empower the fiercest fighters, best organizers, and most promising leaders in the progressive infrastructure. The fellowship aims to elevate non-profit leaders, political and organizing staff, operatives, advisors, and experts who are working to unleash the energy and power that lies in marginalized communities across the country. Fannie Lou Hamer Fellows are impressive social change leaders who are doing the work, flexing their muscles, and enacting change across the country. Leaders who are smashing false narratives and rising above to meet the moment and any challenge that comes their way. Leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer.  

The Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship is a 12-month training and mentorship program aimed to prepare Fellows to be the next generation of exceptional leaders in the progressive movement. Fellows have the opportunity to network with other emerging progressive leaders, meet and learn from some of the top progressive talents in the fight right now, and engage in ongoing professional development, coaching, and relevant skills training.  

About Susan Sandler and Steve Phillips 

Susan Sandler's family has been behind creating some of the largest and most important progressive institutions in the country such as the Center for American Progress, ProPublica, and the Learning Policy Institute. She and Steve have carried on the tradition of civic leadership by investing in young leaders, challenging the status quo, and pushing for transformative change and racial and social justice. Susan is a philanthropist and political donor, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the Sandler Foundation and principal of the Susan Sandler Fund. She is a national leader in education reform and has served as a board member of several progressive non-profit organizations. Steve is a New York Times bestselling author, civil rights lawyer, national thought leader and founder of Democracy in Color.

Meet the 2020 Fellows

Fannie Lou Hamer Fellows 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. Fellows are impressive social change leaders who have proven themselves as effective, dedicated, and determined fighters for justice and equality in their communities, and represent and work for people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA, and other vulnerable communities.

2020 Fannie Lou Hamer Mentors

A crucial component of the Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship is the involvement of present-day highly effective and accomplished leaders with a proven record of success who serve as mentors and advisors. Each fellow is paired with a Fannie Lou Hamer Mentor who provides ongoing advice and support over the course of the Fannie Lou Hamer Fellowship.