Background
This is an unprecedented time for our country, one in which the need for quality leadership is more apparent than ever. However, Black women as well as trans and gender non-conforming Black Americans continue to be overlooked and under-resourced as leaders of nonprofits, startups, and other organizations with electoral impact in spite of the critical role they have played and continue to play in our democracy.
The PushBlack Electoral Innovators Fellowship sets out to shift this paradigm by investing in up to 20 Black social entrepreneurs (women, trans, gender non-conforming) and catalyzing these rising stars to maximize their full potential for electoral impact across key states including Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and/or Florida.
Who We Are
PushBlack is the nation’s largest nonprofit media platform for Black people. We attract and engage our subscribers with emotionally compelling Black history and news stories we send through Facebook Messenger. With this relationship, PushBlack encourages 5M Messenger subscribers (and 9M monthly active users) to raise their voices and take action on critical issues, register to vote, and to cast their votes on Election Day.
Take a look at the PushBlack Manifesto to learn more about what we’re up to.
Fellowship Description
Fellows will receive hands-on training, individualized coaching, executive-level mentorship, and day-to-day support for 6 months. As Fellows share experiences and collaborate with one another, they will benefit from a close-knit support system and network of peer leaders.
The program will run June - November 2020 with sessions via video conference.
PHASE 1: 2-Month Coaching Program featuring Strategy & Innovation Leader Whitney A. White
PHASE 2: 4-Month Mastermind featuring PushBlack co-Founder & CEO Darrell Scott
The experience will culminate with each Fellow organizing an innovative GOTV event activation with measurable electoral impact in their state. In addition to their immediate impact on the November election, Fellows will draw on the tools, experiences, and networks gained from the Fellowship to further elevate their own personal and organizational impact going forward.
Eligibility Requirements
- Identify as Black
- Identify as trans, gender non-conforming, and/or a woman
- Based in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and/or Florida
- Leader in non-profits, startups, and organizations with electoral impact
How To Apply
Please complete this application to be considered for the Fellowship. In your cover letter, please address the following questions:
- In what ways would this Fellowship advance your goals for electoral impact?
- How does your organization’s work directly impact Black communities?
- In what ways are you leading innovation within your space?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.