Deadline: March 19, 2023.

The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is launching The Public Voices Fellowship on Racial Justice in Early Childhood in partnership with The OpEd Project. They are now accepting applications for the 2023 Fellowship. Partners in the fellowship include The OpEd Project, Dr. Iheoma Iruka, and Sandra Wilcox Conway.

The fellowship is designed to bring new and diverse voices into racial justice in early childhood conversations, and increase thought leadership among women and people of color so that their experiences and voices are included in these important conversations and find just and equitable solutions to these challenges.  

The year-long fellowship will convene twenty thought leaders on racial justice in early childhood, most of whom will be women and people of color. The fellowship will provide exceptional support, leadership skills, and knowledge to ensure the fellows’ ideas shape their fields and today’s most important and urgent conversations.

The Public Voices Fellowship on Racial Justice in Early Childhood is part of a prestigious national initiative from The OpEd Project to change who writes history. The curriculum explores leadership, knowledge exchange, and empowerment in an unjust world. Fellows will explore building consensus, how ideas spread, when and why minds change, and how ideas can shape the future. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. They are looking for new voices from communities of color, early childhood educators and providers, academia, and the private sector, including advocates, entrepreneurs, community and business leaders, scientists, writers, and more.
2. They seek thought leaders working at the intersection of racial, social, and educational justice with a demonstrated desire and ability to contribute to the public dialogue on racial justice in early childhood.
3. Areas of focus could include but are not limited to: activism and movement building, clean air and safe water in Black communities, safe and appropriate Internet policies for children, infants, and maternal health, and global policies on racial justice and food justice.
4. The fellowship is open to people at least 18 years old residing in the United States.

BENEFITS

• Up to 20 fellows
• Year-long program
• Four convenings:
  • One 3-day virtual kickoff convening (May 31-June 2, 2023)
  • Two virtual convenings (August 10-11, 2023; January 18-19, 2024)
  • One in-person convening in Charlotte, NC, Friday, October 13, 2023. 
  • Please note: Applicants MUST commit to attending these convenings in FULL.
• Dedicated editors (top journalists) to provide regular, one-on-one support/editing/coaching.
• Access to ongoing mentoring for the fellowship year
• Need-based travel and lodging stipends are available to fellows for the in-person convening in Charlotte, NC, on Friday, October 13, 2023. The workshops will be provided free of charge.

OFFICIAL LINK