Bright Power Fellowship

The Bright Power Fellowship, a program of the Bright Leadership Institute and the Rutland Area NAACP, will offer board leadership training for BIPOC Vermonters who are interested in leadership in nonprofit boards, or non-elected local, regional or state boards, councils and commissions. Apply now: tinyurl.com/bpf2024

What is the Bright Power Fellowship?

The BPF is a facilitated 26-hour leadership training for BIPOC Vermonters who are already serving or are interested in serving on nonprofit boards and other non-elected local, regional, and state level leadership opportunities. The Fellowship is from May 2024- April 2025 and includes in-person and remote learning sessions, expert panels, and independent learning assignments. Fellows will receive $1000 stipends, learning opportunities, peer support, and mentorship. Topics will include nonprofit board member roles & responsibilities, financial/fiduciary leadership, conflict transformation, and leveraging the power of boards to improve racial equity outcomes. Participants will get to hear from experienced leaders in panels and special presentations. The cohort program manager is Ana Mejia, and the cohort will be facilitated by Kiah Morris and Sarika Tandon.

Who is the Fellowship For?

We welcome low & moderate income BIPOC and other BIPOC Vermonters with lived experience relevant to nonprofit and board/commission service. This fellowship is open to all self-identified BIPOC who reside anywhere in the state of Vermont.

What are the objectives of BLI 2024?

BIPOC communities continue to be underserved by and underrepresented in nonprofit, state and regional boards/commissions. This program aims to increase BIPOC representation in these leadership positions where our voices and lived experience is lacking. By successfully preparing BIPOC for board service, we can ensure that our communities’ unique needs are understood and those needs inform decisions that help advance racial equity within the organization and in the broader community. By providing peer support and mentorship, we can also strengthen bonds and create opportunities to support each other if any instances of tokenism, microaggression or discrimination arise. This program will also help create relationships among BIPOC communities, nonprofits, state, regional boards/commissions, as well as promote accountability to BIPOC communities. The program objectives are to:

• Build connection and community between cohort members
• Support emerging community leaders in developing skills and confidence to take on leadership roles that support their communities
• Help leaders navigate predominantly white institutions in a way that advances equity
• Develop skills and relationships that will help BIPOC leaders be effective and sustained in their leadership roles
• Build collective power and leverage it for institutional change

Where and When will BLI 2024 happen?

The BLI begins in May 2024 and ends in April 2025. A majority of BLI sessions will be held in monthly 2-hour zoom sessions on weekday evenings. We will be holding 2 in-person sessions over the course of the 12-month cohort.

How to Apply?

You can access the application at tinyurl.com/bpf2024. Application will close at midnight, April 12, 2024.
If you have any questions about the program or how to apply please email economics@naacprutland.org.