Fall Fellowship Program

Our annual Fall Fellowship Organizing Cohort is an immersive experience designed to empower, educate, and embolden the next generation of change-makers. Our program goes beyond conventional training, providing a dynamic platform for individuals aged 18-30, with a particular focus on HBCU students and young minds in the U.S. South. Traditionally, our program has consisted of semester-long weekly training, the completion of a project, and opportunities to connect with other student organizers in partner organizations. Upon completion of the program, fellows are welcomed back to become lead fellows. As a lead fellow, students are permitted the opportunity and autonomy to have hands-on experience in shaping the content and curriculum of the fellowship alongside SOS and SVA staff.

Fall Fellowship Highlights:

• Liberation Education: Dive into a transformative journey of liberation education, where critical analysis of history meets hands-on community organizing strategies. Our curriculum is crafted to not just inform but to inspire, fostering a deep understanding of systemic issues and the tools needed to dismantle them.
• Community Organizing: Gain practical insights into the art and science of community organizing. From foundational principles to advanced strategies, our program equips participants with the skills to mobilize communities, build effective campaigns, and drive tangible change.
• Professional Development: Elevate your leadership skills through personalized professional development experiences. Tell us what you’re working towards, so that we can assist you through the capacity of our programming in achieving your professional goals.
• Connection and Networking: Forge lasting connections with like-minded individuals who share your passion for justice. Our program provides opportunities to connect not only with fellow participants but also with experienced organizers and activists, creating a supportive network for ongoing collaboration.
• Intersectional Approach: Embrace an intersectional approach to organizing, recognizing the interconnectedness of various social justice issues. Our program encourages participants to explore the intersections of race, gender, class, and more, fostering a holistic understanding of systemic challenges.
• Innovative Strategies: Break away from the conventional and explore innovative strategies for advocacy. From utilizing digital platforms to creative community engagement to art activism–our program encourages out-of-the-box thinking and adapts to the evolving landscape of change-making as defined through the eyes, efforts, and beliefs of young people.
• Healing Justice: Understanding that social justice work and existing in the current conditions of society can be emotionally demanding, our program incorporates healing justice principles. We provide resources and support for participants to prioritize self-care, build resilience, and foster a community where healing is an integral part of our collective journey.