Thank you for your interest in the Surge Fellowship program, a transformative journey designed specifically for Black and Latinx leaders in Chicago who are committed to making a lasting impact on our communities.

Surge Fellows leave this experience having enhanced their competency in both technical and adaptive leadership skills, including relationship management, problem-solving, negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, anti-racist design, and project planning, management and execution. Surge Fellows also gain a deeper understanding of the sociopolitical and economic context, history and structure of public education. And, importantly, Surge Fellows rediscover themselves, their power and their dreams, and become a part of a community of leaders who see, support and affirm each other.

2024 Chicago
Fellowship Webinar

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Why I Became A
Surge Chicago Fellow

Disclaimer: Our intended audience for our virtual gatherings are African-American and Latine/x leaders in the Chicago education and youth-serving space.

Surge Chicago 2024 Fellowship Session Dates

The fellowship cohort participates in monthly full-day sessions: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (virtual sessions) and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (hybrid sessions). Fellows are expected to attend all retreats and monthly sessions.

Session 1: Opening Retreat
October 19-21, 2023

Session 2:
November 17, 2023

Session 3:
December 15, 2023

Session 4:
January 19, 2024

Session 5:
February 16, 2024

Session 6:
March 15, 2024

Session 7:
April 19, 2024

Session 8:
May 17, 2024

Session 9:
June 21, 2024

Session 10: Closing Retreat and Graduation
July 18-20, 2024

Applications for the 2025 cohort will open early May 2024.

For the 2024 Surge Fellowship year, we anticipate a combination of virtual and hybrid monthly sessions, with optional opportunities to gather in-person for social connections. COVID protocols will be in place to ensure the health and safety of all in our community. It is possible that we will be able to thoughtfully and carefully transition our hybrid sessions to be fully in-person (no virtual component) at some point during the year. In doing so, we would follow the wisdom, needs, and risk-tolerance of our community. Our priority is the physical and psychological well-being and safety of our people.

CANDIDATE
CRITERIA

  • Chicago-based African-American or Latine/x leader roughly between the ages of 28 to 40
  • Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
  • Minimum of six years of work experience
  • Employed in education or youth-serving role (i.e., district, charter, youth-serving non-profit, higher education, public policy, philanthropy, advocacy) at the initiation of and for the duration of the fellowship
  • Have a proven track record of leadership (5-15 years of experience) within nonprofit schools or organizations, effectively serving students and families underserved by our public education system.
  • Demonstrate creativity and entrepreneurship, pushing beyond conventional boundaries to pioneer new pathways, both individually and through collaboration.
  • Are actively engaged in understanding the intersection of their lived experiences, including considerations of race and privilege, and how these factors shape their leadership approach.
  • Have developed resilience and maturity through overcoming personal challenges.
  • Are at a point where they are reflecting on their leadership journey and envisioning the future is pertinent.
  • Embrace a growth mindset, acknowledging that they don’t have all the answers and are open to listening and learning from diverse perspectives with humility, vulnerability, curiosity, and empathy.
  • Display a strong desire to cultivate relationships and bridge divides across political differences.
  • Passion for positively impacting the lives of young people and their communities

FELLOWSHIP
EXPECTATIONS

  • Attend all sessions
  • Complete all requisite pre work before sessions (approximately 5-10 hours per month)
  • Get your supervisor’s support
  • Show up for yourself!

APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS

  • Completed application, including a résumé and responses to four essay questions
  • Two recommendation surveys: one must be from current supervisor
  • Memorandum of Understanding signed by applicant and employer

If you have specific questions, contact Surge at chicago@surgeinstitute.org.