The Pohlad Family Foundation’s Racial Justice Grants Committee commissioned a thorough landscape analysis of existing fellowship programs in the Twin Cities, and based upon its key findings it was clear that Black organizers and activists in the racial justice movement were experiencing exhaustion and burnout at far greater rates than their white colleagues. The Grants Committee determined that to address this issue, it was an opportune time to co-create a fellowship program with a community partner that will provide resources and time for renewal so that Black community leaders will remain in the racial justice work. Critical features of the program’s goals are to weave wellness practices into their fellowship year and foster an ecosystem of support for each cohort of fellows now and into the future.

No, this program is not reparations. The purpose of the Black Legacy Fellowship is to provide a paid fellowship experience to Black organizers and activists who have persisted in the work but have not been afforded opportunities for renewal. This fellowship will support their wellbeing and renewal so they can continue to impact the longevity of the racial justice movement in the Twin Cities.

The Black Legacy Fellowship is currently restricted to individuals who were born in the United States of America and meet all other eligibility requirements. Black or African immigrants, and any other persons born outside of the United States, are not eligible to apply.

The Black Legacy Fellowship is specifically targeting American born direct descendants of enslaved Africans who also meet all other eligibility requirements. Other ways people describe this group are direct descendants of American slavery or Black American direct descendants of slaves. This also means your ancestor(s), must have been someone who was purchased, held or forced to serve as slave, in the United States of America, prior to the abolishment of slavery in the United States of America. Black people meeting all other eligibility requirements who do not have an ancestor (grandparent, great-grandparent, great-great grandparent or great-great-great grandparent) who was purchased and forced to serve as a slave in the United States of America, prior to the abolition of slavery, are not eligible to apply.

In addition to the $55,000 fellowship award, each participant is also allotted $15,000 in Community Building Funds. Fellows may designate these funds to local nonprofit organizations who work to further racial justice and benefit the Black community.

Fellowship funds will be reported to the IRS as taxable income. The Black Legacy Fellowship will provide access to financial guidance and counseling to fellows as needed.

Nominations and applications will be reviewed by a group of community reviewers. Community reviewers will be made-up of members with shared backgrounds and experiences similar to the candidates. The team includes Cultural Elders and Champions from the Black community who are dedicated to the visions and values of the Cultural Wellness Center.

No, deferments are not available. The Black Legacy Fellowship is a 12-month experience for the group of seven Fellows per year. Although each Fellow will have a unique experience, the group starts and ends the fellowship together.

Please direct your questions to BLF@culturalwellnesscenter.org and someone from the Cultural Wellness Center will reach out to you.

As a first step, please share this program with your network and nominate or support individuals you believe would be a great fit. We also welcome the support of organizations and individuals. To explore these opportunities, please email us at BLF@culturalwellnesscenter.org.