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Unum Fellows Application: Cohort VI

About E Pluribus Unum

E Pluribus Unum (EPU) was formed in 2018 by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu with the premise that we must confront the issue of racism head-on if we are to move forward as a region and a country. Our cities and towns will only thrive if they find a way to unite around a common purpose. EPU’s core areas are to:

  • Cultivate and empower courageous individuals who are focused on racial and economic equity
  • Change the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism
  • Champion transformative policy change

Through this work, we advance a vision for a more just, equitable, and inclusive South. Together, we can chart a new course for the South — one that centers on addressing and supporting racial and economic equity.

How can you be a part of creating a new South? The country’s landscape is changing rapidly, and leaders and advocates must have the tools to spark meaningful conversations about change, address the complete history of our past, and defuse the tensions that will arise as we move into a new era. As local leaders, you are uniquely positioned to drive transformative, sustainable change right where you are – and we want to give you the tools to do so.

About the Unum Fellows Program

The Unum Fellows program is a unique, non-partisan fellowship that ensures leaders in the South can act thoughtfully and effectively on issues of racial and economic equity and drive sustainable change in their communities.

We bring Fellows together over 18 months (in-person and virtually) to learn and exchange ideas. We’ll explore topics like:

  • Applying a racial equity framework,
  • Using disaggregated data to make the case for equity,
  • Communicating effectively about equity, and
  • Building strong partnerships with community.

If you’re interested in applying for the Unum Fellowship click the Apply Button below!

Fellows will also receive project planning support and technical assistance to develop and execute a project that specifically addresses racial and/or economic disparities in their community. Fellows will receive up to $10,000 in project funding as part of the fellowship. (Note that during the fellowship a fiscal agent relationship must be established with a non-profit, community-based organization for project funding to be dispersed.)

Projects can address any equity[1] issue. You can find out more about some of the projects that past fellows have taken on here.

However, we believe this fellowship is about more than money to do your work. Your cohort will become your community. You’ll be part of a tight-knit, catalytic group of fellows who will be working on their projects alongside you. You’ll be supported by experts stationed inside EPU and external advisors to EPU. You’ll have use of our deep connections to and across the South — its communities, its policymakers, and its racial justice champions, clergy, artists, movers, and shakers.

What We’re Looking For

This year we’re focused on local elected officials. We’re looking for mayors, county commissioners, parish presidents, city councilmembers, school board members, law enforcement officials – any local elected position is eligible! Applicants must represent a community in the American South[2] and must be in their current term of office through December 2026.

We’re seeking individuals who demonstrate a(n):

  • Strong commitment to learning about and promoting equity,
  • Openness to continued learning and self-reflection,
  • Awareness of equity issues in your community, and
  • Willingness to meaningfully engage with community partners when building solutions.

EPU seeks to host a fellowship program that reflects the diversity of the Southern experience, and we want our 2025 cohort to be as inclusive as possible. We encourage applicants of any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.

We understand that this work takes time. Some projects may move forward by leaps and bounds during the fellowship, but still be multi-year projects. Others may produce complete bodies of work.

You can read about and meet our past cohorts to get a sense of the types of people and projects we look for.

Commitment

The fellowship runs for 18 months. The program is not full-time; we designed it to complement your current work and projects. As we want you to make the most of your EPU time and resources, fellows are expected to fully participate in program convenings, webinars, and calls. (EPU will cover travel costs to in person events.) Fellows should plan to spend around 5 – 7 hours a month on fellowship activities.

Key Dates

  • December 16, 2024 – Application Open
  • March 2, 2025 – Application Deadline
  • May 2025 – Acceptance Notification
  • June 2025 – Opening Convening
  • December 2026 – Fellowship Concludes

For more details on the fellowship, please read through the Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions after reviewing the FAQ, please reach out to fellows@unumfund.org.

[1] EPU defines racial and economic equity as the fair opportunity for everyone to reach their full potential regardless of demographic, social, economic, or geographic status.

[2] Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

FAQ:

Our research has taught us that people place a great deal of hope in their local leadership. We want to empower Southern local leadership to act on issues of race and class in new ways. The Unum Fellows program will give leaders in Southern communities the tools and resources they need to tear down the barriers that separate us by race and class.

EPU defines equity as the fair opportunity for everyone to reach their full potential regardless of demographic, social, economic, or geographic status.

EPU is focused on the following Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

There are no population requirements for the community you serve. We welcome applicants from all kinds and sizes of communities.

There are no minimum staff requirements. Fellows will engage their senior staff, as available and needed, to support the implementation of strategic plans that are born in the fellowship program.

This fellowship is a good fit for leaders who see challenges that disparately impact people of color and/or living in poverty. You may not yet have a deep knowledge of equity, but you are interested in developing your knowledge and taking action.

You will be committing to attend two in-person convenings: one in June of 2025 and the other in June of 2026, to participate in regular fellowship activities, and to design and implement a project to advance equity in your community.

You should expect to spend five to seven hours a month on the fellowship through the learning phase. In the implementation phase, the amount of time you dedicate will depend on the project that you have designed.

Yes, EPU will pay the travel costs associated with the in-person convenings.

All Fellows who actively participate in the program will receive $10,000. Additionally, fellows may have the opportunity to apply for supplemental funding from EPU, depending on their project needs and funding availability.

A fiscal agent is required both to facilitate the disbursement of funds and to strengthen and deepen community partnerships.

Fiscal agents must be a 501(c)(3) organization. If you are a non-profit leader or board member, note that project funding should not serve as a proxy for an organizational grant.

Funding may only be used on your Unum Fellows project and should only be used for allowable 501c3 activities (e.g., funding should not be used for partisan campaign activity). You and your fiscal agent will be required to report on your expenditures.

No, there are no cash or in-kind match requirements.

Project implementation will occur through December 2026. Extensions may be available on a limited basis, but you should plan to expend all project funds by December of 2026.

You should expect to learn equity fundamentals as well as practical tools for how to improve equity in your community. Core learning themes will ensure that fellows:

  • Gain perspective on the systemic and structural nature of racism;
  • Gain skills for creating equitable organizations and systems;
  • Learn how to design and implement effective equity-driven policy;
  • Learn how to use data and research to develop strategies for equitable systems change;
  • Examine successful strategies to navigate political levers, and
  • Enhance communications opportunities to advance new narratives on race and class.

The amount and kind of technical assistance you receive will depend on the issue area that you have identified. It may include things like supplemental training or expert analysis, depending on your needs.

Each fellow will have the support of a Navigator Team, who will meet with them regularly to advise and coach fellows through the project planning and implementation process.

The application is due March 2, 2025 by 11:59pm CT.

A successful applicant will demonstrate a(n):

  • Strong commitment to learning about and promoting equity
  • Openness to continued learning and self-reflection
  • Awareness of equity issues in your community
  • Willingness to meaningfully engage with community partners when building solutions

Yes, you will receive an email confirmation of your application submission.

Yes, applicants who are finalists will be asked to complete a phone interview.

We will be notifying applicants of whether their applications were successful in May 2025.

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