Net Impact Racial Equity Fellowship
The Racial Equity Fellowship program is supported by Newman’s Own Foundation, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and Symantec Foundation.
The Net Impact Fellowship is a year-long leadership development program where you can design and implement an action project on your campus about racial equity. Be part of an intimate cohort of like-minded peers from across the country who are passionate about challenging racial inequity and bias on their campuses and communities by educating, initiating difficult conversations, and inspiring change through a real-world action project.
Join a cohort of smart, passionate students from across the country who want to change the world! Applications are now closed.
Benefits of Participating
- Receive free registration to the 2017 Net Impact Conference in Atlanta on Oct 26-28; network with inspiring changemakers, meet your cohort, and engage in Fellowship-specific trainings
- Build your resume to stand out by leading a real-world impact project
- Implement a meaningful project on your campus (Net Impact will support you with tools and a stipend)
- Develop your leadership skills through implementing a real-world project on your campus
- Learn from an awesome cohort of students from around the country
- Share your changemaking story with the world
Timeline
- September 25: Fellowship Application deadline is now closed
- October 4: Selected Fellows announced
- Oct 26-28: Fellows attend 2017 Net Impact Conference in Atlanta, GA
- November-December: Fellows research and plan campus projects
- Jan-May: Fellows implement and evaluate campus projects
- Yearlong: Virtual cohort meetups, support from Net Impact Central, and access to experts
Eligibility
All US-based undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Fellows who are not part of a chapter will work towards starting one as part of the program.
Deadline to Apply - September 25 - Application has closed
Contact information to learn more - fellowship@netimpact.org
FAQ
- As a Fellow, how will I interact with my Net Impact Chapter?
- All Fellows will implement an action project on their campus related to the theme of their cohort - either food, climate change, tech for good, or racial equity. These projects will engage Net Impact chapter members to build awareness and/or create institutional change on campus.
- Will I get paid to participate in this Fellowship Program?
- You will receive free Net Impact Conference registration, a stipend to complete an action project on your campus, virtual leadership development training, and access to a cohort of like-minded peers. You will not receive compensation for participating in the Fellowship program.
- What if I want to be a Fellow but I can't attend the Net Impact Conference?
- It is important for all Fellows to attend the Net Impact Conference in Atlanta October 26-28th. The conference is an amazing opportunity to meet the other Fellows, develop your action projects, and get inspired by industry experts. If it is not possible for you to attend, exceptions may be made.
- How much of a time commitment is it to be a Fellow?
- The Fellowship runs from October 2017-May 2018. Fellows on average spend 2-5 hours per week working on their project but this varies greatly depending on the time of year and the scope of the project.
Meet Our Past Fellows
Rajan Agrawal
School
Boston University
Major
MBA in public and non-profit
Project
I am so excited to be a part of this amazing cause.
Cullin Brown
School
Elon University
Major
International Business
Project
I will be creating a survey to answer the question "Do students in the business school care to learn more about CSR and racial equity?" Then use the data collected and secondary research to create a report that conveys students' needs for conversations regarding diversity in the classroom.
Dorian Davis
School
Indiana University
Major
Public Affairs: Nonprofit Management & Social Entrepreneurship
Project
“We wanted to make people uncomfortable in order for them to understand the plight of these women.”
Dorian’s project was an educational event titled "The Personal is Political: Exploring the Relationships of Gender and Race on Political Action & Social Movements" Students and facilitators read, analyzed, and discussed the contributions that women of color have given to social movements across history.
Rajan Agrawal
School
University of California Berkeley
Major
Computer Science
Project
My project will be the Power of Perception Semesterly Conference, consisting of racial equity presentations and inspirational guest speakers in the morning followed by documentary viewing and open dialogues in the afternoon.
Cindia De La Torre
School
California State University East Bay
Major
MBA
Project
For my project, I plan to found the Lean In Circle on campus (Lean in Latinas CSUEB) and cater to Latina undergraduate and graduate students at CSUEB.
Paula Forero
School
Baruch College, City University of New York
Major
MBA
Project
I will host a discussion where DREAMers and other civic leaders talk about the importance of protecting the DACA executive action.
Ramya Gopal
School
Yale University, School of Management
Major
MBA
Project
For my project, I will develop a survey to measure the level of cultural inclusion at the Yale School of Management - and analyze the effectiveness of existing interventions developed to address the problem.
Catherine Hufnagel
School
American University
Major
Social Enterprise
Project
My project will be to incorporate culturally relevant pedagogical training into American University's school of education so that prospective teachers will be fully prepared to support the next generation of culturally competent citizens.
Charlie James
School
University of California Berkeley, Hass School of Business
Major
Business Administration
Project
The first part of my project is to interview the Haas professors teaching the core set of classes required for each Haas student to graduate on racial equity. Depending on how the interviews are received, I will determine the next steps of the project. Read more from Charlie.
Krystal Leaphart
School
Howard University
Major
Sociology
Project
I am doing a workshop on White supremacy and Intersectionality with Impact Hub and Howard University students. We will talk about the origins of intersectionality. We will also discuss examples and how we can all live the concepts of being there for black women, femmes and girls.
Faduma-Dhool Mohamed
School
Arizona State University
Major
Global Affairs and Management
Project
I plan to bring the diversity of Thunderbird School of Global Management to high school students through a series of talks.
Shaina Poulard
School
Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
Major
Entrepreneurship/Leadership & Change Management with the Social, Environmental & Ethical Responsibility Business Certificate
Project
“My project equipped participants with tools on how to facilitate and raise awareness about inclusion to individuals that do not find it necessary or don't see a lack of inclusion as a problem.”
Shaina invited 20 prospective students to a special workshop that discussed how to effectively harness the power of inclusion. Each guest had the opportunity to network with current domestic students of diverse backgrounds, participate in a diversity activity, and hear from a diverse panel of current students.
Tiffani Patton
School
Presidio Graduate School
Major
Sustainable Management
Project
My project is three pronged: share knowledge, stir empathy, and facilitate dialogue.
Shashwati Prasad
School
Simon Business School
Major
Finance and Strategy
Project
TBD
Sudeep Sanan
School
University of Notre Dame
Major
Marketing
Project
TBD.
Fatima Saya
School
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Major
Joint MBA/ Master of Global Affairs Candidate
Project
TBD
Erin Spence
School
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business
Major
MBA
Project
I plan on doing a sympsium on whiteness - to look at how race is experienced by white people and how white supremacy is so ingrained in our culture.
Chelsea Stone
School
Presidio Graduate School
Major
MBA
Project
My project will be based on empowering communities of color to overcome barriers to entry in the new energy economy.
Yulkendy Valdez
School
Babson College
Major
Business Management
Project
I am planning a retreat style program for around 100 students, where we will explore identity, systemic racism and inclusive leadership.
Crystal Williams
School
Clark Atlanta University
Major
Psychology
Project
TBD

Rajan Agrawal
School
Boston University
Major
MBA in public and non-profit
Project
I am so excited to be a part of this amazing cause.

Cullin Brown
School
Elon University
Major
International Business
Project
I will be creating a survey to answer the question "Do students in the business school care to learn more about CSR and racial equity?" Then use the data collected and secondary research to create a report that conveys students' needs for conversations regarding diversity in the classroom.

Dorian Davis
School
Indiana University
Major
Public Affairs: Nonprofit Management & Social Entrepreneurship
Project
“We wanted to make people uncomfortable in order for them to understand the plight of these women.”
Dorian’s project was an educational event titled "The Personal is Political: Exploring the Relationships of Gender and Race on Political Action & Social Movements" Students and facilitators read, analyzed, and discussed the contributions that women of color have given to social movements across history.
Rajan Agrawal
School
University of California Berkeley
Major
Computer Science
Project
My project will be the Power of Perception Semesterly Conference, consisting of racial equity presentations and inspirational guest speakers in the morning followed by documentary viewing and open dialogues in the afternoon.

Cindia De La Torre
School
California State University East Bay
Major
MBA
Project
For my project, I plan to found the Lean In Circle on campus (Lean in Latinas CSUEB) and cater to Latina undergraduate and graduate students at CSUEB.

Paula Forero
School
Baruch College, City University of New York
Major
MBA
Project
I will host a discussion where DREAMers and other civic leaders talk about the importance of protecting the DACA executive action.

Ramya Gopal
School
Yale University, School of Management
Major
MBA
Project
For my project, I will develop a survey to measure the level of cultural inclusion at the Yale School of Management - and analyze the effectiveness of existing interventions developed to address the problem.

Catherine Hufnagel
School
American University
Major
Social Enterprise
Project
My project will be to incorporate culturally relevant pedagogical training into American University's school of education so that prospective teachers will be fully prepared to support the next generation of culturally competent citizens.

Charlie James
School
University of California Berkeley, Hass School of Business
Major
Business Administration
Project
The first part of my project is to interview the Haas professors teaching the core set of classes required for each Haas student to graduate on racial equity. Depending on how the interviews are received, I will determine the next steps of the project. Read more from Charlie.

Krystal Leaphart
School
Howard University
Major
Sociology
Project
I am doing a workshop on White supremacy and Intersectionality with Impact Hub and Howard University students. We will talk about the origins of intersectionality. We will also discuss examples and how we can all live the concepts of being there for black women, femmes and girls.

Faduma-Dhool Mohamed
School
Arizona State University
Major
Global Affairs and Management
Project
I plan to bring the diversity of Thunderbird School of Global Management to high school students through a series of talks.

Shaina Poulard
School
Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
Major
Entrepreneurship/Leadership & Change Management with the Social, Environmental & Ethical Responsibility Business Certificate
Project
“My project equipped participants with tools on how to facilitate and raise awareness about inclusion to individuals that do not find it necessary or don't see a lack of inclusion as a problem.”
Shaina invited 20 prospective students to a special workshop that discussed how to effectively harness the power of inclusion. Each guest had the opportunity to network with current domestic students of diverse backgrounds, participate in a diversity activity, and hear from a diverse panel of current students.

Tiffani Patton
School
Presidio Graduate School
Major
Sustainable Management
Project
My project is three pronged: share knowledge, stir empathy, and facilitate dialogue.

Shashwati Prasad
School
Simon Business School
Major
Finance and Strategy
Project
TBD

Sudeep Sanan
School
University of Notre Dame
Major
Marketing
Project
TBD.

Fatima Saya
School
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Major
Joint MBA/ Master of Global Affairs Candidate
Project
TBD

Erin Spence
School
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business
Major
MBA
Project
I plan on doing a sympsium on whiteness - to look at how race is experienced by white people and how white supremacy is so ingrained in our culture.

Chelsea Stone
School
Presidio Graduate School
Major
MBA
Project
My project will be based on empowering communities of color to overcome barriers to entry in the new energy economy.

Yulkendy Valdez
School
Babson College
Major
Business Management
Project
I am planning a retreat style program for around 100 students, where we will explore identity, systemic racism and inclusive leadership.

Crystal Williams
School
Clark Atlanta University
Major
Psychology
Project
TBD