National Abolitionist Leader Fellowship

The National Abolitionist Leader Fellowship is a 12-month intensive fellowship aimed at training and supporting teachers looking to decolonize themselves and their classrooms. Nominate a teacher for the 2023-2024 cohort.

We have an obligation to ensure our educators are equipped to directly challenge the historical legacy of injustice in our country.

 Our Approach

The National Abolitionist Leader Fellowship offers middle and high school teachers the opportunity to work alongside youth in challenging traditional classroom environments that may perpetuate harm. Through our youth-led approach, we provide our Abolitionist Leaders with the community, education, and individualized classroom support to drive systemic change. Combined, these educational opportunities are integral in supporting teachers in their effort to decolonize themselves and their classrooms.

  • COMMUNITY

    Abolitionist Leaders are part of a national cohort of peer educators/mentors, a community of youth facilitators, and an expansive team of disruptors and co-conspirators dedicated to changing the system of the Education Survival Complex.

  • EDUCATION

    Abolitionist Leaders receive in-depth professional development directly from youth facilitators of Diversity Talks and attend an interactive monthly seminar series led by the Diversity Talks Curriculum Team.

  • SUPPORT

    Abolitionist Leaders receive the knowledge, platform, and resources for deep reflective analysis as it relates to their own power and privilege in the classroom through a year-long embedded coaching and support process.

 Our Methodology

Abolitionist Leaders receive tailored coaching and curriculum development support grounded in our PERM Framework. The PERM Framework and Assessment is a first-of-its-kind methodology for measuring cultural competence and is geared towards improving academic and non-academic outcomes for Black and Latinx students.

Are you Ready to Decolonize your Classroom?

To become an Abolitionist Leader you must meet the following criteria:

  • Work in a school or district within the United States;

  • Teach one of the following core subject areas: English Language Arts, History, Math or Science;

  • Teach on the middle school or high school level;

  • Commit to lifelong learning and reflection as it relates to abolitionist and culturally responsive teaching;

  • Be available for all fellowship dates and embedded coaching commitments.

Check back for more information on how to join our next cohort of Abolitionist Leaders.