Leadership for Racial Equity
The Leadership for Racial Equity Program is a cohort-based program that launched for the first time in Winter 2023 that provides a tight-knit, social justice-oriented community for undergraduate students at Northwestern University with a focus on racial equity and racial justice in Evanston, IL.
In year two of the program, the focus has shifted to supporting the local school district 65. Therefore, all students involved in the cohort will be working in and with a district 65 school throughout the span of the 2023-2024 academic year. NU students will work as AVID tutors for 4 hours each week of the winter and spring quarters. Fall quarter (starting week 5 will be focused on community building within the cohort and learning more about education equity in the context of Evanston as a full cohort).
The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for students to learn about grassroots racial equity efforts and to grow and apply their knowledge and lived experiences through hands-on community engagement initiatives focused on racial justice. The hyper local focus on the Evanston/Skokie school district enhances NU students’ connection to the local community and creates opportunity for students to be involved in direct service work focused on education equity.
The Leadership for Racial Equity program is open to all undergraduate students with no prerequisites or barriers for entry. 3rd and 4th year students are highly encouraged to apply!
Learning Outcomes for NU students include:
- Expand their understanding of self and others through an intersectional, anti-racist lens
- Learn more about their personal values, strengths, and interests to develop their leadership style to create positive social change
- Articulate how their leadership style can contribute to a more socially-just community and society
- Articulate their personal definitions of leadership and community engagement and to channel those to grow as positive change makers
Who Can Join?
- The Leadership for Racial Equity Cohort is open to all undergraduate students at Northwestern University with a special focus on 3rd and 4th years interested in gaining hands-on experience working on contributing to racial equity through working with Evanston youth in schools.
Why Should I Join?
- This is a unique opportunity to connect with peers across Northwestern University who are interested in collaborating on racial justice efforts and initiatives through education and direct service with schools in Evanston.
- Students will have an opportunity to engage in leadership development initiatives and continue cultivating their leadership style through a racial justice lens.
Time Commitment
- Weekly Thursday evening meetings from 5:15-6:30 pm with the cohort (during the fall quarter; weekly meetings subject to change the date of the week depending on student schedules in the winter and spring)
- 2 hours, 2x/week with assigned school each week over the course of the winter 2024 and spring 2024 quarter
- You can expect a weekly time commitment of 1.5 hours in the fall quarter (starting October 19th) and 4.5-5 hours in winter and spring quarters
*Applications are open for the 2023-2024 cohort. Apply here by October 8th at 11:59 pm.
Please contact Daniella Feijoo (she/her) (daniella.feijoo@northwestern.edu), Assistant Director for LDCE with any questions.