Black Visions Environmental Justice Fellows Application

Please share a little bit about yourself and why you want to join this fellowship? *
What excites you about environmental justice and leadership in your community? *
What environmental or community issues matter most to you where you live? These could include things like housing conditions, air quality, climate change, green space, pollution, community safety, or something else you’ve noticed in your neighborhood. *
We believe safety can come from strong relationships, care, and healthy environments. Share what safety looks like in your community. *
Leadership can look many ways helping organize something, supporting a friend or community member, speaking up about an issue, or bringing people together. *
This fellowship involves working with community members and other youth. What strengths or skills would you bring to the fellowship? *
What do you hope to learn or gain from participating in this fellowship? *
Black Visions is a Queer and Trans centering organization. What experience do you have working with trans, queer and gender non-conforming people? *
What is your understanding of abolition? *
Can you commit to 16 hours a week for this fellowship? *
Do you identify as Black? Yes No, white No, non-Black Person of Color
Do you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community? Yes No Prefer not to say

- You may receive email updates from Black Visions, the sponsor of this form.
- You may receive email updates from Cierra Brown, the creator of this form.
- Edit Subscription Preferences Close Preferences
- - Opt in to email updates from Black Visions
  - Opt in to email updates from Cierra Brown

Black Visions Environmental Justice Fellow Application

ORGANIZATION

Black Visions is a Black-led, Queer and Trans centering organization whose mission is to organize powerful, connected Black communities and dismantle systems of violence. We believe in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.

DESCRIPTION

Black Visions is seeking youth participants (ages 18–22) for the Environmental Justice Fellow Program, a 10-week youth organizing fellowship designed to develop young leaders working at the intersection of environmental justice, community safety, and community organizing.

This fellowship centers environmental justice through the lens of public safety, collective care, and community power. Fellows will explore how healthy environments, clean air, green space, safe housing, and community connection are essential to building safe and thriving neighborhoods.

Through leadership development, organizing training, and hands-on community engagement, fellows will build the skills needed to mobilize their communities and support grassroots solutions to environmental challenges impacting communities.

The program is grounded in community organizing principles and abolitionist frameworks, exploring how communities create safety through prevention, care, and collective responsibility.

Throughout the fellowship, participants will build relationships, learn organizing skills, and lead community-based activities that strengthen environmental awareness and community relationships

FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE

Participants will:

Learn the foundations and history of environmental justice
Explore environmental justice through the lens of community safety
Learn about abolitionist frameworks and community-led safety
Develop leadership and facilitation skills
Gain hands-on experience in community organizing and outreach
Learn strategies for building community power and relationships
Facilitate a community listening session or gathering
Collaborate with other youth leaders from across Minneapolis
Build skills in storytelling, narrative change, and community engagement
Participate in a final community learning or celebration event

Fellows will leave the program with practical organizing experience, leadership skills, and stronger connections to community organizing work.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

Program Length: Mid-April 2026 – End of June 2026 (10 weeks)

This is a contracted fellowship role paying $25 per hour.

Estimated Hours: 14-16 hours per week

Fellows will meet 2–3 times per week for workshops, organizing training, and community activities. Meetings will primarily take place during the afternoon or evening, with occasional community events that may occur on weekends.

Training sessions, workshops, and organizing activities will be scheduled based on the overall availability of participants.

COMPENSATION

Fellows will be compensated $25 per hour for their participation in fellowship activities.

Additional fellow supports include:

Cellphone & Transportation Stipend:
$400 per fellow (to support communication and travel to fellowship activities)

Wellness Stipend:
$200 per fellow (may be used for wellness supports such as therapy, fitness, massage, or other care needs)

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

Be between the ages of 18–22
Live in or have strong community ties to Minneapolis
Demonstrate interest in environmental justice, community leadership, and organizing
Commit to attending fellowship sessions and participating in organizing activities
Participate in a minimum of 14 hours per week of fellowship programming

Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and youth of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please complete the application questions below by:

Application Deadline: April 2, 2026

After applications are reviewed, selected candidates will be invited to participate in short virtual interviews.

CONTACT

For questions about the fellowship, please contact:

Cierra Brown
Environmental Justice Strategy Manager
cierrabrown@blackvisionsmn.org
651-356-3396

Form by

Cierra Brown

Minneapolis, Minnesota