Today’s challenges require leadership that can bridge the divides in our society. Now more than ever, we must all act in big and small ways to address structural inequities and help people heal from the effects of racism. What’s needed are compassionate and capable leaders in and from our communities.
80
Diverse
Fellows
18
Months
Training,
Coaching,
Culminating Project
1,700
Alumni
Transformative
Change in
Communities
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) Community Leadership Network at the Center for Creative Leadership is an innovative fellowship for local leaders to connect, grow and lead transformational change toward a more equitable society. The 18-month program offers hands-on training, personalized coaching and mentoring, and a practicum experience.
- Unite with a diverse group of leaders from across the country and learn from each other.
- Gain skills to engage varied voices and bring people together around solutions.
- Join a 1,700+ alumni network of resources and support to effect real change.
- Expand leadership skills for navigating differences and strengthening communities.
- Learn powerful ways to advance racial equity and racial healing.
- Emerge with a stronger self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
- Put new knowledge and skills into action through a three-month, place-based culminating project.
- Become a champion for children and families to advance equitable policies and practices.
- Get fully equipped to lead transformational change in communities.
5 All-Class Sessions
5 All-Class SessionsIn these core sessions, fellows build self-mastery, deepen understanding of racism and equity, and gain knowledge and skills relevant to community engagement and leading in place.
5 Community Cohort Convenings
5 Community Cohort ConveningsBetween All-Class Sessions, fellows participate in a smaller community cohort, where they go deeper on issues specific to their communities and begin to develop a collaborative, place-based Community Leadership Project.
8 Professional Coaching Sessions
8 Professional Coaching SessionsEach fellow is paired with one of the Center for Creative Leadership’s global cadre of executive coaches. One-on-one coaching sessions guide fellows in bringing class material to life on their leadership journey.
Community Leadership Project
Community Leadership ProjectCommunity cohorts collaboratively develop a place-based, culminating project drawing on what they’ve learned. The last three months of the program focus on its implementation and working collectively to create transformational change in local communities.
All-Class Closing Ceremony
All-Class Closing CeremonyIn August 2020, fellows reconvene to celebrate the successes of their Community Leadership Projects and their transformational journey throughout the fellowship and beyond.
Is the Community Leadership Network program right for you?
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“This fellowship really opened me up to understanding that it’s not just about serving our local population but about championing racial equity and changing systems in place.”
— Class One Fellow
WKKF Community Leadership Network fellows are:
- Community-minded leaders who want to apply their talents to foster a more equitable future for all.
- At a pivotal moment in their careers to benefit from this type of leadership development program and network.
- Representative of a range of disciplines, bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to the fellowship class.
- Fueled by learning meaningful ways to engage communities and forge relationships across cultures, sectors and interests to advance solutions.
- Intentional about racial equity and racial healing to create transformational change in communities.
- Eager to connect with an extensive network of 1,700+ alumni working to effect systemic change.
“This program enhanced my skills … and raised me to a whole new level of being an effective leader.”
— Class One Fellow
What is the WKKF Community Leadership Network fellowship?
The WKKF Community Leadership Network is an 18-month fellowship program for local leaders to connect, grow and lead transformational change on behalf of children, families and communities. Programming and benefits include:
- Knowledge- and skill-building trainings focused on leadership, racial equity and racial healing, community engagement and networking, and leading in place.
- Five, multi-day gatherings, and a series of other engaged learning opportunities facilitated by the Center for Creative Leadership, WKKF and other partners. Travel expenses, lodging, and meals connected to these events and other meetings are paid by the program.
- Individualized coaching to guide personal and professional development and help fellows get the most out of the program.
- A three-month, place-based culminating project experience to apply new knowledge and skills in developing a strategic plan and leading collaborative action in communities.
- Connection with a community of leaders – both within the fellowship class of 60 and with an extensive network of 1,700+ alumni – all working to advance equity.
- A stipend of $25,000 (taxable) and an opportunity to participate in an international summit with the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) network.
What is the time commitment?
The WKKF Community Leadership Network Class Two will run from March 2019 through August 2020. Specific time commitments include:
- Participating in five, multi-day gatherings, plus a two-day closing. (Meetings will rotate to different locations around the U.S.)
- Devoting four to 12 hours each month to additional training, cohort meetings and/or individual work with a coach.
- Collaboratively leading a place-based culminating project that builds throughout the program and is fully executed in the last three months, putting new knowledge and skills into action.
- Being part of and contributing to fostering a supportive, collaborative fellowship community throughout the program.
- Documenting and communicating about your fellowship experience quarterly to extend the learning and impact with broader audiences.
- Collaborating with CCL and WKKF to help shape current class programming, as well as evaluating and providing input for future classes.
What are the eligibility criteria?
We’re looking to recruit a diverse class of fellows who are:
- Passionate about improving opportunities for children, families and communities.
- At a pivotal moment in their careers to benefit from this type of leadership development and network program.
- Intentional about deepening their understanding of racial equity and racial healing to create transformational change in communities.
- Representative of a broad range of disciplines, such as academia, business, faith, government, nonprofit or philanthropy.
- Experienced or interested in early childhood education, health, food systems, workforce development, family economic security, racial equity or other fields that advance children’s well-being.
- Based in one of WKKF’s priority communities of Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans, or nationally.
- Have basic knowledge of and access to a personal computer with Office systems, email and Internet.
Is there an age requirement?
We’re looking for candidates who have high potential to be a transformational leader, and are at a pivotal moment in their careers to benefit from this type of leadership development program and network. Candidates must have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
Do I need to live in a particular place?
Class Two will be made up of four cohorts from WKKF’s priority communities of Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans, as well as one national cohort.
Is this program nonpartisan?
Yes. The Center for Creative Leadership and W.K. Kellogg Foundation are non-partisan, non-political organizations. A key focus of the WKKF Community Leadership Network program is for fellows to learn how to navigate differences and bring people together toward solutions. We’re looking for fellows with diverse political perspectives, but a shared passion for advancing the well-being of children, families and communities.
Are elected officials able to participate in the program?
Yes. Elected officials will gain critical knowledge and skills to address today’s governance challenges and lead transformational change in communities. The WKKF Community Leadership Network program is for all types of leaders – providing opportunities to understand the embedded racism in our systems and structures, and to learn practical approaches for engaging and bringing communities together toward solutions.
How do I apply?
We’re currently recruiting for Class Two of the WKKF Community Leadership Network fellowship, which will run from March 2019 through August 2020. The class of 80 fellows will represent four cohorts from WKKF’s priority places of Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans, as well as one national cohort.
Applications will be accepted Sept. 5 to Sept. 30, 2018 via our online portal, which will be accessible on this website once the application period opens.
What are the program costs?
Neither the fellows nor their employers pay fees to participate. The primary investment you’ll be making is in time. Travel expenses, lodging, and meals connected to events and meetings will be covered by the program. Fellows receive a stipend of $25,000 (considered taxable income by the IRS) and an opportunity to participate in an international summit with the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) network.
What is the 1,700+ alumni network?
The alumni network is the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA), which was started in 2002 by past fellows to support ongoing learning, connection and collective action. KFLA includes fellows from 15 different Kellogg Foundation leadership programs and spans continents, languages and sectors. KFLA provides resources, best practices and news, as well as hosts webinars, interactive roundtables and events for learning and collaboration. WKKF Community Leadership Network fellows will have the opportunity to draw on these resources while in the program and afterwards.
Why did the foundation establish the WKKF Community Leadership Network?
At the Kellogg Foundation, we believe people have the inherent capacity to solve their own problems and, for more than 90 years, we have invested in nurturing local leaders to engage communities in improving opportunity for children and families. The WKKF Community Leadership Network is a continuation of the Kellogg Foundation’s commitment to support local leaders and foster collaborative action toward a more equitable society.
As a world-class leadership development program, the WKKF Community Leadership Network will equip the next generation of leaders to bridge the divides in our society and build a more equitable future for all.
How did the Center for Creative Leadership get involved?
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) has been a partner with the Kellogg Foundation for many years, supporting the leadership development of foundation staff. With support from the Kellogg Foundation, CCL – one of the most transformational leadership organizations in the world – is now offering Class Two of the WKKF Community Leadership Network. CCL leverages nearly 50 years of leadership development experience in service to positively transforming the way leaders and organizations confront the difficult challenges of our time. CCL’s programs incorporate their proven, cutting-edge leadership research, while engaging each individuals’ priorities and goals. Their participants receive the tools to rise above the limitations and challenges that get in the way of creating meaningful and systemic organizational and social change.
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) seeks to advance the understanding, practice and development of leadership for the benefit of society across the globe. A top ranking executive education firm worldwide, CCL brings nearly 50 years of experience, research and best practice to connect the challenges leaders face with the essential skills they need to be successful. Since 1970, CCL has helped transform more than 500,000 leaders and 3,000 organizations in 160 countries. CCL manages the WKKF Community Leadership Network as a grantee of the Kellogg Foundation.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
