The Nexus Fellowship

Transforming Leadership for Equity-Driven Change

The Nexus Fellowship is a transformative leadership development program designed to build the knowledge, skills, and community necessary for social change leaders to advance equity, justice, and systemic transformation.

Through immersive learning, expert coaching, and cross-sector collaboration, the Fellowship empowers leaders to challenge inequitable systems, foster inclusive cultures, and implement equity-driven strategies that create lasting impact in their organizations and communities.

Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2025.

“Through the Nexus Fellowship, I realized the potential I had to transform school systems and cultivate agentic environments for adults. I wasn’t afraid to take risks, like having difficult conversations about creating change for kids and communities.”

- RYAN MANDADO, DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach, Public Charter School

Why the Nexus Fellowship?

Across industries, inequities persist in policies, practices, and workplace cultures. The Nexus Fellowship is a catalytic program that provides senior leaders with the highest-leverage tools to embed equity, justice, and liberation into the fabric of their work.

Unlike traditional leadership programs, Nexus goes beyond theory and immerses fellows in real-world learning through place-based retreats, expert coaching, and hands-on application. By connecting changemakers across PK-12 education, child welfare, juvenile justice, public health, housing, and more, Nexus creates a powerful network of action-oriented leaders committed to systemic transformation.

The Nexus Fellowship is built on the belief that equity-driven leadership requires more than just good intentions—it demands deep reflection, strategic action, and sustained collaboration.

Our approach is grounded in:

Our Approach

Liberatory Leadership Development

True leadership demands more than navigating existing structures. It  also requires the courage to challenge and transform them. 

Nexus Fellows engage in a learning experience that deepens their ability to lead with an anti-racist, equity-centered focus. Through expert coaching, applied practice, and deep reflection, they develop the skills to disrupt traditional power dynamics, redistribute power, and drive systemic change, not just within organizations, but across communities and movements.

EquityXDesign Framework & Systems Change

Challenging the status quo requires more than recognizing inequities. It demands bold ideas, strategic action, and a commitment to redesigning systems for justice. The Nexus Fellowship introduces Fellows to EquityXDesign, a framework that integrates design thinking with racial equity principles to drive meaningful change.

Through this process, Fellows gain practical tools to disrupt inequitable policies, reimagine structures, and create inclusive solutions that advance equity across communities and sectors.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Real change happens at the intersections of industries and experiences. The Nexus Fellowship cultivates a dynamic, action-oriented space where leaders don’t just exchange ideas; they co-create solutions, disrupt inequitable systems, and build lasting partnerships that extend far beyond the program.

By investing in bold, equity-driven leaders, Nexus doesn’t just shape individuals, it amplifies systemic change across sectors and communities, and ensure that the impact of liberatory leadership reverberates far and wide.

Immersive, Place-Based Learning

Transformative leadership starts with a deep understanding of the past. 

Through in-person retreats in historically significant U.S. cities, Fellows explore the roots of systemic inequities while engaging with the communities that have fought for justice.

 These immersive experiences provide a powerful foundation for racial equity, movement-building, and systemic transformation, equipping leaders with the historical awareness and lived insights needed to shape a more just future.

Community & Collective Impact

Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. The Nexus Fellowship fosters a strong, supportive community where Fellows connect with peers, mentors, and facilitators who share a deep commitment to equity. 

This network goes beyond the program, and provides lifelong collaboration, shared wisdom, and collective strength to drive lasting change. Fellows leave not just with new insights, but with allies, advocates, and partners in the ongoing pursuit of justice.

“The Nexus Fellowship was a transformative experience. Not only do you leave connected to a cohort of brave leaders, but you learn how to create brave, humanizing spaces in your own organization.” - CHONG-HAO FU, Chief Executive Officer, Leading Educators

Fellowship Experience

The Nexus Fellowship is a transformative, eight-month journey designed for visionary leaders committed to equity and justice. Fellows engage in a blended learning model that includes:

  • Two immersive, in-person retreats in historically significant locations to ground leadership in real-world racial equity contexts.

  • Six virtual sessions to sustain engagement, reflection, and applied learning.

  • Monthly one-on-one coaching with seasoned experts to provide personalized support and refine leadership strategies.

  • Practical application of equity principles, providing tools and strategies to implement real-world solutions.

  • Collaborative peer engagement, fostering a strong, national network of like-minded changemakers.

Fellows emerge from the program equipped with the tools, networks, and strategies to lead meaningful, equity-centered transformations within their organizations and communities.

The program has a tiered pricing structure based on organizational budget:

  • $20,000 – Organizations with budgets over $10M

  • $17,500 – Budgets between $4M–$9.9M

  • $15,000 – Budgets between $1M–$3.9M

  • $10,000 – Budgets under $999K or self-sponsored individuals

  • $7,500 -- School or solopreneur - single-site schools, solopreneurs or independent consultants

Travel and accommodations for in-person retreats are not included.

Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2025.

Nexus Fellows are leaders dedicated to advancing equity, justice, and systemic transformation. The Nexus Fellowship welcomes leaders from diverse professional backgrounds, including:

Who Are Our Fellows?

Education & Schools 

School administrators, educators, and policy advocates.

Housing & Food Justice

Leaders addressing access to stable housing and nutritious food.

Nonprofit & Community Leadership

Leaders driving social impact and systemic change.

Public Health & Child Welfare

Professionals in pediatric health, mental health, and child welfare services.

Juvenile Justice & Legal Advocacy 

Advocates and policymakers focused on equitable justice reform.

My Nexus experience was empowering because it was within me. I just needed the space to get unlocked…. I knew the vision I had, I knew who I was. It made me wonder what else is in my brain that I’m not allowing to come to the surface?”

-RYAN MANDADO, DreamHouse 'Ewa Beach, Public Charter School

Impact & Outcomes

The TEL Nexus Fellowship was designed to be a catalyst for leadership. Our impact includes:

connect changes to policies or practices at their organization to their participation in the Fellowship.

94% of Nexus Alumni

have connected with other alumni in some way since they finished the program.

89% of Nexus Alumni

connect shifts in workplace culture at their organization to their participation in the fellowship.

52% of alumni

Our Fellows have:

Used equity-focused strategies to inform policies and improve inclusion efforts.

  • Applied anti-racist leadership principles to address disparities in their fields.

  • Strengthened leadership skills to navigate challenges and drive meaningful change.

  • Explored the EquityXDesign process to bring an equity lens to decision-making.

  • Took steps to embed equity into their organizations' daily practices.

  • Built valuable connections with a national network of leaders working toward change.

Are you ready to be part of the next wave of transformational education leaders?

Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2025.

The Nexus Fellowship is a transformative program by The Equity Lab, designed for senior social change leaders dedicated to building and sustaining equitable, anti-racist workplaces. This fellowship equips leaders with high-impact tools to drive systemic transformation, ensuring that all youth can thrive.

Each year, a select group of fellows representing diverse fields—education, healthcare, food justice, housing, child welfare, and more—join a national coalition of equity-driven organizations. Through expert training, coaching, and an immersive curriculum, fellows develop the adaptive and technical leadership skills needed to create lasting change.

The Nexus Fellowship is made possible through the commitment of The Equity Lab and its network of mission-aligned organizations. Contact us to explore underwriting opportunities for the Nexus Fellowship and invest in equity-driven leadership and systemic change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Information

  • Contact us to explore underwriting opportunities for the Nexus Fellowship and invest in equity-driven leadership and systemic change: www.theequitylab.org/contact

  • The Nexus Fellowship is a cohort-based program designed for senior social change leaders committed to advancing equity and justice for youth and families.

  • A senior leader passionate about equity, justice, and systemic change, with the authority to shape policies and culture within their organization.

  • It is The Equity Lab’s only cohort-based fellowship that brings together leaders from different organizations across the country.

  • Fellows develop leadership skills, deepen their understanding of equity, and gain tools to create systemic change in their organizations and communities.

Experience

  • Retreats include immersive learning, leadership workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to engage with local equity-focused organizations.

  • The Fellowship runs from October 2025 to June 2026 and includes:

    • Two in-person retreats (one in October 2025 and one in June 2026)

    • Six virtual sessions (two days each)

    • Monthly coaching and resource engagement

    • Opening retreat (October 20-24, 2025): location TBA

    • Closing summit (June 1-5, 2026): location TBA

    Past in-person sessions have taken place in cities like Baltimore, MD, Montgomery, AL, New Orleans, LA Philadelphia, PA, Tulsa, OK, and Washington, DC.

  • Sessions include immersive learning, leadership workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to engage with local equity-focused organizations.

  • Virtual sessions include interactive workshops, expert-led discussions, and action planning to support leadership growth and systemic change.

  • Full participation is required. Fellows must attend all scheduled sessions to complete the program.

  • Alumni gain access to a national network of equity-driven leaders, continued resource-sharing, and ongoing opportunities for collaboration.

Cost & Application

  • The program has a tiered pricing structure based on organizational budget:

    • $20,000 – Organizations with budgets over $10M

    • $17,500 – Budgets between $4M–$9.9M

    • $15,000 – Budgets between $1M–$3.9M

    • $10,000 – Budgets under $999K or self-sponsored individuals

    • $7,500 -- School or solopreneur - single-site schools, solopreneurs or independent consultants

    Travel and accommodations for in-person retreats are not included.

  • No. The Fellowship is open to leaders in any sector impacting youth and families, including education, healthcare, housing, food justice, and juvenile justice.

    • Must have organizational sponsorship (both financial and professional)

    • Must be able to attend all required sessions

    • Must have periodic access to senior leadership in their organization

  • References help assess your commitment to equity, while a sponsor ensures your organization is prepared to support the changes you will lead.

  • If your job situation changes, email nexus@theequitylab.org to discuss your participation.

  • Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2025.