Leadership Development
In order to build the power of our community we have to build the leadership, political consciousness, and organizing skills of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth of color in New York City. FIERCE does this through our Education for Liberation Project (ELP).
ELP is a paid leadership development program which provides comprehensive community organizing, political education, and anti-oppression trainings to new and active members of FIERCE. ELP combines interactive workshops and practical hands-on experience in organizing. Ultimately, ELP strives to help develop a new generation of community organizers dedicated to social justice work in historically underserved communities. This unique program provides a systematic way for LGBTQ youth to gather the self-esteem, skills, and knowledge required to effectively advocate to transform institutions that impact their lives.
Click HERE to download FIERCE's leadership development model.
To date, FIERCE has intensively trained over 250 LGBTQ youth of color leaders through ELP, many of whom have gone on to be leaders and organizers in other social justice organizations across the country.
The 2010 ELP schedule:
- ELP1 (Feb 16th - March 11th & April 13 - May 6th)
- ELP2 (July- August)
- ELP3 (September - December)
APPLY FOR ELP1 2010:
FIERCE is now accepting applications for our first 2010 cycle of ELP1. The application deadline is March 26th. Click HERE for an application.
You must identify as an Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, or Queer youth of color between the ages of 13-23 to be eligible for the program. This program is open to new and current members of FIERCE. If you are not already a member, please fill out a membership form and send that in along with your application.
If you have any questions or would like more info on ELP, please contact Emerson Brisbon.