Our Racial Equity Fellowship is a year-long program for emerging and experienced leaders with a deep commitment to racial equity — whether that’s in arts and media, community development, education, environment, food security, health care, housing, or other areas of expertise.

We have monthly sessions that are in person in Detroit and occasionally virtual. In these sessions, fellows:

1) build a shared understanding of racial equity with other Detroit-area leaders 

2) develop skills and tools needed to disrupt racism and create equitable alternatives

3) co-create a space to deepen relationships within a multiracial and multigenerational network of racial equity leaders

 What do we do? 

We develop leaders who work to end structural racism in Detroit. We are co-creating a multiracial and multigenerational network of racial equity leaders. We acknowledge that a significant and powerful network for racial equity exists in Detroit, with generations of rich experience. Our role is to equip leaders with tools to disrupt racism and create equitable alternatives together. 

Our Racial Equity Fellowship is a year-long program with monthly sessions that are in person in Detroit and occasionally virtual. In these sessions, we work on these three areas:

 What is our focus? 

Our program focuses on racial equity from a personal to structural lens. We believe that the transformation of movements is dependent on the transformation of the people in them. Everyone comes to our Racial Equity Fellowship as an expert of their own experiences. In these interconnected worlds, our role is in providing the tools to deepen our fellows' understanding and fortify their work. We recognize that co-liberation toward racial equity is as much about our personal journeys as it is about addressing oppressive systems. With that understanding, we encourage all of our fellows to find and connect to liberation ancestors, as a means of personal and movement transformation.

 What is our impact? 

With a focus on lifting others to dismantle structural racism, we are discovering a new way to transform hearts and minds in Detroit and beyond. We are developing a national blueprint in Detroit designed to empower local communities to fight structural racism from the ground up. We are shifting our fellows’ baseline understanding of racial equity and supporting their journey toward co-liberation. Our fellows can discover more about themselves, Detroit, and the deep history of structural racism — while reflecting on leadership and the power that comes from close collaboration. 

Learn More: Stories, Video, and FAQs

Racial Equity Fellowship: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I apply? 

• The application for the 2026 cohort (a.k.a. DEAL 10) is closed.

Who can apply? 

• We welcome emerging and experienced leaders with a deep commitment to racial equity, from all of Detroit's ethnic and racial groups, gender identities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

• We welcome applicants working/volunteering for groups and organizations (or as individuals) in a wide variety of sectors and various levels of budgets and experience, from volunteer-based organizations to non-profits and beyond. 

• We accept applicants who live in Detroit or Metropolitan Detroit.

• We accept applicants whose work or volunteerism directly impacts Detroit.

• We accept applicants 18 years or older.

What do we mean by racial equity work?

• We define racial equity work broadly. This work can occur out front, in the middle, and in the background. We value all types of racial equity work, seen and unseen. If you have meaningfully supported or participated in ending structural racism in any way, you have done racial equity work.

What do we mean by racial equity leadership? 

• We welcome emerging and experienced leaders. Leadership is not a title and can be formal and informal — a part of your work or volunteerism. You are a leader if you have led all or a part of a project, process, program, or initiative from the front, middle, or in the background.

Why should I apply?

• Participate in high-quality skills building with other Detroit-area racial equity leaders.

• Deepen relationships and join a multiracial and multigenerational network dedicated to ending structural racism in Detroit.

• Gain a better understanding of the historical context shaping Detroit's racial inequality.

• Learn and experiment with new techniques to address structural racism.

• Develop the skills needed to affect meaningful change, to disrupt beliefs and influence public policy on racial equity.

• Engage in strategy sessions and plan joint action.

• Work together to define a vision for moving Detroit toward greater racial equity.

When is the application deadline?

• The application for the 2026 cohort (a.k.a. DEAL 10) is closed.

When does the fellowship begin?

• DEAL 10 begins with a two-day orientation on Jan. 8 and 9, 2026.

How long is the fellowship?

• It is a 12-month fellowship. 

Where does the fellowship take place?

• The 2026 cohort (a.k.a. DEAL 10) is a hybrid model, with monthly sessions that are in person in Detroit and occasionally virtual. Fellows will be notified of details in advance. 

When does the fellowship take place?

• Monthly mandatory sessions are on the second Thursdays of the month. Optional sessions are on the fourth Thursdays of the month. Any two-day sessions (including orientation) and are held on Thursdays and Fridays. In-person sessions are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Virtual sessions are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fellows will be notified of details in advance.

Am I expected to take the day off from work to attend the fellowship sessions?

• Our expectation is that your workplace or organization (if you are affiliated with one) is aware of your participation in the fellowship. We want employers to know that DEAL is a leadership development program and a professional development opportunity. Our hope is that they will support or "sponsor" your attendance and consider it a workday. We are happy to meet with employers upon request and introduce them to our Racial Equity Fellowship.

Who leads the fellowship?

• Our Racial Equity Fellowship is led by Fellowship Manager Rhiannon Chester-Bey. The fellowship curriculum and sessions are co-facilitated by the Design Team. You can see their bios here. Sessions also occasionally include guest presenters and facilitators.

How many fellows are in each cohort?

• A maximum of 30 fellows are accepted each year.

Is this a paid fellowship? 

• This is not a paid fellowship. 

Do I have to pay to participate? 

• No. DEAL is a free leadership development program. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate fellows with participation barriers like transportation, childcare, etc.

What are the fellowship's commitments?

• Commit to being present at the orientation and monthly full-day sessions. Fellows will be notified of details in advance. 

• Willingness to engage in reflection, self-assessment, and act for change on individual, organizational, and community levels.

• Commit to co-creating a culture of dialogue that supports difficult conversations about racism and accountability.

• Willingness to learn and experiment with new skills and collaborate with other DEAL fellows on racial equity projects beyond the fellowship year.

• Willingness to share your expertise, perspectives, and other resources to strengthen others in the network.

• Be open to engage in DEAL activities in between sessions and staying connected beyond the fellowship year.

• Take advantage of opportunities to build relationships with DEAL alumni.

• As a leadership development program, you will share and be open to receiving feedback.

Is there coursework?

• There are homework assignments after most sessions, relating to personal reflection. There is also a project that fellows complete in groups. Assignments require thought and effort; however, they are not labor intensive. 

Is attendance mandatory? 

• Yes, attendance is mandatory for the orientation and main sessions. Optional sessions are not mandatory. 

What if I am absent? 

• Fellows are allowed three excused absences. If four or more sessions are missed, you will be dismissed from the fellowship and encouraged to re-apply when you are able to fully participate.

What am I expected to do once the fellowship is complete?

• After the fellowship is complete, fellows join the alumni network. Alumni are invited to stay engaged via invitations to professional development opportunities, social gatherings, and collaborative lab projects.

How can I or my organization support the fellowship?

• Consider attendance at DEAL fellowship sessions as paid work time (if employed at a funded organization).

• Provide opportunities to share information and resources from the fellowship with others throughout the organization.

• Engage in an organizational self-assessment and transformation to experiment with and integrate lessons learned.

• Offer free or discounted space for in-person fellowship sessions.

• DEAL is grant-funded, so please consider making a donation. Contact Asandi Conner, DEAL's Director, at asandiconner@wayne.edu to donate.