Community Equity Program

Our program is open to applicants who are both early and seasoned in their political leadership journeys. At CEP, we are more interested in learning about your passions and commitment to activating change in community than popularity, degrees or accolades (though we're sure you worked hard for those as well!). Everyone has something to learn and share from/with one another and we welcome the unique experiences that each person brings with them to the program. In order to apply, applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older by September 1st, 2024
• Reside in the Twin Cities metro area (this program year will likely have some in-person sessions) - Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties
• Identify within a spectrum of racial/ethnic identities, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latine, Caribbean, Middle Eastern/North African, African, Bi/Multi-Ethnic, etc. This program is not open to folks who primarily identify as white/Caucasian; however, the Community Equity Crash Course is open to all.
• Have an interest and commitment to impacting state-level legislative policy in Minnesota
• Be committed and available to attend at least 90% of scheduled cohort meetings and program-related activities during the extent of the program (students are welcome to apply if they can guarantee their availability the ENTIRE program year)

• Develop skills and knowledge necessary for navigating and taking action during a legislative session including: legislative timelines, navigating the Capitol campus, reading/drafting bill language, coalition building, preparing and delivering testimonies, and more.
• Collectively Cultivate  a space to discuss the harsh realities of public policy work and its impact on BIPOC's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing individually/community-wide.
• Engage in an immersive experience by participating in legislative coalitions and supporting legislation that directly impacts BIPOC people and their respective communities.
• Build  meaningful relationships with a diverse learning community of leaders, who become resources, mentors, friends, allies and a network for your work.
• Connect with other BIPOC leaders outside the cohort who are passionate and knowledgeable about different topics and whose work takes on many different forms - legislative staff, community organizers, activists, journalists, elected officials, lobbyists, etc. 
• Examine and cultivate personal leadership through reflection and critical analysis of your experience navigating the legislative process.
• Share your knowledge from this program and help to engage others' in advocacy.

Cohort members should expect to spend about 20 hours per month on CEP-related activities.

• 9 months (September - May)
• 5-hour cohort educational sessions every other Friday from September-May
• 3-5 hours per month working with your paired advocacy coalition/organization
• 3-5 hours per month spent on individual assignments, group projects, time at the Capitol, etc. 
• Regular 1:1 technical assistance/support check-ins with staff (monthly)
• Mandatory All-Day Kickoff Retreat in September

• Learn about government structure and get immersed in the legislative process. 
  Observing the process on the ground is essential to understanding the Minnesota Legislature. Each participant will be tasked with completing a number of tasks in order to gain a deeper familiarity and comfort with the capitol including but not limited to: attending coalition meetings and bill hearings, tracking legislation and visiting lawmakers. CEP supports cohort member’s immersion experience through helping make strategic connections to lobbyists, coalitions and lawmakers.
• Explore advocacy, media and communications
• Discover storytelling in policy and advocacy
• Craft your legislative agenda
• Learn how to decentralize whiteness and center your authenticity in public policy spaces
• Build coalitions, prepare and deliver effective testimonies and utilize space for radical re-imagination