Applications for the Kanada Fellowship’s 2nd Cohort is now open!

Please click the button below to apply for this year’s Kanada Fellowship application.

About The Fellowship

Vision

We believe in the power of grassroots leadership, but know that too often these brilliant leaders do not get a seat at the table. Through the power of development, support, and affirmation, we aim to create a more equitable and community-representative pool of talent by investing in the growth of historically marginalized leaders. The Kanada Fellowship identifies industry and community leaders and provides them with the tools to scale equitable change for our communities.

Mission

The Kanada Fellowship empowers professionals from Metro Detroit to become strategic leaders at work and in their communities by providing them with the tools needed to enact even greater change.

Through a six-month initial fellowship experience, participants gain development and support that helps them envision, chart out, and act on their next level of service, leadership, and impact. In addition, fellows are affirmed through connections with other grassroots leaders who are serving, leading, and thriving - locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The Legacy of James Kanada

James Kanada, the “First Black Frontiersman,” escaped slavery in Mississippi and settled in Detroit. In 1865, Kanada formed a settlement near what is now Puritan Avenue and was the lone black frontiersman in the area. Though he faced discrimination and sabotage from his neighbors, Kanada persevered and grew his farm from 15 acres to 25 acres by 1880. Kanada maintained his farm until his death from tuberculosis in 1885.

The Kanada Fellowship celebrates the legacy of James Kanada--a pioneer--and lifts up the resiliency, tenacity, innovation, and leadership capacity that he exemplified throughout his lifetime. This same spirit can be found in those who continue to be marginalized today through evolved systems.

Meet the 2021 Fellows

From education and youth development to the culinary arts, the 2021 Kanada Fellows bring a wide range of backgrounds and skillsets to their cohort experience. Each fellow is deeply committed to leading community- and equity-driven work within their professional space while also learning and collaborating across sectors.

Fellowship Experience

The Kanada Fellowship experience will emphasize support across three core areas:

Through monthly intensive sessions, fellows will engage in development activities and connect with other leaders from across Metro Detroit. Each fellow will also be provided with a one-on-one coach and an opportunity to apply for a grant at the conclusion of the fellowship.

Additional curriculum content will include:

• Value and Goal-Setting: Personal and professional milestones creation activities that ensure alignment with internal beliefs and values.

• Professional Development Planning: Connecting and engaging with effective development resources that help grow organizational leadership and management abilities.

• Self-Awareness: Internal reflections to help identify current strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.

• Storytelling: Personal and organizational story-building exercises focused on developing compelling narratives that tell the “what” and the “why” of your mission.

• Project Impact Visioning and Execution: Strategic mapping of future objectives along with the development of tangible steps that lead to completion.

STAY CONNECTED

Interested in being a part of next year’s Kanada Fellowship cohort? Subscribe to the SCP newsletter to stay connected with future opportunities and to be notified when applications for the 2022 cohort go live!

For additional questions and inquiries about the Kanada Fellowship, please contact info@strategiccommunitypartners.org.