People in conversation

Community Dialogue Fellowship 2024

Essential Partners, with the Dispute Settlement Center and Interfaith Photovoice, invite you to join the Community Cornerstone initiative in the Triangle area (NC), an ambitious project to foster healing, understanding, belonging, and healthy engagement across differences.

The Community Dialogue Fellowship will equip 32 local leaders to transform the culture of the Triangle region, one institution at a time. Participating fellows will be empowered to build connection, trust, and understanding in the spaces where they work, teach, or volunteer. By improving the way people engage one another in these influential spaces, fellows will catalyze a shift in the larger community—away from entrenched conflict and polarization, toward collaboration and connection.

The fellowship will begin with a series of three trainings led by Essential Partners, the Dispute Settlement Center, and Interfaith Photovoice. Fellows have the option to choose between the following sets of training dates, which will be held in person in Chapel Hill, NC:

  • A four-day summer intensive July 23-26, 2024
  • A series of fall workshops held September 27, Oct 21–22, and Nov 21–22, 2024

Applicants must be available to attend either the summer intensive or all three fall workshop dates, which again will be held in person in Chapel Hill, NC.

Over the subsequent nine months—Fall 2024 through Spring 2025—fellows will receive coaching from experts and collaborate with their cohort of fellows to improve the way area residents engage with one another across differences of identities, perspectives, and values. 

By integrating constructive practices into the cultures of their institutions and communities, this cohort of fellows will help make healthier communication across differences a regular facet of community life across the Triangle region.

Applications for the fellowship will be accepted on a rolling basis through June 14, 2024 and can be submitted via the form embedded below. Selected fellows will be notified no later than June 28, 2024. Appropriate candidates include:

  • business, foundation, and nonprofit leaders
  • elected officials, civil servants, and public safety professionals
  • educators and school officials
  • community organizers
  • faith leaders

Complete the application form below to be considered for this exciting community-building opportunity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, June 14, 2024. Selected fellows will be notified no later than June 28, 2024.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED