CLASS OF 2026 Application is Now OPEN
Deadline to apply is
April 30, 2025
Community Leadership fellows is not a program, we are a set of principles.
Ideal Community Leadership Fellows candidates are highly respected in their communities with the potential to guide improvements for the Westside of Chicago within the next five to ten years. CLF intentionally seeks exceptional leaders who reflect the rich history of communities on the Westside.
Selection Process
Fellows are chosen from private, nonprofit, and public sectors that directly impact the Westside of Chicago to create a cohort of 15 leaders.
- Candidates should demonstrate that a longtime, substantial, and significant portion of their personal growth took place as resident of one of the 6 Westside communities of Austin, East & West Garfield Park, Little Village, North Lawndale, or West Humboldt Park. Candidates who currently reside in a Westside neighborhood will be prioritized.
- Candidates must volunteer or work for a community organization, advocacy group, or public agency that serves the Westside of Chicago.
- Candidates must be active in the community with a strong positive reputation for civic engagement.
In the first stage of the selection process, submitted applications will be reviewed by the Community Leadership Fellows selection committee to choose candidates to advance to the interview round.Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted to confirm commitment to full participation in scheduled activities.
Final interviews will take place in a group interview format called a “Street Cred Check”.Interviews will be conducted by a sub-group of the Community Leadership Fellows selection committee virtually. Interviews are expected to be approximately 60 minutes. Interviews will include the candidate and 4 to 6 members of the candidate’s circle of influence as selected by the candidate. Examples of group members include mentors, mentees, program participants, supervisors, colleagues, and community residents.- Candidates selected for interviews will be notified in May, 2025. Interviews will take place in May through June 2025.
If selected, each participant will work with Community Leadership Fellows to complete a Memorandum of Understanding with employer (if applicable) to ensure fellow can meet the expectations including full participation at sessions, programs, and events. Candidates are notified about decisions in late June, 2025.
Welcome Ceremony: August 4, 2025
Global Leadership Summit: August 6-8, 2025
Full Day Learning sessions: Every second Friday of each month, 9am-3pm beginning September 12 (2025 dates: 10/10, 11/14 and 12/12; 2026 dates: 1/9, 2/13, 3/13)
Workshops: Every third Wednesday of each month, 6pm-9pm beginning September 17 (2025 dates: 10/15, 11/19 and 12/17; 2026 dates: 1/21, 2/11*, 3/18, )
Graduation: June 24 2026
Apply now
written submission
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Take this path to submit video responses to the short answer essay questions