Equity Storytelling Fellowship: Spring 2024 Cohort

April 26 - June 7, 1:30 pm ET

Are you interested in issues related to equity, education and philanthropy? Would you like to interact with other values-aligned funders in a safe and creative space? Would you like to learn how to create, share, and learn from other storytellers? EdFunders is proud to sponsor the third storytelling fellowship in its commitment to explore how narrative can drive social impact. This year, EdFunders is offering two different cohorts to help you to harness the power of storytelling to explore the intersection of equity and philanthropy, with the spring cohort of the fellowship focused on writing. Want to learn more before registering? See the recording of the March 12 information session here.

Deadline extended! Register by April 19.

Stories enable us to share our visions of more equitable systems, and can serve to inspire others. Stories enable us to elevate complicated issues and ideas in engaging and compelling ways.

Spring storytelling fellows will:

1. Participate in a six-week virtual seminar to learn how to create compelling stories.
2. Explore their own history, lineage and identity as they relate to core values and work in philanthropy.
3. Engage in multi-modal learning through writing, with some integration of movement and theater to deepen storytelling.
4. Receive ongoing creative and practical support.
5. In groups, learn how to write a short theatrical play.
6. Have the plays performed over Zoom by professional actors.
7. Participate in community sharing and feedback with other fellows.
8. Reflect on key lessons learned about the process.
9. Reflect on cross-cutting themes and insights emerging from the collection of stories.
10. Plan how they can choose to take their storytelling work forward in their organizations and their larger communities.
11. Receive a certificate of completion.

The spring cohort runs for 6 weeks from April 26 to May 31 from 1:30-3:00 pm ET, with a culminating exhibition on June 7 from 1:30-3:00 pm ET. All sessions are virtual.

This event is exclusive to Grantmakers for Education members.

There is no cost to attend this Grantmakers for Education program. Registration closes 15 minutes prior to the program time. By registering for this program, you agree to our Learning Environment Commitment. Thank you for your patience; we review each registration in advance.

About the Speakers

Marc Chun
Senior Manager
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Marc is is currently a grantmaker at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and previously worked at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and The Overdeck Family Foundation, and supported work for Lucas Education Research and Grantmakers for Thriving Youth. He was also a learning experience designer at the Stanford d.school. He has extensive teaching and training experience, and has taught at Stanford University, Teachers College – Columbia University, The New School University, and Vanderbilt University. He is also a published playwright, with productions of his plays in New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

Jessica Mele
Principal
Jessica Mele Creative

Jessica Mele is a writer, educator, grantmaker and performer based in California. She is currently principal and founder at Jessica Mele Creative. Prior to that, she was a program officer in Performing Arts at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation where she managed a diverse portfolio of grants with a particular focus on arts education policy and advocacy. Before she made grants, Jessica was alternatively a nonprofit executive director, a union organizer and a higher education administrator. Jessica holds a B.A. in anthropology and French studies from Smith College and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.