a cohort program for emerging leaders in Southern social justice organizations.
In person retreats, coaching, & online learning
join a growing network of smart, strategic, supportive, stubborn, and emerging southern social justice leaders. don’t miss out!
Ignite the South invites emerging leaders from social justice organizations to learn & forge connections.
It combines in-person retreats, individual coaching, and online learning over six months.
ITS Alumni are the core of a supportive and resourced cadre of leaders across the South.
multi-racial, multi- movement, & thoroughly unique
Hear more from ITS faculty and participants
what is ignite the south?
A LIBERATORY LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
Gain Self Awareness and cultivate a Defiant Vision
Learn how to build Resilient Structures
Adopt new Models of Leadership
A SOUTHERN CONTEXT
Expand awareness of Southern history and its legacy
Meet elders and activists in the cities where we meet
Hone strategies that work for the Southern context
LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
Forge new friendships and connections with amazing leaders across the South
Stay in relationship through active alumni programming
Maintain access to resources for training and development
6 months
3 Retreats
4 Webinars
6 Coaching Sessions
+ Alumni Program
Dani from Cohort 1
LaToya from Cohort 1
Apply to be a part of Ignite the South Cohort 4
Retreat 1: Richmond, Virginia September 17-19th “Connecting to our Legacy”
Retreat 2: New Orleans, Louisiana December 10-12th “Resistance & Resilience”
Retreat 3: Durham, North Carolina March 18-20th “Building Power to Win”
4 Webinars on topics such as Navigating Conflict, Giving & Receiving Feedback, Managing the Load, Leading Great Teams, & Fostering Accountability
6 individual coaching calls with Imagine Us coaches.
FAQ
Staff and leaders on the front arc of their careers who have substantial responsibility in social, racial, and economic justice organizations in the South.
Who is it for?
What is the commitment?
Participants attend three 3-day off-sites; have 6 individual coaching sessions, & join in 4 online learning sessions.
Tuition is $500 for individuals; $1,000 for orgs under $.5M in budget; $2,000 for orgs under $2M and $3,000 over $2M budget. Scholarships are available.
What does it cost?
The cost of running the cohort program and Alumni network far exceeds the tuition. We receive financial support from four foundations as well as generous individual donors.
How is it funded?
HOME ORGANIZATION
FOUNDING PARTNER
Imagine Us is a multi-racial, multi-generational community of equity-based consultants and coaches. Imagine Us envisioned and birthed Ignite the South as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening social movements and the people who make them happen. Supporting emerging leaders in the South not only builds power, it pulls up forces of oppression from the roots. For many of us, the South has our heart. www.imagineus.co
Open Horizon is a Northern Virginia-based family foundation seeking to expand opportunities and increase equity. Engaging on the individual, community, and systems levels we work to enable equitable access to education, experience, and economic power. We are inspired by the potential of people to excel and make meaningful change when they have access to opportunity and support. www.open-horizon.org
We are also humbly grateful to the Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Freedom Together Foundation, as well as our organizational partners National Education Association and SEIU for their faith in this program. We also appreciate Possibility Labs for being our awesome and aligned fiscal sponsor.
Together we will ignite the South!