The Memorial Foundation’s Global Impact Fellows Program builds upon the foundation we established in 2021 when we launched the Social Justice Fellows Program. This reimagined take on the development of emerging leaders leans even deeper into the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a global icon in the fight for equality, justice, and peace. Through a renewed commitment to broadening the base of socially conscious emerging leaders, connecting intergenerational cohorts of movement builders, and shifting advocacy efforts from protest the policy change, the Global Impact Fellows Program will engage young adult (ages 18-35) community leaders in a dynamic learning and personal development experience.
The Global Impact Fellows Program unites like-minded emerging leaders from across the nation who share an unwavering commitment to Democracy, Justice, Hope, and Love in the United States and abroad. Global Impact Fellows share an unwavering commitment to positive social change and embrace opportunities to advance social good through effective leadership. Additionally, Fellows are passionate, community-oriented leaders who believe in organizing and mobilization as keys to advancing transformational change in communities across the globe.
The curriculum for the Global Impact Fellows Program centers effective advocacy, public policy, community organizing, and shared learning to creatively leverage the unique experiences of each Fellow. Learning sessions are guided by some of the nation’s leading voices in the areas of human rights, politics, and social equality, as well as other luminaries who have made significant contributions to various social change movements in the United States and abroad. As a result of participating in this program, Fellows can expect to:
• build an intentional community of support with other community leaders across the nation;
• explore high impact practices that move communities from consumers of a movement into activism; and
• develop an understanding of leadership and advocacy for long-term, sustainable community change.
The Global Impact Fellows Program includes four interconnected phases that occur over a twelve-month period:
• Phase I – Virtual Lecture Series and Learning Workshops
• Phase II – Independent Learning Journey (Capstone Proposal)
• Phase III – Capstone Convening (in-person event)
• Phase IV – Capstone Implementation
Applications for the 2026 Global Impact Fellows Program will be available in mid-October. We welcome your interest in the program and encourage you to check this website and follow us @TheMemorialFoundation on Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or Facebook to remain connected with us.
2026 Program Outline
• October/November 2025: Applications Available
• December 2025: Application Review Period
• January 2026: Applicant Interviews Invitations
• February 2026: Cohort V Notifications & Virtual Orientation Sessions
• March – June 2026: Virtual Learning Sessions and Webinars
• July 2026: Capstone Convening (Washington, DC)
For more information about or questions concerning the Global Impact Fellows Program, please contact David Lewis, Senior Associate – Programs and Operations, at dlewis@thememorialfoundation.org.
The Fellows Program utilizes multiple learning approaches to engage Fellows in an intentional learning process that will equip them with skills and knowledge to enhance their leadership capacity.
These sessions are intended to enhance foundational knowledge, build skills, and encourage dialogue on current issues within social justice movements. Each session will be facilitated by a distinguished lecturer (or small panel of distinguished lecturers) who are nationally recognized voices in the causes and continued pursuit of social justice in America. Presentations from each lecturer may vary in length but these sessions will require an uninterrupted, designated three-hour commitment once per week. A full schedule of these sessions will be provided at the start of the program.
This self-guided experience will allow Fellows to deeply explore an area of personal interest as part of the program experience. Learning journeys are designed to encourage practical application of the knowledge gained through participation in the lecture sessions, as well as strengthen the opportunity for collaboration and thought partnership between Fellows. Fellows can expect to dedicate between two and three hours every week over the course of the eight-week program for this portion of the experience.
Guided by the knowledge gained in the lecture sessions and learning journeys, each Fellow will develop and share a proposal for building a movement on an issue impacting a local, regional, or national community. The Capstone Project will be presented after the conclusion of the structured portion of the Fellows Program. A full description of the Capstone Project and its requirements will be provided at the start of the program.
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Each Fellow who successfully completes the program will be invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to participate in a congressional visit specifically designed to provide space to engage with members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate on issues of social justice and public policy. Fellows will receive more information about this portion of the program at a later date.
The curriculum is organized using eight key themes:
Building Social Change Movements
Media Influence and Engagement
Lessons in Systemic Racism
Building a Plan for Public Office
The Power of Narrative & Storytelling Work
Self-Care in the Midst of the Movement
Politics and Social Movements
Managing Contradictions
Promote the principles and purpose for modern day social justice movements;
Develop emerging leaders to reinforce the growing pipeline of young adult leaders on the issues of equity and justice in America;
Provide a pathway to acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate local activism, public policy challenges, as well as legislative and congressional engagement;
Strengthen individual capacity for leading in community organizing, mobilizing, and narrative change; and
Build strong frameworks for assessing the effectiveness and efficacy of social justice movements.
