Leadership Lab: Neighborhood Heroes Cohort 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in applying to Leadership Lab: Neighborhood Heroes!
This page contains important information to help guide you through the application process.
We want to support all applicants, particularly those living with disabilities or learning differences, throughout this process. Please tell us how we can better support you and thank you for allowing us to learn from you by emailing luisana@radicalpartners.net.
We look forward to getting to know more about you, your work, and how we can all support your work through the application process.
What does BIPOC mean and how do I know if I am a part of that community?
BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Belonging to this community is up to the individual applicant.
When you say you are looking for social justice and racial equity leaders, who exactly are you looking for?
Simply put, we are searching for BIPOC leaders creating access to opportunity and chance through action in their own communities. They are solving their communities' most pressing problems with the goal of achieving social justice and/or racial equity. We recognize that these terms have various definitions and as a result we have chosen the definitions used by national leaders to determine if an organization/initiative truly is doing social justice or racial equity work.
The definitions we are employing are:
Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Source: National Association of Social Work, Code of Ethics.
Racial equity is both an outcome and a process. As an outcome, we achieve racial equity when race no longer determines one's socioeconomic outcomes; when everyone has what they need to thrive, no matter where they live. As a process, we apply racial equity when those most impacted by structural racial inequity are meaningfully involved in the creation and implementation of the institutional policies and practices that impact their lives. Source: Race Forward.
Where can I apply?
You can apply by visiting this link.
When is the application deadline?
Applications will be available from May 31st, 2023 to June 18th, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Can I see all of the questions prior to starting the application?
Absolutely! We have gathered all of the application questions into this document. Applications cannot be revised once submitted, so we recommend drafting answers to your questions in a word document first, then copying and pasting answers once you are ready to submit (this will help make sure your hard work isn’t lost).
How much does this program cost?
This program will be absolutely free for all participants! Breakfast and lunch will be included, the days of in-person gatherings and transportation costs can be covered if needed; however, we ask leaders to donate what they can and pay it forward when Give Miami Day comes around.
Phase 1: Application
The application window is open from May 31st, 2023 to June 18th, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Once the application window is closed, we will review your application. We will communicate with all applicants via email the first week of July to share the results of the pre-selection process.
Phase 2: In Person/Virtual Interviews
Interviews will take place in person and virtually on July 18th, and July 19th by a diverse group of local changemakers looking to get to know you better. We will inform all applicants about the final results of the selection process in the last week of July.
Phase 3: Welcome to the Leadership Lab
If selected into this year’s cohort, your first engagement will be Saturday, August 12th, 2023 from 4-6 PM. We ask that you already reserve this date in your calendar!
Why are you including a video option in your application?
We want to ensure that we are incorporating more modalities in our application process. The BIPOC leaders we know are culturally storytellers. As a result, we have added a video segment to create the space for you to shine if you choose to do so.
Can I choose to not include a video and answer in written form?
Yes. You have the choice to provide your answers in written form or video form, however you feel more comfortable to tell your story.
What question(s) require a video response?
You can have access to the entire application here. The questions that can be answered via video would replace the written responses.
What should my videos look like? What are you expecting?
Come as you are! No need to edit the video as this is not a test of your video production skills. We just want to learn more about you and your work.
Are the video responses live or can I pre-record them?
You will only have the option to upload your videos into the application. This means you must pre-record them and then upload them to the application.
How many videos are needed for this application? Are there time limits? Are there size restrictions?
You will need to submit a total of one video for this application and it must be no longer than 8 minutes. We ask that you upload your video online (Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox etc) and provide us with the URL link in your application.
How do I format my video? Can I record from my own device (phone, tablet, laptop)?
You must pre-record your responses as an .mp4 or .mov file on your phone or desktop before uploading to the application when prompted. If you are using a tablet/iPad, we suggest checking what format your video saves as before committing to using that device.
How do I upload my video?
We ask that you upload your video online (Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox etc) and provide us with the URL link in your application.
What would I get out of this program?
We invest in grassroots leaders by providing them with tools, skills, and access to take their community solutions to the next level. Our programming focuses on the following elements:
Professional Development to strategize your hustle:
Sessions focused on theory of change, fundraising, and even time management to help you hustle with intention.
Personal Development to invest in yourself:
Sessions focused on physical and mental health, Miami’s history(ies), owning your identity, and stepping into your power.
Systems Level Mindset to understand your role in the ecosystem:
Sessions and culture building activities focused on systems level change and our role as a collective to reach equity in our region.
Access to decision-makers to open up pathways of opportunity:
Curated experiences where you get to meet powerful leaders throughout the South Florida non-profit, for profit, and political ecosystem that will build and strengthen your network.
Nailing the Pitch to tell your story:
Sessions throughout the program are designed to help leaders develop and deliver an impactful pitch to anyone at any time.
A network of 140+ social impact leaders and ongoing support:
Once completed, you will be part of our RP Alumni and receive ongoing support like one-on-one coaching, roundtables, visibility opportunities, and access to the whole alumni network of 140+ social impact leaders.
What does the time commitment look like for the leader?
Leadership Lab is a 5-month-long leadership development program that requires preparation and follow-up work throughout the entire process (from August to December).
The program consists of SIX full-day in-person learning labs (breakfast and lunch will be provided) happening on Saturdays and FOUR to FIVE 1-hour one-on-one coaching sessions (taking place at a time to be coordinated with a coach).
In addition to FOUR hours of other engagements, including kick-off, Dinner with Decision Makers and closing gathering.
We want to make sure that all of our applicants are fully committed and available for each and every session. Before applying, please make sure that you are available to attend every single event so that you can be sure to make the most of your experience.
What are the key dates?
What if I don’t finish the program?
We seek applicants who can attend ALL engagements and coaching sessions as scheduled individually. With the amount of work being done in each session, we understand that many leaders need more time. That is why we have built in a week break between each of the labs. We encourage leaders to use those days in between sessions to finalize their work.
Don't wait until the last minute to start your application: Be sure to draft, proofread, and revise. Working on the application in advance will also help you avoid any unforeseen technical issues. We highly recommend downloading the application questions from our website to draft your responses prior to submitting online.
Be specific: Our most successful applications are extremely specific and clear. When in doubt, more specific answers and anecdotes are more illustrative than generalizations and clichés.
Be straightforward: Avoid industry-specific jargon and terminology in your responses. Assume that the reader of your application may not have content-specific knowledge. Keep things simple.
Longer isn't better. Be clear and to the point when communicating your message. We provide word limits for many of the questions but it is not required to fill the word count.
Have fun while you’re at it. Keep in mind that several social innovators will be reading your application. Use it as an opportunity to remember why you do what you do and for the readers to fall in love with your work.
Follow Radical Partners on social media. Come get familiarized with our work culture and get inspired by the work of our 140+ alums.
If any unanswered questions remain, feel free to reach out to Luisana Zambrano, program lead at luisana@radicalpartners.net directly.