Bryant Williams Environmental Justice Fellowship

Applications Open!

Apply by 11:59pm CT on June 2, 2024!

Who is Bryant Williams?

Bryant Williams

A beloved father, husband, mentor and Environmental Justice leader

Bryant Williams was a beloved father, husband and Environmental Justice leader from the southside of Chicago. Bryant was intentional about introducing people to one another, knowing the power of individual interconnectedness in building compassionate communities. Throughout his career Bryant was a dedicated mentor, inspiring us to think creatively about how we might use our talents and gifts collectively to pursue our vision of a better world. Bryant’s professional resume was robust, including roles in government, nonprofit leadership, and founding a sustainable deconstruction business. On top of it all, Bryant was a caring, courageous, eternally joyful and abundantly generous friend, father, mentor and community leader.

What is the purpose of the fellowship?

The Bryant Williams Environmental Justice Fellowship was launched in 2022 to honor and commemorate Bryant’s legacy and his efforts to support the emergence of new leaders in Chicago’s Environmental Justice (EJ) community. The Fellowship was designed and guided by a  steering committee of Bryant’s close friends and colleagues. The purpose of the one year paid Bryant Williams Environmental Justice Fellowship is to provide the fellow with a holistic and grounded experience working with and learning from a frontline EJ organization on the south and/or west sides of Chicago. The Fellowship strives to support individuals at the beginning of their journey into the environmental justice field. The fellowship offers placement at a Chicago EJ organization, robust professional development support, the cultivation of a support network and the opportunity to participate in activities intended to foster the fellow’s long term social justice impact, personal well being, community relationships and professional success.

Fellowship Goals

Goal 1: Honor and commemorate Bryant’s leadership in the Chicago Environmental Justice Network and commitment to EJ movement leadership development

Goal 2: Provide fellows with a supportive and holistic fellowship experience that can prepare the fellow for a full time position at a BIPOC-led EJ organization

Goal 3: Support ongoing EJ campaigns and build capacity of BIPOC-led EJ organizations on the south and/or west sides of Chicago through selecting fellows that understand frontline communities and the issues they face

Who is eligible for this fellowship?

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) recent graduates, or early career individuals seeking a first step in a career that contributes to the Environmental Justice movement in Chicago. Strong candidates will have education, training and skills that may include organizing, policy, research, communications, planning, and or arts/culture experience. Candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds, and those with differently abled bodies, are highly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with lived experience in Chicago frontline EJ communities. One fellow will be admitted  for the 2024-2025 program.

Unsure if you should apply? Reach out to Bryantwilliamsfellowship@gmail.com for more information, exceptions, and accommodations.

When will the fellowship begin?

The Fellowship will begin on September 1, 2024 and include a public welcome event for the fellow, which will take place in September, 2024. The fellow will receive their first payment and begin onboarding, orientation and initial professional development in September, with their time at their host site fully starting at the beginning of October, 2024. The Fellowship is a full time 12-month commitment from September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025.

Where will fellows be hosted?

Host organizations are BIPOC-led EJ organizations located on Chicago’s south and/or west sides and participating in the Chicago EJ Network. For the 2024-2025 Program year the fellow will be placed with the Southeast Side Environmental Task Force (SETF). The Southeast Side Environmental Task Force was formed in 1989 to oppose a proposed garbage incinerator and has grown into believing that the southeast of Chicagoland will one day serve as a national and international model for the integration of industrial, residential and natural areas into a productive, green, and environmentally sustainable urban community. SETF is currently engaged in a variety of campaigns focused on promoting environmental education, pollution prevention, and sustainable development throughout the Southeast Side and Calumet Region.

In order to support SETF’s community revitalization and advocacy work, candidates should be highly adaptable, possess strong communication skills, have the ability to conduct detail oriented policy research, and be critical and analytical thinkers. Working at SETF requires a mix of community organizing and urban planning skills. This includes cultural competence, the ability to conduct community outreach, facilitate community meetings, mediate dialogues, and engage residents and stakeholders in planning processes. In addition, a basic familiarity and understanding of urban design principles relating to land use planning, green space use, land remediation and green infrastructure is strongly desired. Knowledge and/or experience in green building practices, energy efficiency, housing and/or infrastructure development, and other climate and sustainability practices is a plus.

Host Organization Criteria:

  • Geographically or identity-based

  • Located in communities that are historically and systemically overburdened by pollution

  • Values/Mission grounded in EJ principles

  • Rooted, in, accountable to, & representative of local EJ communities of color, low-income communities, and tribal and Indigenous groups most impacted

  • Works to build local power

  • Is a 501c3 or fiscally sponsored project

Each year the host organization(s) are subject to change. Prior year fellowship hosts include People for Community Recovery (PCR) and Blacks in Green (BIG).

What will the fellowship be like?

The Fellowship is a full time commitment. The fellow will work at the host organization 30 hours a week, and spend 5 hours each week engaged in professional development/skill development (hard and soft), mentoring, and networking. The fellow should expect to work in community organizations that are leading bold organizing campaigns and transformative visions for healthier communities. These campaigns are often rooted in histories of environmental racism and can be emotionally intense for staff and community members. The fellow should be comfortable practicing flexibility and patience, and be open to personal transformations while adapting to EJ community organizing culture.

Grounded in the EJ Principles, EJ community organizing culture is values centered with a strong commitment to transformative relationships, service to frontline communities, and accountability. At the host organization, the fellow will work in teams and utilize their skills to advance grassroots organizing campaigns, policy advocacy efforts, community-led research projects, or educational initiatives. 

During the fellowship year, the fellow will also have opportunities to work with mentors and participate in facilitated professional development workshops and programming. Social and networking events will be organized so the fellow can build relationships with leaders from different environmental sectors.       

Program Basics

  1. 12-month paid fellowship (September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025)

  2. $50,000 Paid Fellowship + funds to cover self-employment tax (monthly stipend)

  3. $5,000 Healthcare Stipend 

  4. Placement at the Southeast Side Environmental Task Force (SETF) for the 2024-2025 Fellowship Year

  5. Dedicate 35 hours per week for fellowship activities

    • Work 25-30 hours per week at the host site 

    • Engage 5 hours a week in the professional development activities, which may take place at the host or other sites in Chicago

  6. The Fellowship will operate as a hybrid work schedule with some days each week required to be in person and some days remote. Most work will take place between 9am-5pm but there will be evenings and weekends depending on the season and types of campaigns that are active. Exact schedule will be determined at the beginning of the Fellowship

  7. The Fellow is hired as a contractor of the Chicago Frontline Funding Initiative (CFFI), but supervised by the host organization

  8. The Fellowship offers the fellow tax review assistance (we cannot offer filing assistance, but can review the portions of the fellow’s return that relate to payments from the fellowship)

Fellowship Program Benefits

  • Learn and adapt to community organizing culture

  • Gain direct experience in environmental justice work

  • Receive direct holistic and culturally-relevant professional development

  • Develop technical competencies in: research (qualitative/quantitative), communications, advocacy/policy, operations/administration, meeting facilitation, and community-driven urban planning practices 

  • Develop leadership competencies in: community listening, emotional intelligence, navigating professional work environment, and building trust and relationships with the community

  • Network with other environmental professionals

The Application Process

  • Timeline

    • Application Launch: May 1, 2024

    • Application Closes: 11:59pm CT June 2, 2024

    • First Round Interviews: June, 2024

    • Second Round Interviews: July, 2024

    • Position Offered: End of July, 2024

    • Contract Signed: Early August, 2024

    • Expected Start Date: September 1, 2024

  • What is needed to apply?

    • Complete the Fellowship Application

    • Resume, no longer than 2 pages

      • Relevant coursework or experience in environmental justice is a plus.

    • One example project (no more than two pages) that is centered on one or more of these areas: policy analysis and development, advocacy, community revitalization, community engagement, movement building, and community planning. Climate and environmental project examples are preferred, but not required.

  • If selected for an interview, please be prepared to provide up to 3 references if requested.

Do I need to be a U.S Citizen?

  • No, U.S. Citizenship is not required.

Will I need to live in Chicago during the fellowship?

  • Yes, the host sites and fellowship work will take place on the south and/or west sides of Chicago.

Will the fellowship cover relocation costs?

  • No, relocation expenses will be the responsibility of the Fellow. Housing recommendations and resources may be provided if needed.

What’s next after I submit my application materials?

  • The selection process will involve a multi-stage process in which a Review Committee and the host organization will review applications and select finalists to be interviewed. Finalists will be interviewed by host organizations and the Review Committee. The host organization will make the final decision in terms of offering a position, which will be approved by the Bryant Williams Environmental Justice Steering Committee.

I have questions about the application, who should I contact?

The Bryant Williams Fellowship is sponsored by the Chicago Frontlines Funding Initiative. Chicago Frontlines Funding Initiative’s mission is to provide Environmental Justice leaders across the Chicago area with the resources and support they need to build healthy and impactful organizations.