This landmark program builds upon what is increasingly clear: young people who have served and sacrificed for their country represent some of the brightest hopes of their generation to bring fresh, responsible, and ethical leadership to the United States and to the world.

Download the Black Family Fellowship one pager.

WHAT WE OFFER
The fellowship provides:

  • Financial support toward a master’s degree program at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School and/or Harvard Law School
  • A comprehensive co-curricular program to augment your leadership development
  • A network of exceptional peers and mentors who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve

 

THE AWARD
Recipients of the Black Family Fellowship will receive a financial aid package to supplement other funding (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.) to meet the cost of tuition and fees, plus a living stipend. For joint degree students, financial aid will be provided by the school in which they are enrolled during that academic year.

 

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants will be considered based on their potential to lead change for the common good. Black Family Fellows are outstanding emerging leaders with the capacity to work across sectors. Special emphasis is placed on character development and ethical leadership.

 

  • The fellowship is open to admitted degree program students at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law School who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces or active-duty military students serving the United States.
  • At Harvard Kennedy School, the fellowship is awarded upon admission to the school.
  • At Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, the fellowship is awarded to both newly-admitted and current MBA or JD candidates.
  • Candidates who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in joint or concurrent degree programs at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, or Harvard Law School, are also eligible to apply.

 

THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
Black Family Fellows will participate in a yearlong co-curricular program designed by Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. This not-for-credit program is intended to inspire, to provide concrete opportunities for leadership skill-building, and to connect fellows with an interdisciplinary network of like-minded peers and mentors that will last a lifetime. The fellowship co-curricular program includes seminars, an annual retreat, and robust experiential learning grounded in discussions with visionary leaders from the military, business, government, and non-profit sectors whose work has had significant impact in the world. The program will also focus on strengthening the capacity for public leadership, by promoting strong moral character and ethics, practicing negotiation skills, and through reflection, mentorship and skill building.

 

The Black Family Fellowship programming focuses on bridging the civilian/military gap with leadership development opportunities both for veterans who are working to transition from military to civilian leadership and for military students that will return to service.

 

The Fellows create a vibrant network of students and alumni committed to advancing knowledge, collaborating on solutions to pressing problems affecting marginalized communities, and building leadership capacity in their communities, their nation, and the world.

 

Note: Before submitting your application, we expect that you have thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information related to the Black Family fellowship, including but not limited to: program requirements, eligibility information, and the background and purpose of the fellowship. Being a CPL fellow carries with it certain responsibilities including maintenance of good academic standing as required by your degree program; attendance at all fellowship programming for the entire duration of the fellowship; leading program sessions and service activities including a field experience trip; and responsible conduct in representing CPL and Harvard University. Please visit our Fellowship FAQs page for more information.

 

Commitment to Nondiscrimination: As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, Harvard Kennedy School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, color, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, intellectual focus, disability, or veteran status. The School strongly believes diversity enhances the value of all its activities, from research and teaching to degree programs and public events. The School encourages applications from candidates who are interested in careers in public service and acknowledges a special responsibility to train effective leaders in public policy and management.

Program manager

HKS shield.

Carolyn Vincent

Appointment
617-495-8846

The Center for Public Leadership acknowledges the generosity of the Black Family Foundation for its support of the Black Family Fellowship