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Developing
New York’s future

leaders

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who we invest in

The We the People Fellowship develops serious leaders for New York — candidates who intend to run for office and other civic-minded New Yorkers.

What We Look For

Community roots and accountability

not just residency, but real relationships and demonstrated responsibility.

Organizing and leadership Interest
interest in work that built something, organizes people, and shifts conditions.

Structural
awareness

understanding how power actually works, not just how institutions claim to work.

Hunger for
impact

a driving belief that things need to change and can change. 
Tactical and strategic judgment
ability to think both in the immediate moment and across years. 
Communication and trust-building
capacity to bring people together across difference. 

Resilience and
optimism

clear-eyed about obstacles, unbending about values. 

Our Fellowship is a 10-week program of once-a-week 90-120 minute sessions with leaders in local civic life and government. Over the course of the program, Fellows will learn critical skills and insights that will help them run for office and serve the public good. They will also have access to an ecosystem of program partners who can help them develop and emerge as city leaders.

Who's Teaching

Our instructors are leaders at the top of politics, government, organizing, and policy. A selection of our lecturers are below:
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01.
Dan Garodnick
Former New York City Council Member; and Chair of New York City Planning Commission
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02.
Jefrey Pollock
Founder, Global Strategy Group
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03.
Grace Rauh
Executive Director, Citizens Union; former NY1 News Political Reporter and host of "Off Topic/On Politics" podcast
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04.
Matt Rey
Partner, Red Horse Strategies
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05.
L. Joy Williams
President, New York State NAACP
Who's Behind it: Our Board
THERESA GONZALES
Co-founder/Principal, DalyGonzalez; Partner, Bolton-St. Johns; Board Member at The New Majority NYC (formerly 21 in ’21)
GIL MONROSE
Pastor; Founding President of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council; former Executive Director of NYC Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships
NUPOL KIAZOLU
Former Black Lives Matter Greater NY Youth President; civil rights organizer
MARK TREYGER
Former Member of the New York City Council; President, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC)
JERRY GOLDFEDER
Senior Counsel, Cozen O'connor; Fordham University Law Professor; veteran election law authority
HUSEIN YATABARRY
Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network (MCN)
YVETTE BUCKNER
President, Buckner Group; Board Chair of The New Majority NYC (formerly 21 in ’21)
CIERRA SMITH
Former CNN Digital strategist; Deputy Digital Director, NYS Office of Cannabis Management; communications expert
DANIELE CAMPBELL
Former Marvel Entertainment & Viacom executive; community leader; campaign finance and growth strategist

WTPF Application

For candidates, campaign staff, and emerging civic leaders preparing
for the 2028 and 2029 New York cycles

Apply Now

 


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