Activist Advisor Application, Activist Academy 2025

Activist Advisor Application
"The Activist Academy Fellowship is designed for individuals who are passionate and eager to roll up their sleeves and contribute to creating a healthier, more equitable future–a future where public health is prioritized, civic health is strengthened, and health equity is realized for all."

–Activist Academy Leadership Team
The Activist Advisor role is a pivotal part of the Activist Academy Leadership Team, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to Fellows throughout their fellowship experience from July 2025 to December 2025. Activist Academy aims to activate the next generation of public health leaders, civic health advocates, and health equity champions, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to:
- Navigate the legislative process by understanding policy making at the local, state, and federal levels to become more informed and effective advocates for change.
- Analyze the political and social drivers of health to better understand the systemic forces that sustain health inequities and contribute to disparities.
- Harness the power of community organizing, power-building, and movement-building to mobilize communities, build diverse coalitions, and drive sustainable change.
- Work collaboratively as a team, developing strong collaboration skills to contribute effectively to collective public health efforts.
- Build and sustain professional networks by fostering meaningful connections and seeking mentorship from public health leaders, health equity champions, and civic health advocates.
- Improve public health literacy in an era of growing misinformation by learning how to combat health misinformation in the digital age, understand the roots of public health mistrust, and engage communities to build confidence in public health initiatives.
- Become effective public health communicators by learning to convey clear, accurate, and impactful public health messages.
- Think critically about current events by applying a health equity lens to policy developments and public discourse at the local, state, and national levels.
- Identify their role in the movement by understanding their strengths, refining their interests, and leveraging their voice and skills to create meaningful impact.
While this role is primarily remote, in-person participation is required for key fellowship events:

The Welcome Day Fellowship Kickoff will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Fenway Health, and the Getting to Zero Reception will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Boston, Massachusetts.
Deadline to submit Activist Academy Activist Advisor Application: Friday, May 16, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

Questions? Reach out to ActivistAcademy@fenwayhealth.org
- Fenway Health is a federally qualified, internationally and nationally recognized community health center in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive, and affirming healthcare for all.
  
  Founded in 1971 as a small, volunteer-run clinic serving the Fenway neighborhood, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS, we have always upheld the belief that “healthcare is a right, not a privilege.” This principle remains at the heart of our mission today and drives our vision for the future.
  
  We are also home to The Fenway Institute, a pioneering center for research, policy, and education dedicated to improving health outcomes for underserved populations, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with or with reasons for HIV prevention. Through groundbreaking research, best practices in care, and advocacy, we continue to shape the future.
  
  As part of this mission, the Activist Academy Fellowship was created to ignite and harness the passion of the next generation of public health leaders, civic health advocates, and health equity champions. We ask ourselves: Who will carry the torch forward? This transformative six-month fellowship empowers emerging activists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to challenge inequities and drive lasting change. Through mentorship and collaboration, Fellows become catalysts for progress, breaking down systemic barriers to healthcare access and advocating for policies that create a more just and equitable world. Our hope is that Fellows graduate not only inspired to champion Fenway Health’s vision of a world where everyone—regardless of identity, background, or circumstance—has access to affirming, high-quality healthcare, but also emboldened to live their truth unapologetically and inspire others to do the same along the way.
- Activist Academy 2025 marks the sixth iteration of the fellowship, welcoming 30 Fellows for a transformative experience from July 2025 to December 2025. Throughout the fellowship, Fellows will receive guidance and support from the Activist Academy Leadership Team, composed of Fenway Health staff and faculty, along with four dedicated Activist Advisors. Activist Advisors are experts in public health advocacy, driven by a commitment to activate the next generation of public health leaders, health equity champions, and civic health advocates. They will play a key role in mentoring Fellows, helping them navigate the curriculum, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to maximize their impact.
  
  The Activist Academy Fellowship is structured around two core components: Educator Seminars & Fellowship-wide meetings. Educator Seminars are weekly virtual meetings where Fellows have the opportunity to learn from and engage with leading public health advocates. Fellowship-wide meetings, also held weekly and hosted virtually, provide Fellows with the opportunity to work under the mentorship of Activist Advisors to deepen their understanding of key topics covered in the Educator Seminars, analyze current events, and check in as a cohort.
- Required Qualifications:
  - A genuine passion for public health, health equity, civic health, and social justice.
  - Experience in public health, civic health, public health advocacy, social justice, or a related field, with a demonstrated commitment to health equity.
  - Strong mentorship and leadership skills.
  - Knowledge of the political and social drivers of health.
  - Understanding of civic health, including the relationship between civic participation (such as voting, advocacy, and policy engagement) and public health outcomes.
  - Familiarity with the legislative process at the local, state, and federal levels, with an understanding of how policy impacts public health.
  - Prior experience in community organizing, movement-building, or coalition-building.
  - Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead discussions, engage diverse perspectives, and foster critical thinking.
  - Ability to analyze and discuss current events through a health equity and social justice lens.
  - Comfort with virtual engagement, including leading discussions and mentoring in an online setting.
  - Strong professional network in public health, civic health, or public health advocacy, with the ability to connect Fellows to valuable resources and opportunities.
  - Experience working with diverse communities and a demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equity-driven spaces.
  Time Commitment Qualifications: (Refer to the "Time Commitment" section of the application for detailed information on time commitment requirements for each week.
  - Be available to serve on the Steering Committee responsible for reviewing Fellow applications and selecting the 30 Fellows for the upcoming cohort. The selection process will take place between June 2 and June 27, 2025.
  - Be available to participate in the virtual Activist Advisor Orientation from May 26-30, 2025, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fellowship structure, expectations, and best practices for mentoring Fellows.
  - Be able to commit an average of 6-7 hours per week for Educator Seminars, Fellowship-wide meetings, Activist Academy Leadership meetings, and independent planning.
  - Reside in the state of Massachusetts for the duration of the fellowship (July 2025–December 2025).
  - Be available on Mondays from 6-7:30 PM ET for weekly virtual Educator Seminars.
  - Be available on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 PM ET for weekly virtual Fellowship-wide Meetings.
  - Be available to attend the in-person Welcome Day Kickoff on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Fenway Health in Boston, MA.
  - Be available to attend the in-person Getting to Zero Reception on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6-9:00 PM in Boston, MA.
  Preferred Qualifications:
  - Experience addressing public health mis- and disinformation and engaging communities to build trust in public health efforts.
  - Understanding of historical and contemporary public health issues and their policy responses.
  - Knowledge of key public health policies, landmark legal cases, and Supreme Court rulings that have shaped public health, health equity, and civil rights.
  - Expertise in federal and state public health infrastructure, including the role of agencies such as the CDC, NIH, FDA, and HRSA in shaping health policy, funding, and research.
  - Ability to contextualize past public health policies and legal rulings within current public health challenges.
- Activist Advisor Responsibilities/Expectations:
  - Inspire Fellows to become advocates who are informed, equipped, and empowered to carry the work of public health, health equity, and civic health forward.
  - Lead/co-lead weekly virtual Fellowship-wide meetings, facilitating discussions that reinforce key concepts from the Educator Seminars, analyze current events through a health equity lens, and foster cohort engagement.
  - Develop mini-assignments, mini-projects, and workshops for collaborative team work during independent planning periods and fellowship-wide meetings, ensuring they align with key topics from the weekly Educator Seminars and promote teamwork, skill-building, and deeper understanding of the material.
  - Stay informed about current public health events and relevant policy changes to provide timely insights and guidance to Fellows during discussions and activities.
  - Provide mentorship to Fellows that empowers them to identify their role in public health by helping them discover their strengths, refine their interests, and explore potential pathways for making an impact.
  - Foster professional growth by creating networking opportunities that connect Fellows with public health leaders, civic health advocates, and health equity champions.
  - Participate in end of fellowship Activist Advisor Exit Interviews.
  Time Commitment Responsibilities/Expectations:
  - Serve on the Steering Committee responsible for reviewing Fellow applications and selecting the 30 Fellows for the upcoming cohort. The selection process will take place between June 2 and June 27, 2025.
  - Participate in the virtual Activist Advisor Orientation from May 26-30, 2025, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fellowship structure, expectations, and best practices for mentoring Fellows.
  - Commit an average of 6-7 hours per week to Educator Seminars, Fellowship-wide meetings, Activist Academy Leadership meetings, and independent planning.
  - Attend the in-person Welcome Day Fellowship Kickoff on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM–5:00 PM at Fenway Health in Boston, Massachusetts.
  - Attend virtual weekly Educator Seminars held on Mondays from 6-7:30 PM ET.
  - Attend virtual weekly Fellowship-wide Meetings held on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 PM ET.
  - Attend bi-weekly Activist Academy Leadership Team Meetings. The date and time will be determined based on the availability of the Activist Academy Leadership Team.
  - Attend the in-person Getting to Zero Reception on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6-9:00 PM in Boston, MA.
- This section outlines the weekly time commitment required from Activist Advisors. Use it to assess your availability and ability to fully commit to the Activist Academy Fellowship as an Activist Advisor.
- Each Activist Advisor will receive a total stipend of $6,000.00, disbursed in six monthly payments of $1,000.00 from July 2025 through December 2025. Each $1,000.00 installment will be disbursed on the third Friday of the month.

Full name *

First NameLast Name
Pronouns *
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

What draws you to the role of an Activist Advisor, and how does it align with your experience in public health, health equity, or civic health? (250 word limit)*
Describe your experience as a public health advocate. (250 word limit)
What are some key public health policies, landmark cases, or Supreme Court rulings that you believe have significantly shaped health equity in the U.S.? How do they inform your perspective on advocacy? (250 word limit)
What excites you most about the opportunity to mentor and support the next generation of public health leaders, and what impact do you hope to make in this role? (250 word limit)

Please upload your most current resume or CV to provide us with an up-to-date overview of your qualifications, experience, and skills. This will help us better understand your background and assess your suitability for the program.

Cancelof
If you would like to attach any supplemental materials, aside from your resume or CV, please upload them here. Supplemental materials are additional resources that enhance and support your application, such as portfolios, certifications, reference letters, or work samples.

Cancelof
If you’d like to share your LinkedIn profile or any other relevant web links that enhance your application (e.g., personal website, YouTube channel, etc.), please provide them here:
Questions? Reach out to ActivistAcademy@Fenwayhealth.org
Should be Empty: