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Race Equity Framework

Our Racial Equity Vision

The National Urban Fellows (NUF) envisions a nation where white supremacy is dismantled and where:

All people are self-determined and self-actualized.
All people are economically mobile and self-sufficient.
All people have a place to call home and live in healthy thriving communities with abundant amenities.
All people experience equal access and rights, freedom, safety, respect, belonging, and dignity.
The promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are delivered to all.

Our Mission

National Urban Fellows develop accomplished and courageous professionals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, particularly people of color and women, to be leaders and change agents in the public and nonprofit sectors, with a strong commitment to social justice and racial equity.

Our Aspirations

The National Urban Fellows (NUF) aspires to be a catalyst for racial equity in the public and social sectors.

We will be the premier leadership development organization for Black, Indigenous, and social impact leaders of color and their white allies in the United States.

Leadership Development

We will be the premier leadership development organization for Black, Indigenous, and social impact leaders of color and their white allies in the United States.
We will develop people of color and women who are committed to social impact and social justice to lead with a racial equity orientation.

Social Impact

We will develop people of color and women who are committed to social impact and social justice to lead with a racial equity orientation.
We will support our Mentors and Partners in impacting our nation by modeling excellence in social impact leadership and promoting social justice and racial equity.

Mentors & Partners Support

We will support our Mentors and Partners in impacting our nation by modeling excellence in social impact leadership and promoting social justice and racial equity.
We will support mission-driven organizations in advancing their racial equity agenda.

Advancing Racial Equity

We will support mission-driven organizations in advancing their racial equity agenda.

Our Values

The National Urban Fellows’ leadership model is rooted in the following guiding principles:

INTEGRITY. 

We believe that integrity is central to social impact leadership. It requires a commitment to excellence, ethics, transparency, and accountability, and the alignment of mission and personal values and priorities.

RACIAL EQUITY.

We prepare leaders whose purpose is to ensure racially equitable outcomes.

DIGNITY.

We center human dignity and recognize the many dynamic and intersectional identities of all people. We create opportunities and experiences for Staff, Fellows, and Alumni to grow, succeed and thrive, professionally and personally.

COURAGE.

We recognize that dismantling systemic racism requires commitment and perseverance. We prepare leaders to deploy their skills to combat injustice with courage and conviction.

SOLIDARITY.

We recognize that our communities share a common interest in dismantling systemic injustice in all its manifestations. Our inclusive community starts with the NUF cohort, and extends to alumni, professors, academic leaders, elected officials, mentors, fellowship sites, and other mission aligned organizations.

We ensure that academic experiences provide cutting-edge tools and insights from diverse perspectives.
We curate professional residencies that add mutual value to the organization and accelerates Fellows’ career progression

WE ENSURE ENRICHING AND WELL-ROUNDED LEARNING EXPERIENCES

WE SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS IN MEETING THEIR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION GOALS

We connect BIPOC talent with leadership opportunities.
We support our partners in addressing internal barriers to equity and inclusion.