“I personally have found ways to embody my own power that feel good to me. I have brought in more money (a lot) to my organization. I have created alliances that are game changers for my field. I can see internally where I get scared of my own authentic brilliance, where I have played small. I cannot continue to serve my communities in the way that they deserve if I continue to move in that way. I know for myself, I can never be the person or the way I was before TLC. Seeing myself reflected in the power, the humanity and the sheer caliber of leadership in my peers in the circle has shifted everything for me.”
– Kristiana Huitrón, Executive Director, Voces Unidas for Justice
The TLC Fellows are the most important catalyst for sparking change throughout our social justice movement ecosystem
Fellowship Overview:
The TLC fellowship sparks transformation within individuals, organizations, collaborative spaces, and the larger ecosystem. We recognize that unless we work at all four levels, leaders of color will not operate in conditions of sustainability or success. The TLC fellowship is not a typical “leadership development program” because strong and powerful BIPOC leaders already exist throughout our ecosystem. TLC invites fellows into a journey of deeper reflection, growth and transformation – to sustain, strengthen and evolve their leadership towards greater liberation. Fellows gain the opportunity to root their leadership practice in racial and healing justice; build a supportive peer network; and make ecosystem level change together.
The TLC Fellowship includes:
- 12 months of programming, including multi-day healing retreats and monthly day-long sessions
- $5,000 individual stipend to support leadership journey
- Peer coaching training
- Access to individual leadership coaching by TLC staff
- Access to resource directory of local/national BIPOC vendors, consultants and TA providers
- Opportunities to build relationships with local and national funders
- Unique funding opportunities for TLC-affiliated organizations
- Membership in a powerful and influential network of TLC alumni
This opportunity, which is valued at thousands of dollars, is offered at no cost for fellows. TLC intentionally offers this deep investment into BIPOC leaders in exchange for a commitment by fellows to fully participate and become an agent of change in our ecosystem. Please see our Fellowship Overview & FAQ document for more details.

Criteria & Cohort:
For the 2025-2026 TLC Fellowship, we are inviting black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) leaders who serve in an executive director or co-executive director role, who hold primary responsibility for organizational leadership.
Fellows must also:
- Work in organizations which are building power with poor/working class communities and/or people of color across a range of strategies (including but not limited to: community organizing, electoral power, advocacy/policy, arts/culture change, healing justice, cooperative economics/wealth building.)
- Work in Colorado based organizations that are a non-profit, have a non-profit fiscal sponsor or have a non-profit arm of their work.
- Be invested in building a social justice movement in Colorado across organizations, communities, constituencies, sectors, etc.
- Be committed to supporting one another’s leadership, holding the best intentions for each other, and being open to transforming conflicts that exist or emerge.
- Be willing to engage in conversations about race, power, privilege, internalized oppression and intersections of identities.
- Be able to attend all of the monthly sessions and retreats in the 12 month period (see below).
A team of TLC fellows from previous cohorts will review all eligible applications, conduct interviews and select the final group of leaders for the current cohort. If you have any questions about filling out this application please contact: tania@transformativeleadershipforchange.org
TLC Fellowship Selection Timeline:
January 24th: Application Deadline (please submit by midnight)
February – Mid March: Fellowship Selection Process
Mid-March & April: Fellowship Invitation and 1:1 Orientation Meetings
2025-2026 Fellowship Dates
2025
June 27th: Opening Ceremony
July 25th- 28th: Retreat
August 22nd: Full Day
September 26th: Full day
October 23rd-24th: 2-Day Virtual Training
December 5th: Full Day
2026
January 30th: Full Day
February 27th: Full Day
March 27th: Full Day
April 24th: Full Day
May 29th-June 1st: Retreat
June 28th: Closing Ceremony
Fellowship programming will be held in the Denver metro area and retreats will be held in Front Range mountain locations. We will provide travel stipends and accommodations for fellows traveling from outside the Denver metro area.