What is the POZitively Resilient Fellowship?

The POZitively Resilient Fellowship is a new Leadership Development opportunity at The Audre Lorde Project (ALP). The Fellowship will focus on uplifting leadership in Trans & Gender Non-Conforming People of Color (TGNC POC) communities impacted by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In the past, POZitively Resilient has been an event which includes cultural work and performance to educate our community on facts about HIV. At this event, folks will explore tools for safer sex; gain resources and information from our community partners; and will learn the importance of collective strategies in order to center the voices of persons living with HIV.

Why does ALP need a POZitively Resilient Fellowship?
This will help build out leadership within the Trans Gender Non-Conforming People of Color (TGNC POC)  community living with HIV. This will allow POZitively Resilient to be led by those most impacted in the community by HIV. This will direct the culture at ALP to make sure there is a focus & dialogue on how HIV impacts the TGNC POC Community.

Who should apply?
Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community members (Please mention if you are an ALP member) and more importantly, TGNC POC community members living with HIV. Please note in your application if you are an Audre Lorde Project member.

What would the Fellowship entail?
The length of the Fellowship is 8 weeks starting on Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 to Wednesday, December 6th, 2017 (Dates might change with more information). The Fellow will work approximately 8 hours per week within the ALP offices at a rate of $15 per hour (Metrocard will be included for duration of Fellowship). The main goal of the Fellowship is to execute an event by Friday, December 1st, 2017 (World AIDS Day) that reflects your vision of what POZitively Resilient means to you. To give an idea of what that can look like, here are some of the ways this event has been executed in the past:
-Performance Artist Based
-Lectures, Public Speaking, Panels consisting of community members
-Public Movie Screening with Community Discussion
-Safer Sex Demonstrations from The Pleasure Chest

How does the Fellow benefit from this experience?
-The chance to organize an event with the financial, holistic, and structural support of ALP staff. We aim to bring the Fellow’s idea to life with intentionality and sustainability, allowing the Fellow to continue creating past their Fellowship.
-An 8 week leadership development opportunity that would allow the Fellow to understand the logistical aspects of event planning; Community organizing in a Queer Trans People of Color space; and coalition building with community partners of ALP.
-Political education and organizing an event rooted in the values of ALP.
-Work experience, income and the opportunity to showcase their learned skills.

How do you apply?
The application consists of two parts, a registration form and a event proposal.
(1) Fill out the registration form!
(2) Submit a proposal for what a POZitively Resilient event could look like. Be creative! You can submit a ...
1 page essay (or longer if necessary)
3-5 minute video
A detailed comic or zine
Anything else! - (Please e-mail Cleopatra at cleo@alp.org to discuss your preferred format.)
Please submit your proposal to ALP Membership Coordinator, Cleopatra Acquaye-Reynolds, at cleo@alp.org.
Both parts of your application, the registration form and the event proposal, are due by Friday, October 13th, 2017 at Midnight! We will be making our final decision by Monday, October 16th, 2017.

Your proposal must illustrate an idea for a POZitively Resilient event. Below are some guidelines as to what we’re looking for. Your idea should be S.M.A.R.T.! As in:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail Cleopatra at cleo@alp.org or call me at 212-463-0342 at ext. 17. When referring to me through email or phone, please She, Her, Sir. (I do not go by Miss or Ma’am)
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The Audre Lorde Project (ALP) is a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Two Spirit Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.