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Black Leadership Institute Fellowship

The SUNY Black Leadership Institute (BLI) is an in-depth and rigorous program that will require a significant investment of the Fellow's time and commitment. BLI is a hybrid program and requires Fellows to attend all scheduled meetings, sessions, webinars, and leadership retreats, as well as completing all assigned tasks. Participation in the program will also require time away from the Fellow's workplace. To be successful, participants must have the support from their campus leadership, including their direct supervisor.

Since its inception in 2023, there have been two cohorts for a total of 15 SUNY professionals and Faculty who have completed the BLI program. The Fellows represent 12 SUNY campuses from all four sectors and System Administration and a wide variety of areas of the university and positions.

The BLI nine-month curriculum begins in January and ends in October, and includes, but is not limited to:

• January – BLI Opening 2-day Retreat
• April – 2-day Mid-Course Retreat
• June – 2-day Retreat
• September – 1 ½ day Retreat
• Monthly speaker series
• Monthly group webinars to discuss articles, ongoing projects, and emerging issues
• Monthly individual video conferences with Executive Director and professional mentor(s)
• Additional conference calls and webinars that may be scheduled to cover other topics with Black leaders.

BLI covers the costs for all meetings, materials, speakers, etc. BLI also covers lodging, breakfast, and lunch for meetings, if and when required. However, each participant is responsible for covering the cost of their transportation and evening meals; this may/will require some level of financial support from the participant's institution.

Timeline