The ASCEND Cohort

The ASCEND Cohort of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program offers comprehensive leadership and advocacy training to Black identified disabled student leaders from across the country while supporting student leaders to create a project that directly benefits their local community. The ASCEND Cohort, the Alliance of Students Creating Educational Networks for Disability Rights, will be connected to a community of other leaders and the technical expertise of the Department of Education to actualize their projects.

As disabled youth, we recognize academia’s profound impact on students with disabilities. While academia can enrich, empower, educate, and motivate, disabled students often encounter barriers, dissuasion, and a lack of empathy. By collaborating with the Department of Education, the ASCEND Cohort of the FLH Program aims to expand the department’s initiatives by placing disabled student leaders at the forefront of advocacy and change.

About Fannie Lou Hamer

This cohort is a branch of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program, created by Keri Gray. The Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program’s typical focus on voting rights has shifted to education through the ASCEND Cohort in collaboration with the Department of Education through the White House Youth Policy Summit Fund.

The namesake of the program, Fannie Lou Hamer, was a formidable civil rights leader known for her tireless work in advocating for the rights of Black Americans and individuals with disabilities. Her efforts to challenge educational inequalities and promote accessible opportunities laid the foundation for integrating disability rights into the broader civil rights movement. Hamer’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of leaders dedicated to ensuring equitable access to education for all.

 

Apply for the program by October 14, 2024!

Please contact ohenry@aapd.com or qford@aapd.com with any questions or accommodations.

Apply Now!

Details About the Application Process

Program Timeline and Key Dates:
  • September 23: Applications are live
  • October 14: Applications close
  • October 28: Acceptances go live
  • November 4: Weekly virtual training meetings begin, focusing on leadership development, community engagement, and project implementation.
  • February 19-23: Participants will travel to Washington, D.C., for direct engagement with the Department of Education and a graduation celebration.
Commitment and Requirements:
  • Completion of the online application is required.
  • Attendance of at least 80% of all ASCEND modules is mandatory.
  • Participants must be available for weekly virtual calls and the D.C. trip scheduled for February 19-23.
Stipend and Technology Options:
  • Participants will receive a total stipend of $1,500: $500 at the beginning of the program, $500 midway through, and $500 towards the end.
  • Alternatively, participants may opt to receive $500 worth of technology (such as a laptop) to assist with their participation in the program. Any remaining funds after purchasing technology will be provided as a stipend.
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicants must self-identify as an individual with any type of disability.
  • In line with the inception of the FLH program, we prioritize Black identified individuals in this application.
  • Applicants must be between the ages of 16-25.