The Sonder Fellowship was a leadership training program for BIPOC leaders, by BIPOC leaders, who are living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne. The program combined individual leadership development with asset-based community development (ABCD) to support opportunities that position the southeast quadrant of Fort Wayne to thrive.

Sonder (noun) – The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. 

The Sonder Fellowship was a year-long program that:

• focused on the unique perspectives and experiences of leaders of color living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne.

• was made up of leaders representing different agencies and areas of impact, to deepen understanding of community assets.

• included a small cohort, allowing leaders to take a deeper dive and be vulnerable with each other.

• included all-day in-person sessions once a month, as well as out-of-classroom work, and experiential learning opportunities.

• included one-on-one executive coaching outside of monthly sessions.

Our Fellows

Graduates of the Sonder Fellowship have undergone rigorous training and development. We’re proud of our graduates!

•   Edward Jones

•   Geoff Kin

•   Lewis King

•   Greta McKinney

•   Raven Morton

•   Monique Moss

•   Amos Norman

•   Rosalina Perez

•   Chynna Presley

•   Joshua Raines

•   Virginia Richardson

•   Aisha Smiley

•   Ephraim Smiley III

•   Diane Starks

•   Stephanie Taylor

•   Sharon Tubbs

•   Jonathon Wattley

•   Darrion White

•   Neco Beasley

•   Imogene Bibbs

•   Reggie Blackmon

•   Yusanda Blackmon

•   TJ Bohanon

•   Réna Bradley

•   Zeke Bryant

•   Shaquana Causey

•   Michelle Chambers

•   Ranada Clark

•   Dawn Clopton

•   Keyonia Cox

•   Ashley Craig

•   Annie Davis

•   Annette Dufor

•   Regenia Frison-Jones

•   Reppard Horne

•   Toni Irby

Overview: Awakening & Transforming

In this video, Sonder graduates share how the program helped them discover and understand themselves as individual leaders, and how they’ll utilize that knowledge to impact their communities.

Individual Leadership Development

The Sonder Fellowship hinges on the belief that great leadership starts with the ability and desire to work on yourself. Programming includes curriculum around self-discovery, personal branding, and more. In this video, Sonder graduates share how the program helped them grow as individual leaders.

Asset-Based Community Development

Once leaders have a greater connection with themselves, they can grow a connection to each other, and create change in their community. By giving leaders in the community dedicated time to network and build relationships, they have a better understanding of the assets and resources that are available to them—including each other. In this video, Sonder graduates share how the program armed them with the tools to transform their community.