Sonder Fellowship
The Sonder Fellowship is a leadership training program for BIPOC leaders, by BIPOC leaders, that are living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne. The program combines 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.
To learn more about Sonder, contact Amanda Jamison at amanda@foellinger.org.
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.
Awakening as Leaders
In this video, Sonder graduates share how the program helped them grow as individual leaders.
“This training affected me on a personal and a professional level, because you cannot separate the two. The person is the professional. If you don’t know who you are as a person, then you don’t know who you are as a leader.”
– Reppard Horne, Sonder Graduate
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.
Transforming as a Community
In this video, Sonder graduates share how the program armed them with the tools to transform their community.
“We are individuals within our own communities, working within a bigger community. When we unite, we’re better.”
– Annie Davis, Sonder Graduate
Program Details
The Sonder Fellowship is a year-long program that:
Focuses on the unique perspectives and experiences of leaders of color living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne.
Is made up of leaders representing different agencies and areas of impact, to deepen understanding of community assets.
Includes a small cohort, allowing leaders to take a deeper dive and be vulnerable with each other.
Includes all-day in-person sessions once a month, as well as out-of-classroom work, and experiential learning opportunities.
Includes one-on-one executive coaching outside of monthly sessions.
Participation is by invitation only.
Our Fellows
Graduates of the Sonder Fellowship have undergone rigorous training and development. We’re proud of our graduates!
Program Contact
Amanda Jamison
Senior Program Officer
amanda@foellinger.org
