The Color-Brave Fellowship for Classroom Educators

A Professional Learning Experience with EmbraceRace (September-May)

Overview

The Color-Brave Fellowship is a nine-month, cohort-based professional learning opportunity designed for classroom educators working with PK-8 students.

The Fellowship supports educators in building equitable, anti-racist or “color-brave” classrooms grounded in children’s healthy racial development. The Fellowship offers one cohort track for White educators and another for educators of color, recognizing that educators with different racialized experiences benefit from distinct entry points and spaces for growth.

Participants deepen their understanding of race, racism, and racial identity development and apply these insights to their classroom practice. They also build practical strategies to support children’s healthy racial learning.
 

Applications for the 2027 cohort will open February 1st 2027! 

Objectives 
 

• Understand race and racism. Learn how race was constructed, how racism operates at multiple levels, and how dominant cultural norms shape what schools treat as "normal."
• Know how children learn about race. Explore what research shows about when and how children form ideas about race, and the roles educators and caregivers play.
• Examine your own lens. Reflect on your racial identity and how it shapes your teaching, your relationships with students, and your classroom.
• Put learning into practice. Build skill and confidence talking with children about race, strengthening curriculum, and influencing your school, with support from peers nationwide.

Inside the Fellowship

• Foundational learning grounded in EmbraceRace’s curriculum on race, racism, racial history, and children’s racial learning
• Monthly full-cohort virtual sessions for shared learning and discussion
• Monthly small-group meetings for peer reflection and problem-solving
• Practice and implementation support, including practical classroom strategies for supporting children’s racial learning
• Facilitated peer case consultations centered on real classroom experiences and challenges
• Approximately 20–25 fellows are selected for each cohort. 
   

Why This Fellowship

Educators consistently call for sustained, educator-only spaces that nurture deeper practice, trusting peer relationships, and long-term application. This Fellowship responds with a nine-month partnership at a time when equity-focused professional development opportunities have become less available.

Who Should Apply

• Classroom educators working with children, PK-8
• Educators in public, charter, or private schools
• Schools or districts interested in sponsoring participation for their PK–8 educators

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee admission.

Duration

September–May (nine months)

Cost

$250 per fellow.
Certificates of completion will be provided to all participants. Professional development credits may be available, pending state approval.

Value for Schools & Districts

Schools benefit from educators who:

• Strengthen color-brave classroom practices that support children’s healthy racial learning
• Build shared language and understanding around equity, race, and racial development
• Can partner with caregivers to support thoughtful conversations about race and identity
• Extend learning to colleagues and contribute to a more inclusive school culture

Ready to Apply?

Applications for the upcoming cohort will open on Feb 1st 2027! 

Questions?
Contact Andrea Huang
andrea@embracerace.org

Frequently Asked Questions