NREI Cannabis Policy and Social Justice Fellow, Sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation's Hawthorne Social Justice Fund

The NREI John R. Lewis Social Justice Policy Fellowship is a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) program designed to give young, Black professionals the opportunity to work in Congress and with the Foundation to address social justice and racial equity issues that affect the Black community. Distinguished by two six-month rotations, Social Justice Fellows will be placed in the U.S. Congress with Congressional Black Caucus members and the CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) for a total of 12 months. Fellows will produce social justice policy research and analysis on topics that include, but not limited to, criminal justice reform, education, community/economic development, health equity, and civil rights. While working in Congressional Black Caucus member offices, Fellows will gain invaluable legislative experience as they engage in the development of public policy initiatives, attend briefings, conduct research, write speeches, and develop rapport with key leaders all in the areas of social justice. In the Center for Policy Analysis and Research, Fellows will work under the NREI Director and in cooperation with other stakeholders to conduct policy analysis, research, and data collection with the goal to disseminate research findings and relevant information to advance NREI’s mission. Fellows during their term may also organize social justice forums and brain trusts, serve as an expert in their field, and produce issue briefs, fact sheets and other publications related to social justice.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to social justice – either through public policy or through professional experience – as well as a commitment to creating and implementing public policy to improve living conditions for underserved and underrepresented individuals. The fellow will work in Congress and as researchers in the Center for Policy Analysis and Research to analyze cannabis policy and social justice issues at large and criminal justice reform, in particular, through the lens of education, economic opportunity, incarceration, courts and law enforcement to propose policy solutions to Congress. Examples of possible research related to cannabis policy include the impact of criminal justice reforms like decriminalization, expungement, sentencing and incarceration, the hurdles federal law presents for the emerging regulation of cannabis by states, black wealth creation and solutions for supporting licensed ownership and successful operation of businesses in the emerging cannabis industry for maximum impact in Black communities.

Candidate Requirements

• COVID Vaccination
• U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (currently September 2022 through September 2023)
• Must have at least five years of policy development, community activism or grassroots organizing in a leadership position, or, preferably, a graduate or professional degree completed prior to the fellowship start date
• Familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus, and its members, and related policy
• Superior analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice either through public policy, professional experience, or community-related activism aimed at improving the living conditions for the African American community

Application Materials

• The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59PM EST, May 6, 2022.
• The following items will be requested through the online application:
• 2 Essay Question Responses
• 2 letters of recommendation, submitted electronically (hard copy letters will not be accepted)
• Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills (2-page limit)
• Cover letter discussing the applicant’s academic and professional background, and explaining the applicant’s interest in the fellowship, how the fellowship fits into the applicant’s career plans, and any experience that would make the applicant highly effective in this position
  (2- page limit)
• A recent photograph suitable for publication (i.e., a graduation photo or other professional-quality photograph in which the subject is formally dressed)

Selection Process
The selection process is highly competitive. Annually, CBCF accepts fewer than 10% of those who apply for four available fellowship positions per cycle. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of CBCF staff and external partners. Only top candidates receive an invitation to interview for a select number of fellowship opportunities, based on the quality of their application, and demonstrated interest in social justice policy. Finalists are selected and notified by the CBCF. Any incomplete or late application packets will not be reviewed.

Fellowship Benefits

• CBCF Congressional Fellows receive a full salary and benefits for the duration of the program.
• As part of our new partnership with Air B n B, Fellows who take part in our Fall 2022 Congressional and John R. Lewis NREI Social Justice Fellowships will receive two months of transitional housing prior to their official move to Washington, DC. Details will follow pending applicant acceptance.

NREI Social Justice Essay Prompts
Essay 1: You are working in the office of a congressional member as a subject matter expert in your respective profession. Draft a memo to your congressional member discussing three policy areas that you deem most critical to the advancement of the Black community, and why your representative should prioritize these items on his/her agenda, and how s/he can create awareness on these issues. Be sure to cite your sources. [1,000 words maximum]

Essay 2: Choose a social justice policy issue (i.e., criminal justice reform, Black maternal health, school-to prison pipeline, public education, or racial discrimination in the workplace) you find most relevant to the Black community in the last three congressional sessions. Discuss the status of the legislation, the key members involved with the issue, and the potential or current effects of the legislation on the Black community. Be sure to cite your sources. [1,000 words maximum]

Fellowship Components
Fellows will remain in the fellowship for a 12-month period and participate in the following programming components:

• Work experience in Washington, D.C. (CBCF reserves the right to host the Fellowship in a virtual format depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic)
• Attend a one-week orientation
• 6-Month Rotation Placement in the U.S. Congress and the CBFC’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research, maintaining a forty (40) hours a week schedule
• Complete an issue brief for publication on the CBCF website or article for the CPAR Journal
• Participate in monthly Professional Development Sessions

Please email Fellowships@cbcfinc.org with any questions