At its core, the Ascending Leaders in Color (ALC) leadership development program connects leaders of color across our communities, emboldening them to lead with authenticity and joy in the spaces they occupy. To do this, ALC fosters protected spaces for leaders of color to be authentically real, reconnect with one another, and reclaim every part of who they are. When people of color (PoC) can be in spaces with only each other and free from objectification, tokenization and marginalization, it creates opportunity to define themselves on their own terms to lead in their own skin.

While we all know that with leadership comes stress, the challenges that leaders of color face go beyond developing leadership skills. Microaggressions, heightened visibility and vulnerability, and constant scrutiny are just a few examples of the additional stressors we frequently encounter. 

Imagine a space that People of Color (PoC) can call their own. A space where they can gather and be themselves without white people’s judgment or discomfort. A space fully to themselves to be their full authentic selves. A space where they can simply be.

Using the restorative circle model, ALC is a 9-month peer-led fellowship program that employs distinct spaces to embolden and empower leaders of color, and invite White leaders to leave behind conditioning that keeps them from supporting and elevating leaders of color. To maintain intimacy, each cohort -- comprised of 10 fellows -- thoughtfully discusses carefully curated readings and videos with an expert facilitator guiding their conversation.

Through this experience, ALC fellows will:

• Foster an authentic sense of self by developing meaningful relationships with ALC cohort fellows
• Enhance their practices of courage, resilience, mindfulness, and compassion
• Deepen their understanding and skills for advancing social justice and racial equity while also centering joy to ensure quality work-life integration
• Honor the wisdom and experiences of ALC cohort fellows by uplifting their knowledge and expertise
• Build upon their relationships with other justice-focused leaders to create a vast network of Ascending Leaders of Color across our community

White allies also need their own spaces to grow, and to do so in a way that doesn’t harm or antagonize People of Color.  In these spaces, white allies can build community, support, and accountability for each other as they bravely step into unlearning conditioning that has been with them their whole lives.  It gives them places to make mistakes, learn compassion, be vulnerable, and learn together.  It can steady them to go back out into the world and be allies to Leaders of Color in more effective and meaningful ways. 

In October 2024, 4 Da Hood launched its first white affinity cohort groups to run in parallel with the PoC ALC cohort groups. The white affinity group is facilitated by Britta Homelvig, LMSW.

The actual cost of Ascending Leaders in Color  $2,499 for in-person participation and $2,249 for virtual participation, which 4 Da Hood further subsidizes through contributions. This brings down the participation fee to $1,999 or less, depending on their financial circumstances. Because ALC is a professional development program, we strongly encourage interested parties to seek sponsorship from their employer, as fellows will gain skills to help foster a more racially equitable workplace.*

At 4 Da Hood, we understand how systemic racism and other forms of oppression have created financial inequities within and between our communities. So, we do our best to level the playing field whenever possible. That includes offering subsidized program fees when we’re able.

To make this possible, we ask that all potential participants review and reflect upon the ‘Green Bottle Method.’ Which “bottle” best describes your financial situation? After reflecting upon the ‘Green Bottle Method’, your financial circumstances, and your employer's ability to sponsor you, then determine what you and/or your employer are able to pay towards participation in the program:

• Perhaps you’re well-resourced and able to contribute beyond the full cost per participant. Please do so. Your contribution enables us to offer scholarships to those in need.
• Perhaps you’re securely resourced, and able to meet all of your financial needs and wants. Contribute $1,999 for the full cost of in-person participation or $1,799 for the full cost of virtual participation.
• Perhaps you’re moderately resourced, and able to meet your financial needs and some wants. Contribute $1,499 (in-person) or $1,299 (virtual) depending on your capacity.
• Perhaps you’re not able to bear $1,499 for in-person or $1,299 for virtual. We encourage you to reach out to us so we can talk things through. We’ll do our absolute best to help you join the ALC Movement!

In addition to the sliding scale options, we offer payment plans. Please let us know if you want this option, and we can create a payment plan that works for you.

*We encourage employers to sponsor their staff's participation in Ascending Leaders in Color. Sponsoring your employee is an investment in your organization in becoming more racially just. If you would like to sponsor someone in your organization, we recommend first reaching out to us, then gauging their interest and capacity. If this is something they are committed to doing, recommend they contact us for more information and affirm you’ll financially support their engagement.

We always welcome contributions from organizations, white allies, and people of color to ensure that future folks can participate in ALC. Click on the "Donate to ALC" button below.