Institute of Engagement Launches Shift Press Fellowship Application

All Greater Houston area high school-aged residents are invited to apply

On Wednesday, July, 22 2020, The Institute of Engagement launched applications for the Shift Press Fellowship, an online, 10-week paid fellowship for eight Greater Houston-area youth to develop journalistic and critical thinking skills.

The organization is looking for young people who are passionate about this city and are looking to grow. In addition to attending weekly e-workshops, fellows will produce at least five written pieces. These pieces may come in the form of reporting, op-eds, and investigative journalism as well as more personal writing.

Jalesha Bass, graduate of Yates High School and a current student at the University of Texas at Austin, says “This fellowship gives young people a great opportunity to tell their stories, gain knowledge about topics of their interest, and learn how stories impact all community action.”

“This fellowship values the crucial perspectives of young people and gives them agency in defining the narratives of their generation,” says Amy Fan, graduate of Bellaire High School and Duke University.

Young people can best shape their communities when they define themselves by the stories they tell, as opposed to the ones adults force on them.

“Engaging the dreams and concerns of Houston’s young people is the key to a bright future. I’m excited to see this work expand the fellows’ collective range of imagination,” says Uyiosa Elegon, a graduate of DeBakey High School and the University of Houston.

Fellows will receive a $1000 stipend for the 10 week fellowship. The team will also equip fellows with resources, such as reliable WiFi, if needed. 

High school-aged individuals in the Greater Houston area are encouraged to apply for the 2018-19 fellowship at www.shift.press/apply by midnight on July 29, 2020.

BACKGROUND:

The Institute of Engagement is a collective that helps young people take responsible ownership of their Houston.

The team’s past work includes the year-long 2018-19 Civic Fellowship. Thirteen students from seven high schools and four different school districts in the Greater Houston area deepened their knowledge of issue areas that they each identified as important. The fellows gained different civic skills like root cause analysis, house meeting, op-ed writing. Throughout the fellowship, the fellows facilitated house meetings with community members and grew to be a strong cohort.

For more information, visit www.shift.press/fellowship.

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