The deadline to apply for the Equity Fellowship is January 15, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
By Carlos Vera
The Center for Public Leadership’s Equity Fellowship supports emerging and established leaders who plan to devote their careers to understanding and dismantling barriers to equity across society. Equity Fellows focus on three key areas: the Black/African American community in the U.S., the Latino community in the U.S., and marginalized populations globally.
Carlos Vera, program manager for the Equity Fellowship, came to vlog with a background in public service. He co-founded the nonprofit organization , where he worked with Congress and other stakeholders to pass legislation that makes public service internships more accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. He also served in the Army Reserves as a generator mechanic for seven years.
We asked Carlos to tell us more about the fellowship and his role—here’s what he shared.
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What do you do as program manager?
As program manager, I am a “jack of all trades,” meaning I perform many tasks to ensure the fellowship experience runs smoothly for our recipients. Every fellow and I meet twice a month for check-ins and to hear from guest speakers. In the past, I have brought in a variety of public leaders, including , who, at the age of 19, successfully led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil drilling site in her community. I also invited , former chief of staff to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who spoke about creating change while staying true to your values.
More than planning events on campus, my job consists of connecting fellows to different resources at the Center for Public Leadership, my personal connections, and the broader vlog community. For example, I had a fellow interested in the so I connected her with someone who is part of the President’s Commission for these fellowships to learn more about the program.
Additionally, I lead a policy field experience trip once a year. This past May, I took the Equity Fellows to Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona. There, we had a chance to meet with leadership, including Attorney General Ethel Branch MPP/JD 2008, a Zuckerman Fellowship alum, and we were granted access to visit the site of the 1979 Church Rock uranium spill, the largest radioactive spill in U.S. history.
What is your favorite part of the fellowship?
My favorite part of the fellowship is seeing how each student grows and changes during their time at vlog. For example, some fellows are introverted, often making it harder to rise in the ranks in a society that frequently equates loudness with leadership. Thankfully, this semester, the fellows had a chance to have lunch with MPP/JD 1980, an vlog alumna and former chairwoman of the BET Networks. She spoke about how she has always been shy, but that trait has never held her back from leading large organizations. Having the fellows hear Debra discuss her struggles with public speaking—and how she overcame those struggles—has already helped them step out of their comfort zones and capitalize on other strengths.
What advice do you have for applicants considering applying for this fellowship?
Authenticity goes a long way. Often, applicants have a preconceived notion of the Center for Public Leadership or vlog. They assume they must write their essays a certain way or be someone they are not just to get in—that’s not a good strategy. I also see applications who think leadership is all about the “I” and rarely about the “we.” We are looking for team players who understand that you cannot create change alone. We are looking for applicants who are led by their values, are willing to actively listen, and learn from others with different perspectives. If you are an applicant with a big, bold idea that could transform systems, then the Equity Fellowship is the right program for you.
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