Community Equity Program

The Community Equity Program (CEP) is an immersive political leadership program that brings together Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) who want to get involved in Minnesota’s legislative policy and fight for change in their communities. Led by a BIPOC team, CEP provides participants with a 9-month cohort experience along with knowledge and tools to: advocate and advance state-level legislation, engage with policymakers, question existing systems of power, create space for dreaming, and ultimately, build community power and solidarity to advance justice at the Capitol.
Note: this program does not explicitly focus on electoral politics or running for office (but can help you in the long run if you do!). The cost to join CEP is free and only requires time and commitment.
Contact
Announcements
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now available. Apply online.
Join an info session to learn more: Friday, May 26, 1-2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 31, 4-5 p.m.
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About the Community Equity Program
Community Equity Program's mission is to deepen engagement of BIPOC communities in the legislative process by building connections to people, communities, groups, and organizations that influence or enact public policy.
Who should participate in CEP: Program Participants
Our program is open to applicants who are both early and seasoned in their political leadership journeys. At CEP, we are more interested in learning about your passions and commitment to activating change in community than popularity, degrees or accolades (though we're sure you worked hard for those as well!). Everyone has something to learn and share from/with one another and we welcome the unique experiences that each person brings with them to the program. In order to apply, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older by September 1st, 2022
- Reside in the Twin Cities metro area (this program year will likely have some in-person sessions) - Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties
- Identify within a spectrum of racial/ethnic identities, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latine, Caribbean, Middle Eastern/North African, African, Bi/Multi-Ethnic, etc. This program is not open to folks who primarily identify as white/Caucasian.
- Have an interest and commitment to impacting state-level legislative policy in Minnesota
- Be committed and available to attend at least 90% of scheduled cohort meetings and program-related activities during the extent of the program (students are welcome to apply if they can guarantee their availability the ENTIRE program year)
Why join CEP: Program Features & Benefits
- Develop skills and knowledge necessary for navigating and taking action during a legislative session including: legislative timelines, navigating the Capitol campus, reading/drafting bill language, coalition building, preparing and delivering testimonies, and more.
- Collectively Cultivate a space to discuss the harsh realities of public policy work and its impact on BIPOC's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing individually/community-wide.
- Engage in an immersive experience by participating in legislative coalitions and supporting legislation that directly impacts BIPOC people and their respective communities.
- Build meaningful relationships with a diverse learning community of leaders, who become resources, mentors, friends, allies and a network for your work.
- Connect with other BIPOC leaders outside the cohort who are passionate and knowledgeable about different topics and whose work takes on many different forms - legislative staff, community organizers, activists, journalists, elected officials, lobbyists, etc.
- Examine and cultivate personal leadership through reflection and critical analysis of your experience navigating the legislative process.
- Share your knowledge from this program and help to engage others' in advocacy.
What is your commitment to CEP: Program Length & Format
Cohort members should expect to spend about 20 hours per month on CEP-related activities.
- 9 months (September - May)
- 5-hour cohort educational sessions every other Friday from September-May
- 3-5 hours per month working with your paired advocacy coalition/organization
- 3-5 hours per month spent on individual assignments, group projects, time at the Capitol, etc.
- Regular 1:1 technical assistance/support check-ins with staff (monthly)
- Mandatory All-Day Kickoff Retreat in September
What you'll learn in CEP: Program Topics
- Learn about government structure and get immersed in the legislative process.
Observing the process on the ground is essential to understanding the Minnesota Legislature. Each participant will be tasked with completing a number of tasks in order to gain a deeper familiarity and comfort with the capitol including but not limited to: attending coalition meetings and bill hearings, tracking legislation and visiting lawmakers. CEP supports cohort member’s immersion experience through helping make strategic connections to lobbyists, coalitions and lawmakers. - Explore advocacy, media and communications
- Discover storytelling in policy and advocacy
- Craft your legislative agenda
- Learn how to decentralize whiteness and center your authenticity in public policy spaces
- Build coalitions, prepare and deliver effective testimonies and utilize space for radical re-imagination
I always felt like my life was shaped and determined by decision makers. Being in this program has allowed me to step up and be part of the decision-making.
Apply to the Community Equity Program
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now available!
Applications will be accepted from May 19-July 18. Read the application to learn more about the application process and schedule.
Join an Info Session to Learn More
Community Equity Program: 2023-2024 Cohort Virtual Info Session 2
-Introducing the Community Equity Crash Course, a new way to engage with the Community Equity Program
The Community Equity Crash Course is a five-week, intensive political and advocacy leadership program designed for BIPOC community members. The program equips participants with the necessary tools to engage meaningfully with the legislative process and ensure that Capitol policies reflect their needs and those of their community.
The Community Equity Crash Course is a condensed version of Wilder's Community Equity Program, whose graduates have gone on to become legislators, mayors, campaign organizers, non-profit leaders, and powerful advocates. The Crash Course is ideal for individuals who cannot commit to the nine-month program required for the Community Equity Program and have minimal or intermediate experience in legislative advocacy. Applications for the Community Equity Crash Course will be available in a few weeks.
If you or someone you know is interested, please email CEP@wilder.org to receive a link to the application and for answers to any inquiries.
2023-2024 Community Equity Program Schedule
Kick off: Friday, September 8 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 9 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.(in-person)
2023-2024 CEP Sessions:
- Friday, September 22 (in person)
- Friday, October 6 & 20 (in person)
- Friday, November 3 & 17 (in person)
- Friday, December 1 (virtual) & 15 (in person)
- Friday, January 5 (virtual) & 19 (in person)
- Friday, February 2 & 16 (in person)
- Friday, March 1 & 15 & 29 (in person)
- Friday, April 12 & 26 (in person)
- Friday, May 10 (in person
Graduation: | May 17 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (in person)
It’s a great learning experience to help anyone who wants to make change actually do it, and give them the confidence and the tools to actually do it.
Meet the Changemakers of the Community Equity Program
Congratulations BIPOC Leaders!
Get to know the members of the 2022-2023 CEP cohort.
Meet the Public Policy Team
Dan Buck
Public Policy Associate Program Manager
Michelle Koffa Dormoh
Community Equity Program Manager
Adrián Rafael Magaña
Director of Public Policy & Community Relations
Stories, Research & Impact

Artist, advocate, organizer, leader and Community Equity Program alumna María Isa is ready to run for the Minnesota State Legislature
María Isa Pérez-Vega is well known in the Twin Cities as an actor, rapper, international recording artist, youth worker and cultural community organizer. This election season, you’ll see the lifelong Saint Paul resident in a new role: po...More about this story »
- Community Equity Program Helps Lindberg Chambliss Advocate for Anti-Racist Education
- Priscilla Villa-Watt Used the Community Equity Program to Enhance her Public Policy Skills While Building a Community
- Community Equity Program Alum Triasia Givens Advocates for Education
- Community Equity Program Gives Experienced Leader Linda Garrett-Johnson a Deeper Understanding of the Legislative Process