Rekindle – To expand the Rekindle Fellowship by enhancing alumni engagement efforts, iterating and codifying the curriculum, and scaling the organization’s capacity to serve additional communities around the country.

What is the Rekindle definition of allyship?

Rekindle aims to foster “relational allyship,” emphasizing that it’s active, visible, and reciprocal, moving beyond performative actions. Rekindle prioritizes building genuine relationships and understanding each other’s experiences, and our cultural exchange program gets Fellows around each other’s dinner tables, in houses of worship, attending arts events, and more. Allyship within Rekindle involves proactively reaching out, listening, engaging with empathy, and building bridges of understanding. Rekindle encourages Fellows to practice allyship through our shared fight for social justice.

Which communities do you plan to expand to nationally, and how did you choose where to start?

Rekindle aims to reach 50 chapters nationally over the next three years. We have launched or are launching in 20 cities, with over 200 alumni nationwide and growing. At least five more cities will launch in 2025. Rekindle utilizes a scalable model, offering free resources and matching seed grants to new communities. This expansion is driven by community interest; we partner with interested organizations and volunteers on the ground, and then empower them with our curriculum, training, and more to bring Rekindle successfully to their community.

How are you hoping to engage alumni of the fellowship?

Rekindle has an active alumni community in Cleveland, hosting monthly events, holiday parties, and informal conversations. For example, our interfaith holiday gatherings, like “Christma-Chanu-Kwanzukah” and a Juneteenth brunch, are the perfect opportunity for Rekindle Fellows and their families to gather. To help everyone stay in touch and share opportunities, we use platforms like a WhatsApp group and LinkedIn posts. This summer, we’ll launch “Rekindle: Ignite” specifically for alumni to reconnect around a shared, meaningful social justice project. Ultimately, we’re not just about a fellowship program; we’re building a lasting community of allies who continue to learn, connect, and take action together.