A Celebration of the Next Generation of Racial Equity Leaders: Greenlining’s 2025 Leadership Academy Graduation
For over 30 years, The Greenlining Institute has been cultivating the next generation of racial equity leaders as part of our mission to bring lasting, transformative change for communities of color. Through our Leadership Academy, we welcome multi-racial college students and early career professionals committed to shaping policy, challenging systemic barriers, and carrying the implementation of equity forward to join us in advancing our vision for a just future.
In the fall of 2024, we welcomed our latest Fellowship cohort — six changemakers who would go on to spend the next year doing hands-on policy work, meeting with legislators, penning blogs and reports, diving deep in professional development workshops, and working closely with and learning from Greenlining staff. This cohort of Fellows also had a lot to teach us! Through facilitating activities, workshops, and presentations for all staff, they educated Greenliners on topics like equitable A.I. usage and the opportunities to leverage AI to advance our work, safe protesting practices for activists and advocates alike, and the history, language, and culture of the native Tlingit people of Alaska.
Meet our Graduates
This year’s Leadership Academy cohort brought passion, vision, and a hunger for the work. As the organization navigated major shifts and challenges, the Fellows worked tirelessly to drive our work forward. From responding to a new federal administration openly hostile to communities of color and an equity agenda, to shaping state legislation to address emerging threats our communities face, the Fellows lit a fire under all of us to keep pushing forward — remaining committed, energized, and adaptable.
This year’s cohort came to Greenlining with a diverse range of experiences, education and hopes for their contribution to a just future.
The 2024 -2025 Fellows:
“[Through the Fellowship], I was able to take ownership…and build a foundation of knowledge on my area of work and learn how to communicate about it well.”
Angel Lin, Technology Equity Fellow
“The fellowship truly brought incredibly sharp and committed colleagues, who’ve become an important part of my community…who challenge me, help me grow, and share meaningful camaraderie together.”
Dohee Kim, Legislative Fellow
“[Through the Fellowship], I built a network and created everlasting friendships. There were a lot of things I needed to overcome, but I grew from this experience.”
Eva Pitts, Community Development Fellow
“Never have I ever experienced so much passion, compassion, empathy, and dedication in the workplace, [inspiring] me beyond anything that I could have possibly imagined before I set foot in the building.”
Gyasi Pigott, Climate Equity Fellow
“The most valuable part of the fellowship was the intentional space to build a deep community with my cohort and the mentorship I received from experienced policy leaders.”
Swelihle “Sweswe” Tembe, Economic Equity Fellow
“[The Fellowship gave me] a chance to better understand what roles and specialties exist within racial and climate equity spaces….[and] what I would like my career to look like and what work is available to me.”
Sydney Guthrie, Climate Equity Fellow
A Community Celebration
On August 8th, Greenlining opened our doors to friends, family, Greenlining Academy Alumni members, staff and board for our Academy Graduation ceremony. We gathered to celebrate the work our Fellows embarked on during their 11 months, listen to their reflections, and experience beautiful art, music, and poetry.
We extend our gratitude to Mariachi San Carlos and Yosimar Reyes, Santa Clara County Poet Laureate for filling the Resistance Hall with beautiful music and spoken word poetry that brought everyone to their feet! As well as Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Mayor Barbara Lee for offering words of encouragement and formal proclamations to our Fellows.
Graduates heard well wishes from Greenlining staff, and were inducted into the Greenlining Academy Alumni Association from Board members who went through the Academy in years past.
“Walk forward with clarity. With a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead and an even sharper vision for what’s possible and your power to shape it.”
Yesenia Perez, Greenlining’s Climate Equity Sr. Program Manager & Fellow Supervisor
To close the ceremony, graduates heard from Olga Talamante, Interim President and CEO and Chagan Sanathu, Chief of Staff and Academy Team support about just how impactful this experience has been – for both the Fellows and the organization. These two leaders held the program and each cohort member up through the challenges and accomplishments of the year – as evidenced by the expressions of gratitude for them showcased in each Fellow’s speech during the ceremony.
Looking Forward…
Throughout challenging times, it’s more important than ever to pour into moments of gathering, celebration, and taking stock of all that we have been able to accomplish under difficult circumstances. The 2025 Leadership Academy Graduation ceremony and celebration held space for our Greenlining community to do that and honor this cohort of Fellows in honor of all that they accomplished at the organization. We wish them the best of luck in continuing to advance equity in the next chapter of their careers and we remind them that they always have the Greenlining family cheering them on.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
