Georgia Leadership Lab

The Georgia Leadership Lab is a five-month experience for local immigrant rights advocates seeking to strengthen their transformative leadership and storytelling skills. The experience supports a cohort of leaders who have sought to improve or enrich the lives of Georgia’s immigrant and refugee communities through community involvement.

Georgia Leadership Lab Fellows participate in two three-day convenings, monthly trainings, and peer-to-peer coaching sessions. Fellows build their confidence as leaders, accelerate their capacities to build influence, and develop storytelling skills for advocacy and narrative change. The cohort also builds connections among community partners from diverse communities.

Georgia Leadership Lab 2026

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta invites you to apply to the Georgia Leadership Lab. The Georgia Leadership Lab is a 6-month cohort-based experience for local immigrant rights advocates seeking to strengthen their skills in storytelling, narrative power, and transformative leadership.

The Georgia Leadership Lab will select up to 14 fellows who have sought to improve or enrich the lives of immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities in Georgia through their work at a local direct services and advocacy organization. Fellows will join a cohort of professionals who are creating an ecosystem of narrative power.

Program Components

Fellows will participate in

Two 3-day convenings
Three 1.5-hour monthly meetings
Three hour-long peer support sessions
Presentation on project completed by fellow during the 6-month program
A capstone public storytelling event.

Applicants are encouraged to apply in pairs from organizations. Each person will be expected to submit an individual application.

Fellows will also receive a $1,000 stipend to support their participation in the Lab.

Application & Program Timeline

Application deadline: March 13
Acceptance notification: April 3.
Program period: May - September 2026

Apply now at bit.ly/gll2026

For more information, contact: jlee@advancingjustice-atlanta.org

APPLY TODAY!

Testimonials

“The program gave me space to reflect on my leadership style, learn new tools for collaboration and problem-solving, and connect with a diverse network of leaders across the state. It was a safe environment to practice, grow, and take away skills I can immediately apply in my work and community.”

Melissa Castaneda, Gwinnett Coalition, 2025 GLL Fellow
“A transformational fellowship that encourages participants to look inward and connect the dots on how their past experiences shape the work that they do today. It felt liberating to be in a space where I felt I could voice my aspirations of what I want my best self to look like."

Lizette Guevara, Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Athens, 2024 GLL Fellow
"My experience has been incredibly eye-opening. Being surrounded by more experienced organizers initially felt a bit intimidating, but it quickly became a space where I could learn. I realized my unique voice and experiences as a young immigrant brought fresh insights to the table."

Nathania Adhisty, Common Power, 2024 GLL Fellow
"I had a wonderful time gaining new skills and creating relationships with colleagues across the state. I learned communications skills that integrate well with advocacy and organizing principles. This has helped me create more comprehensive strategies for my work."

Urooj Ali, Georgia Muslim Voter Project, 2024 GLL Fellow
“It was great meeting other people in similar organizations dealing with immigrants rights in Georgia. I love that we learned about our own organizing styles and how different people can work together. It was amazing to learn about leadership from a community organizing perspective.”

Leena Ali, Advocacy Coordinator, Migrant Equity Southeast, 2023 GLL Fellow
“As a result of Georgia Leadership Lab, I have made new friends, discovered new resources and found the environment that I had been missing for many years — one that includes immigrants and other AAPI individuals.”

Ruth Youn, Director of Operations, Asian American Voices for Education, 2023 GLL Fellow
“I loved learning our leadership style and hearing each other's stories.”

Brittany Lopez, Civic Engagement Coordinator, U-Lead Athens, 2023 GLL Fellow