Thank you for your interest in applying to be a part of the eleventh (2027) DEAL Racial Equity Fellowship cohort. The DEAL 11 - 2027 application opens Saturday, August 1, 2026, and closes on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm. The fellowship orientation will launch on January 14 and 15, 2027. Attendance at both orientation days is MANDATORY. 

At the Detroit Equity Action Lab (DEAL), we develop leaders who work to end structural racism. We equip leaders with tools to disrupt racism and create equitable alternatives in culture, policy, and practice in Detroit.  

Through our Racial Equity Fellowship, we bring together people and organizations working in many dimensions of racial equity, including the arts and media, community development, education, environmental justice, food security, public health, and other areas of expertise. Together, they develop a shared analysis of structural racism and white supremacy to build a toolkit for creating equitable alternatives. Who can apply?

• We welcome emerging and experienced leaders with a deep commitment to racial equity from all of Detroit's ethnic and racial groups, gender identities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
• Applicants working/volunteering for groups and organizations (or as individuals) in a wide variety of sectors and various levels of budgets and experience, from volunteer-based organizations to nonprofits and beyond, are welcome to apply.
• We accept applicants who live or work in Detroit or the metropolitan area.
• We accept applicants whose work or volunteerism directly impacts Detroit.
• We accept applicants 18 years or older.

Find more information about our fellowship program, including FAQs on who can apply, fellowship commitments, and more here.

How to respond to application questions

This application was designed to get to know YOU. Applications are confidential and shared only with our jury of reviewers. We encourage you to respond to the questions truthfully and authentically. One of our core values is being human-centered, and we honor lived experience. Your vulnerability is welcome here.

Racial equity work looks different for everyone.

The DEAL defines racial equity work very broadly. We acknowledge that activism and movement work can look different for all of us. This work, like leadership, can occur out front, in the middle, and in the background. The DEAL values all types of racial equity work, seen and unseen. If you have meaningfully supported or participated in ending structural racism in any way, you have done racial equity work. For example, it is more than protesting or a job title; it is also providing nourishment for the protesters. There are multiple ways to do this work that honor and respect your capacity, time, energy, and other resources. Please do not downplay your experiences. This application is an opportunity to revisit and share your work with us. 

DEAL AI Statement for Application Submissions

The DEAL application is intended to help our jury of reviewers assess your understanding and analysis of racial equity, along with your racial equity work and leadership experience. We value lived experience and the lessons leaders have learned from it, as they strengthen the cohort experience.  We are not looking for perfect responses, language, or grammar. We want your honest voice.