Apply to the BCLI

Urban Habitat’s Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) trains and supports leaders from low-income communities of color to influence housing, transportation, and land use policies as decision makers. We work with leaders committed to advancing equitable policies, assist them throughout their placement process, and provide individualized support throughout their commission service.

The BCLI training helps participants understand complex and intersecting policy arenas, navigate the culture and language of commissions, and build effective relationships.

The training consists of hubs and spokes. The hub is the full cohort at six all-day workshops which occur once a month on a Saturday. The spokes are sub-cohorts by city and/or county that meet monthly four times on a weeknight.

In addition, participants are required to attend four monthly webinars. Please check the 2024 schedule below to make sure you are able to attend all of the mandatory sessions before applying.

Why Apply?

• Deepen your knowledge of and ability to advance equitable transportation, housing, and land use policies by understanding how it intersects with race and class. You will gain insight on ways to prioritize the needs of historically disenfranchised communities.
• Learn commissioner skills such as power mapping, Robert’s Rules of Order, and how to apply an inside/outside strategy.
• Participate in a facilitated learning community of field experts, trainers, advocate commissioners, grassroots organizers, and elected officials who will share best practices, lessons learned, and key concepts.
• Join a network of social justice advocates influencing policy decisions on local and regional commissions.