Join the 2025 BCLI cohort!
(To apply you will need to sign in to a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, please contact us.)
Applications are due on Sunday, November 17, 11:59 pm
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 by helping them throughout their placement process and providing 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.
Why Apply?
- Deepen your knowledge of and the ability to advance equitable transportation, housing, and land use policies by understanding how it intersects with race and class.
- 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, 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.
Informational sessions provide an opportunity for interested candidates to hear from alumni who have gone through the training and are current or former commissioners. We will be hosting two informational webinars, one on Wednesday, September 18 at 12:00 pm and another on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:00 pm.
In addition to the webinars, we will be hosting in-person informational sessions:
- San Francisco – Monday, September 23 at 6:00 pm, hosted by PODER.
- San Mateo – Thursday, October 3 at 4:30 pm, hosted by Youth Leadership Institute.
- Oakland – Tuesday, October 8 at 6:00 pm hosted by Urban Habitat
We will be updating the website regularly with additional in-person informational sessions. Sign up to receive our newsletters, if you’re not already on our list. This is the best way to stay updated.
Go to the BCLI application webpage for more information about the application process and program details, as well as to register for in-person informational sessions.