Baltimore, MD | October 7, 2024 – CLLCTIVLY is proud to announce the launch of the Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship, hosting its first cohort of social impact leaders in partnership with the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of Pennsylvania. This transformative initiative is designed to equip social impact leaders in Baltimore with the tools, resources, and networks necessary to drive meaningful social change within the community.
The inaugural cohort includes 18 dynamic social impact leaders from Baltimore, all dedicated to tackling critical issues within the city. From October 2024 to March 2025, each fellow will receive $2,000 per month, ensuring they have the financial resources to fully engage in this intensive six-month program. This stipend is aimed at addressing inequities and creating an inclusive environment, reflecting CLLCTIVLY’s deep commitment to fostering social innovation and justice in Baltimore.
The fellowship honors the legacy of Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin, visionary founders of the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. Known for their dedication to education, social justice, and cultural preservation, the Martins’ groundbreaking work continues to shape the field of social work through influential research such as “The Helping Tradition in the Black Family and Community,” “The Black Extended Family,” and “Spirituality and the Black Helping Tradition in Social Work.”
“We are thrilled to host this inaugural cohort in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s CSIS. This program honors the remarkable legacy of Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin and invests in the future of Baltimore by equipping social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to lead transformative change,” said Jamye Wooten, Founder of CLLCTIVLY. “With the guidance of Dr. Yanique Redwood, our scholar-practitioner in residence, we are embedding liberatory leadership principles into the fellowship design, and we look forward to seeing the innovative solutions and leadership that will emerge.”
Ariel Schwartz, PhD, Managing Director of CSIS at the University of Pennsylvania, expressed her excitement: “I am so proud and excited that The Center for Social Impact Strategy will support this important and historic initiative. I am thrilled to be working with CLLCTIVLY to provide tools, resources, and a learning platform that will empower these fellows to grow their social ventures and invest in themselves.”
Out of 105 applicants, the 18 inaugural fellows were selected for their dedication to Baltimore, their willingness to address challenges as social entrepreneurs, and their capacity to adapt to evolving circumstances. The cohort reflects a commitment to diversity and aligns with core values such as collective power, African-centered practice, collaboration, healing, and love.
Inaugural Fellows:
- Dawnita Brown – Binti Circle
- Agzja S. Carey – Crayons and Culture
- Candace Chance – Ecosystem Awareness Software for Everyone (EASE)
- LaQuida Chancey – Smalltimore Homes
- Sola Ekunseitan – The Sola System
- Rashida Forman-Bey – WombWork Productions
- Brion Gill – Black Arts District
- Brittany Janay Harris (Kess) – In Loving Accountability Coaching and Consulting
- NaShey Ingram – Playful Minds Therapy
- Bakari Jones – Zora’s Room
- Paula Langford – The Healing Institute Global
- Alphonso Mayo – Mentoring Mentors
- Muhammad Najeeullah – FullBlast STEAM
- Dominic K. Nell – City Weeds
- Nneka Nnamdi – Fight Blight Bmore
- Jennifer West – Plant Mama Alchemy
- Kisha L. Webster – Greenmount West Community Center Foundation
- Dionne Joyner-Weems – MyBmore
The Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation.
“We are proud to support the Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship because it empowers local leaders driving meaningful change in Baltimore. By investing in these social entrepreneurs, we’re fostering innovation and creating lasting, equitable impact in our communities.” — Traci Horne, Vice President + Sr. Philanthropy & Community Impact Specialist, Wells Fargo Philanthropy & Community Impact Group
For more information about the Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship and how you can support or engage with these innovative leaders, please visit www.cllctivly.org
About CLLCTIVLY:
CLLCTIVLY is a place-based social change organization located in Baltimore, Maryland. By reclaiming our stories, deepening our knowledge, and strategically allocating resources, we build regenerative ecosystems that support our collective liberation. Since our launch in 2019, we have mobilized over $3,000,000 to support Black-led social change in Greater Baltimore.
