Akili Fellowship (Boston)

About Flourish Agenda 

Flourish Agenda is a national nonprofit consulting firm that works with youth of color, schools, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and local governments to build and implement strategies that allow young people to flourish. We are a mighty team of trainers, researchers, educators, movers, and shakers that equip schools, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and local governments with tools and strategies that allow young people of color to flourish. For more than 30 years, we have put our whole hearts into this. This is love work! 

 

Our Values 

• Self-reflection – taking responsibility, honesty, integrity and the ability to engage in ongoing self-reflection. 
• Possibility thinking – Bold creativity and innovative problem solving for our organization and clients. 
• Transformative relationships – Cultivating ways to work collaboratively together. We are a team, and teamwork makes a difference for clients and communities. 
• Well-Being – Flexibility, fun and work life balance that supports the whole person 
• Justice – Fairness, and belonging that recognizes diverse ideas, culture, ethnicity, gender expression. 
• Accountability & Grace – Accepting responsibility for one’s actions and compassion for people when they make mistakes. 

 

Akili Fellowship Description 

Flourish is partnering with Boston Public Schools and the Boston Public Health Commission to host our renowned Akili Summer Healing Retreat in Boston this Summer 2026. Flourish Agenda are seeking Fellows to support youth during the retreat experience at TechBoston Academy. The Akili Fellowship is a program designed to transform the way youth development providers support youth of color and their families. 

The fellowship is based on the Healing Centered Engagement (HCE) approach, which was developed by Dr. Shawn Ginwright and focuses on transformative leadership and healing centered approaches to support youth of color and their families. This model uniquely melds together transformative youth and adult development, social justice principles, personal healing, and cultural transformation. 

 

Fellows engage in a transformational experience to build their youth development, community engagement and leadership skills. Fellows will also engage in pre-retreat orientation to support youth and their families with implanting the healing approach. 

  

The role of the Akili Fellow will be two-fold; 

 

One: The Training Experience  

Fellows will be expected to: 

• Attend mandatory staff trainings (Virtual & in-person)  
• Complete HCE Certification process via Flourish Agenda’s virtual platform 
• Mandated reporter training  
• Background Checks 
• Among other safety trainings & requirements

 

Two: The Applied Experience 

The Akili Fellow will be assigned to a tribe of about 8-10 youth each and guide them in the retreat experience. Fellows will be required to attend a youth and family orientation prior to the retreat in preparation for youth programming and engagement. The Fellows’ role is to build community through small group breakout sessions throughout the retreat. The time that participants spend in their tribes enables each person more time to process concepts and emotions related to the Healing Centered Engagement approach.  

 

Some of the specific tasks that the Fellows may be asked to do during the four-day retreat include: 

• Facilitate learning of retreat concepts during Tribe breakout discussions and workshops. 
• Ensure on-time transition of Tribes between workshops and activities making sure all participants are present.  
• Check in on participants who need additional follow up periodically throughout the retreat.  
• Solve interpersonal conflict using restorative approaches. 
• Guide and direct youth to outside support (healing team) 
• Communicate with challenging participants using an open heart and mind.  
• Participate in logistics meetings at the end of each day. 
• Participate in and/or lead energizers. 
• Other duties may be assigned based on the track which the Fellow chooses. Tracks may include: Healing, Facilitating, Operations and others.  

 

Fellowship Dates  

Akili Summer Healing Retreat will be held during the week of July 13th - 17th. Availability the week of July 13th is non-negotiable and is a requirement for this position. All fellowship activities and meetings leading up to Akili Summer Healing Retreat are mandatory, onboarding starts the week of June 1st. 

This fellow role is projected to have 100 - 105 hours of work; although, hours may fluctuate depending on program needs. Typically work days will be between 4 - 6 hours. Please connect with Flourish Agenda during the interview process to clarify any questions you may have.

Selection Criteria 

• Strong interest in and/or experience working with youth of color and their families 
• An openness and desire to critically analyze the root causes of oppression 
• Openness to new ideas and willingness to actively participate in all activities 
• Commitment to participate in all trainings and activities  
• Commitment support youth leading up to and during the retreat experience 
• Over 21 years old  
• Successful clearance of agency’s safety screens (all Fellows will be fingerprinted and complete background checks for Flourish Agenda and BPS) 
• Diverse personality traits which reflect the diversity of the youth and families we serve 
• Commitment to personal growth and transformation 
• Commitment to supporting youth and families of color around healing and well-being 
• Ability to relate to the lived experiences of the youth and families 

 

Compensation  

Fellows will be paid an hourly wage of $25 an hour, dependent on experience. The position will be as a Temporary employee with payments will be paid through Flourish’s payroll system. 

DEADLINE: Applications are due by May 27, 2026

Flourish Agenda is a national nonprofit consulting firm that works with youth of color, schools, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and local governments to build and implement strategies that allow young people to flourish.