Spark new ideas
At 50CAN, we lift up those who share our positive vision for the future. We believe our national and local fellowships can be a primary driver in ensuring that new ideas are sparked in communities across the country.
OUR FELLOWS
At 50CAN, we believe in cultivating the next generation of idea leadership through fellowship programs and networking. These programs aim to unite people across divisions and support emerging leaders in fostering the spread of new ideas.
Aditi Goel
“There aren’t many safe spaces to talk, debate, and question anymore. National Voices offers that space with a clear focus, hands-on training and a community to learn from, share with and have fun along the way. Because of National Voices, I know more clearly how to frame messages and build narratives that build bridges. I have people in my corner to whom I can ask any and all questions. I can get substantive feedback and support for my work in real time.”
Arthur Samuels
“National Voices allowed me to translate my passion for the work I do on the ground into a broad advocacy platform to create broad and deeply impactful change. It stretched my thinking and expanded my skill-set in a lasting (and really fun) way.”
Michelle Mason
“National Voices was the best media and communications training that I’ve had in my 20 years experience in education. The quality of the coursework, the intentionality of the leaders and the life-long friendships made are invaluable. I will forever appreciate my experience.”
In the Media
Our staff, fellows and advocates are taking center stage in driving forward the conversation and ideas that will make up the future of American education.
What Makes Fellowships at 50CAN Different
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- Cohorts of fellows are deliberately diverse and selected to work across differences.
- Focused on collaboration and moving the most positive ideas to reality.
- 80% of alumni report career and professional network growth as a result of participation.
- Individualized to build your personal brand, expose you to new terrain and get your ideas into the world.
SPARK
National Voices Fellowship
Ideas for the future need to be communicated to grow public awareness that change is needed and possible. Our flagship fellowship founded in 2019, National Voices, is a program designed to strengthen the leadership and public profiles of the next generation of bipartisan commentators, correspondents and analysts across the education sector.
Applications for the 2026 cohort of National Voices will open in autumn of 2025.
SPARK
New York Voices Fellowship
New York–once a pioneer for student-centered education policy under the leadership of Michael Bloomberg and Joel Klein–has seen progress threatened by organized opposition and growing partisanship in education. The first local imprint of our National Voices Fellowship centers on our nation’s largest school district and the ideas that will power its improvement.
