Dear Emergent Leaders,

Are You Irrationally Investing in Your Community?

Have you ever been called crazy for seeing what others don’t? For believing that the people, resources, and ideas already present in your community can solve its deepest challenges? If so, you might just be one of us.

At the BAM Fellowship in Civic Biodesign, we’re looking for the uncommon. The dreamers. The doers. The ones who see a better future so clearly that they’ve already started walking toward it, often before anyone else has even noticed the path. These aren’t people driven by titles or applause. They’re driven by purpose, by people, and by the relentless pursuit of small wins that build into systemic change.

If that sounds like you—or someone you know—then Hey... our applications for the next fellowship are open. Apply here.

The world doesn’t need more specialists on your project—it needs a well-equipped generalist who can connect the dots. Someone who understands how small actions today ripple into tomorrow’s systems. Someone who can rally people, inspire hope, and roll up their sleeves when the work is hard.

Our fellows aren’t experts in one field—they’re bridge builders across many. They see the potential where others see silos. They believe that transformation happens when big ideas meet practical tools.

Does this resonate with you?

Joining the BAM Fellowship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to ask the right questions. Here are a few to consider:

• What is one small win I could help create in my community that would lead to bigger systemic change?

• How do I amplify the voices of those who are most often left out of civic conversations?

• Where am I accidentally perpetuating systems that need to be dismantled—and how can I start to shift them?

• What do I need to learn—or unlearn—to better serve the future I want to create?

• How can I rally others to help turn my vision for a better community into collective action?

The BAM Fellowship isn’t your typical professional development program. It’s an immersive experience where you’ll dive deep into systems thinking, community design, and real-world problem-solving. You’ll gain tools to turn big ideas into actionable strategies while joining a network of people just as invested in their communities as you are.

Whether you’re already leading initiatives or still figuring out where to start, BAM is about equipping you to make the impact you know is possible.

Hey, our applications for the next fellowship are open. Apply here.

If you’re someone who believes in people, in small wins, and in the power of systems to change, we’d love for you to consider applying. And if this doesn’t sound like the right fit for you, but you know someone who’s irrationally investing in their community, share this with them.

The future is built by those bold enough to see it—and work toward it—before anyone else does. Let’s do this together.

Sincerely,

Clint Brown, Executive Director