October 28th marked the start of the Fall 2024 fellowship retreat, bringing together both first- and second-year fellows in New York City. Our retreat began on a crisp autumn day in front of the Whitney Museum, where Sarika, a second-year fellow, had planned the first day of activities. The day at the Whitney set the tone for a week filled with professional development, bonding, and more. It was inspiring to hear about the work the other fellows were taking ownership of at their host organizations. At the museum, we gained valuable insight into their efforts to expand access to the arts, particularly through the Alt Text initiative, which makes art more accessible to blind and low-vision individuals.

On Tuesday, we visited the Year Up United office, where we participated in an implicit bias workshop and an elevator pitch workshop. Later, we gathered at the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store at Rockefeller Center to connect with trustees and alumni fellows. It was fascinating to learn how similar our fellowship experiences were in many ways, while also hearing about the unique paths others have taken. The evening also gave us a chance to practice our elevator pitches once again as we introduced ourselves to new faces.

The next day, the fellows traveled to an elementary school in East Harlem for an introduction to Reading Partners. Shraddha and I delivered an introductory presentation about our organization’s mission and our respective roles. We also facilitated a tutor panel with some of our tutors. Clara Monk (a former fellow at Reading Partners who now works on our national team) spoke about the importance of cultivating a growth mindset. Later, Primo Lasana, our Executive Director at Reading Partners NYC, shared his own career journey and the “why” behind the work we do. In the afternoon, we visited the Museum of the City of New York, where Alex, a first-year fellow at the museum, led a tour of the Shirley Chisholm Gallery and facilitated an activity that illustrated each fellow’s personal journey to the fellowship. 

On Thursday, we visited the Bronx Early Childhood Center, where Sabrina, a second-year fellow at Jumpstart, led us in a literacy activity with young children. We then went to Jumpstart’s office for a development workshop, where we practiced mock pitches to donors and received valuable feedback. The day ended with us working together to create literacy kits. I was particularly drawn to Jumpstart because of its shared focus on early literacy, which aligns closely with Reading Partners.

Beyond the week’s structured activities, the retreat’s real magic came from the opportunity to connect with my fellow cohort members. Learning about the unique experiences each of us brought to our roles at our respective organizations was inspiring. While we all share a deep passion for social impact, our individual backgrounds and perspectives enrich the work we do. Hearing about each other’s accomplishments and passions strengthened the sense of camaraderie and our admiration for each other. Outside of our conversations about work and professional interests, we explored Manhattan and Brooklyn, ate delicious food, and bonded over common interests. Some fellows even revealed hidden talents like palm-reading.

In the short span of a week, I walked away from the retreat feeling more confident, both personally and professionally. I felt validated sharing experiences with each other and more focused on achieving my goals for the fellowship. It was incredibly refreshing and meaningful to interact with people from diverse backgrounds who share a genuine passion for their organizations’ missions and their impact. I’m already looking forward to the next retreat in Philly!