BLI Cohort 2026

Applications Now Closed!

BLI Cohort 2026 Applications Now Closed!

BLI Cohort 2026

You’re Not Leading Wrong. You’re Leading in a System That Wasn’t Built for You.

If you’re grappling with the challenges of leading a multiracial, multicultural institution, Brava Leadership Institute (BLI) is built for you. And we’re taking applications for our 2026 Cohort.

Too many leaders are trying to steward their organizations using “best practices” and models that were never designed for inclusion or shared power. As a result, when internal tensions inevitably reach a boiling point, many feel frustrated, confused, and angry. 

At Brava Leaders we believe it’s time to create something new. New practices, norms, and skills that make multiracial, multicultural institutions–which we define as at least 20% BIPOC and 40% women and femmes at all levels of leadership–work.

The Brava Leadership Institute (BLI), entering its third year, is a year-long experience for the exploration and creation of the new rules of leadership. In a dynamic cohort of up to 25 leaders you’ll learn, reflect, and experiment with leading in equitable ways that sustain your people, your mission, and yourself.

What You’ll Gain

  • A deeper understanding of your relationship to power

  • Space to examine internalized biases and rebuild team culture

  • Tools to make and communicate hard decisions

  • Strategies for managing tension and tradeoffs with integrity

  • A community of peers who understand the stakes of your leadership

A Testimonial from Andre Carr

A Testimonial from Michelle Espino-Lira

  • BLI is designed for leaders with consequential decision-making authority and who are balancing financial sustainability, culture, and impact/product within their institutions. Titles vary; while executives, directors, or founders often have this kind of power, the program is not limited to them. What matters is responsibility. Additionally, applicants must work at multiracial, multicultural institutions, where at least 20% BIPOC and 40% women and femmes are at all levels of leadership.

  • This institute is being led specifically through a pro-Black, pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQIA+, pro-working class, pro-disability justice lens. Participants are signing up to learn a vulnerable leadership style that examines systems. This requires robust participation to be effective.  Please read through our ethos, beliefs, and values on our website to ensure this kind of development and support is a fit for you. 

  • The BLI 2026 cohort is a hybrid program. We will retreat in person two times in Pasadena, CA. The cohort will also meet online twice a month for cohort training and peer coaching. 

    We ask that you plan for 100% participation at all scheduled cohort activities to complete the full program.

    In-Person Training (Los Angeles, CA)
    March 3, 4, 5  (9am - 5pm PT)
    November 10, 11, 12  (9am - 5pm PT)

    Virtual Zoom Sessions:

    Peer Coaching (90 minutes) on Fridays from 10am - 11:30am PT / 1pm - 2:30pm ET:

    March 27, April 24, May 29, July 10, August 21, September 25

    Cohort Training (3.5 hours) on Fridays from 10am - 1:30pm PT / 1pm - 4:30pm ET:

    April 10, May 8, June 12, August 7, September 11, October 9

  • The tuition cost for our 2026 Cohort is $2,500 plus the cost of travel (flight, hotel, ground transportation, etc…) for our two in person gatherings in Pasadena/Los Angeles, CA.

    The operational cost per person is typically $8k to $12k based on your institutional budget. With financial support from Marguerite Casey Foundation  we are able to significantly subsidize the tuition. If the cost is prohibitive, please reach out.

  • While Brava Leaders has zero issue with participants talking about their experiences, good or bad, but we do want to secure privacy for leaders who are going to be sharing about organization challenges. As such, we will be asking every participant to sign an NDA that they will not disclose private information about any other participant and their institution to the public.

  • The primary facilitator for this program is immunocompromised and we want to create an ability inclusive environment. All participants will be asked to honor Covid protocols for our in-person event. This will include the use of N95’s in any indoor space (bathrooms). All participants will be asked to use N95 masks in the airport and airplane to the event, use provided tests each day, and to refrain from participation if they have any cold/flu/covid-like symptoms.