Immigrants Lead Boston
A program for Boston immigrants who wish to become leaders in the community.
Our summer 2025 course begins on August 20, 2025.
Apply by July 18th! Attend a virtual information session on July 10, from 6 to 7 pm, to learn more.
Sign up for our newsletter to get program updates.
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Questions? Contact:
Immigrant Advancement
About
Immigrants Lead Boston is a program by the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) for Boston immigrants who wish to take more civic ownership and become leaders in the community. For the sixth iteration of the program, MOIA will partner with CHIC Community Engagement Consulting, a local organization that supports and empowers immigrant communities.
The program is a 10-week course for selected residents. They will meet key officials from the City of Boston and learn how to navigate the local government effectively. The goal is for these participants to become leaders in their communities, sharing what they learned with others and becoming civically active on issues that matter to them. Ideal candidates are emerging leaders committed to advocating for their immigrant community within the local City of Boston government. Participants will receive a scholarship.
This will be its 6th program of Immigrants Lead Boston.
MORE DETAILS:
- Watch a previous information session.
- Immigrants Lead Boston started in fall 2020. Read the press release announcing the program.
More Details:
- Access the multilingual application here.
- There is no application fee. You must be at least 18 years old and a Boston resident to apply.
- Interested applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of their immigration status.
- People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Please see the "common questions" section of this website for more details.
- Applications will be reviewed and participants will be notified by August 4, 2025.
- The summer 2025 course is from August 20 to October 22.
Participants
Participants
Common questions
Common questionsImmigrants Lead Boston will provide participants with learning experiences and connections. The program can help advance your path forward as a leader, professional, and advocate in your community.
The program aims to build on participants’ knowledge, skills, and relationships. We want them to be effective leaders and ambassadors for their communities. Participants will grow their ability to navigate City government, engage with City officials, and advocate for their communities. Topics include:
- civic engagement and community organizing
- how to find your purpose and share your story through public narrative
- building leadership teams to make your dreams of community change real
- economic mobility opportunities for yourself and your community
- housing access and advocacy
- shelter and emergency housing
- rent stabilization
- homeownership and social housing
- public health and community mental health and wellbeing
- designing for public safety in your community
- safe communities act
- Public education, student services, and tuition equity, tuition free community college
- racism equity
Each participant will take part in civic engagement activities throughout the program. They will apply the skills, knowledge, and relationships formed during the course to learn how to address issues and advocate for their communities.
Candidates must be Boston residents, immigrants, proficient in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole, and at least 18 years old. They also need to be able to commit 4 hours a week. Candidates must be committed to:
- learning civic engagement and leadership skills
- engaging with City of Boston government and officials, and
- leading and supporting their immigrant communities.
Not everyone who applies will be selected. Only selected candidates will be eligible to receive the scholarship.
The summer 2025 course is 10 weeks, from August 20 to October 22, 2025. It includes a welcome ceremony, eight content-rich sessions, and a graduation ceremony. Classes are on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 pm and Saturdays. The summer 2025 course will be hybrid, with both in-person and virtual sessions. Participants must attend all ceremonies and sessions and engage in civic activities outside of the sessions.
- In-person: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm — Welcome Ceremony & Session 1
- Virtual: Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 6 – 9 pm — Session 2
- In-person: Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9 am – 3 pm — 1st day of a 2.5-day training — Session 3
- Virtual: Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6 – 9 pm — Session 4
- In-person: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 9 am – 3 pm — 2nd day of a 2.5-day training — Session 3 continued
- Virtual: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6 – 9 pm — Session 5
- In-person: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11 am – 2 pm — Session 6
- Virtual: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 6 – 9 pm — Session 7
- In-person: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11 am – 2 pm — Session 8
- In-person: Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 6 – 8 pm — Graduation
Each participant will receive a scholarship of $575. The full amount of the scholarship will be distributed at the end of the program. Participants are expected to fully take part in the sessions, projects, and activities of the program. If there is an emergency and participants cannot attend a session, they will need to immediately communicate with the program coordinator to make up for the missed session.
The scholarship rewards participants for their time and commitment to learn, lead, and advocate for their communities. Because not every resident can make this commitment without support, this scholarship ensures equitable access to government for all residents.
We will work with you to make sure you have access to the technology you need to take part in this program.
There is no application fee to apply. Only selected candidates are eligible for the scholarship. You can find more information in our online form.
The deadline to apply for the summer 2025 course is July 18, 2025. We will notify selected applicants by August 4, 2025.
Who's Involved:
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Questions? Contact:
Immigrant Advancement
