The Culture Lab: A Fellowship for Transforming Classrooms

The Culture Lab: A Fellowship for Transforming Classrooms is a transformative program under the Classroom Culture umbrella, designed to empower educators to reimagine and design inclusive, equitable, and impactful classroom environments. This fellowship identifies and nurtures current teachers committed to fostering student-centered spaces where every learner thrives. Through intentional mentorship, collaborative learning, and actionable strategies, fellows will develop the skills, tools, and confidence to cultivate classroom cultures that inspire change, ignite potential, and champion diversity.

Together, we are cultivating classrooms that change lives.

Program Element Description

Duration 6 months

Target Audience Educators seeking to transform and improve classroom culture

Fellowship Cohorts Initial cohorts of 2-4 fellows per region (NYC, DC) with expansion in future years

Workshops - Monthly virtual/in-person sessions covering key topics (identity, pedagogy, mental health, etc.) - Includes discussion, reflection, and action planning

Mentorship - Paired mentors to guide fellows throughout the program - Regional Directors provide additional support

Action Plans - Develop a classroom transformation action plan - Refined throughout the fellowship and presented at the end

Community Building - Networking opportunities with fellows and educators - Regular check-ins for collaboration and support

Stipend Stipend offered to fellows to support their participation and classroom transformation

Final Presentation Fellows present their classroom transformation plans and reflect on their growth at the end of the program

Alumni Network Fellows join an alumni network with access to ongoing resources, professional development, and support

Key Dates

• Applications Open: September 15th, 2025

• Application Deadline: November 1st, 2025

• Fellows Announced: December 12th, 2025

• Program Begins: January 12th, 2026

• Final Showcase: June 5th, 2026

Kristen N. Briggs — Norwalk, CT

Kristen N. Briggs is a special educator, organizational strategist, and leadership coach with over 15 years of experience driving complex organizational change across education and nonprofit sectors. She is the founder and principal consultant of BWEL Consulting Group, where she partners with education leaders and teams to enhance impact through strategic development, systems design, and collaborative leadership. Kristen is also the founder of the Black Women Educators' League (BWEL)—an organization committed to cultivating and retaining Black women leaders in education through tailored learning experiences, developmental supports, and community-centered resources. A proud graduate of Morgan State University, a National Treasure, Kristen holds a B.S. in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with Special Education certification from Chestnut Hill College.

Mandii Brown — Nashville, TN

Mandii is a seasoned mental health professional, community advocate, and survivor of domestic violence and suicide whose personal journey fuels her fierce commitment to healing and justice. Originally from Chicago, she now lives in Nashville and holds degrees in African American Studies and Family and Child Studies from Northern Illinois University, along with master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Restorative Justice. She currently serves as a Community Reintegration Specialist with three Nashville nonprofits, supporting justice-impacted youth and adults. Mandii also sits on the boards of Recycle & Reinvest and Nashville Peacemakers, works as a part-time therapist with Black Mental Health Village, and speaks regularly at conferences and universities. A strong voice for trauma-informed care in schools and nonprofits, she is most proud to be a mother to three neurodivergent children, advocating daily for their right to thrive in inclusive spaces. Additionally, Mandii is the founder of The Relatable Counselor, learn more here ,

Yves-Nelly J. Lavaud — New York, NY

Nelly is the Special Education Coordinator at Law, Advocacy, and Criminal Justice High School, where she brings 16 years of experience ensuring that students with disabilities get the support they need to succeed. She coordinates IEPs and triennial meetings, collaborates with school psychologists, and makes sure her students’ voices are heard and their plans followed. Originally from Brooklyn by way of Haiti, Nelly holds degrees from Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn College, and Long Island University. Outside of work, she’s a wife, a mom to an amazing little girl, and a devoted reader of fantasy and romance. She’s also a published author, with her essay featured in Why the Sun Rises: The Voices of Women in Education, and plans to continue writing. Nelly shares her love of reading with book recommendations. Learn more here .

Shannon McFadden, MS, CPRP, CFRP, CRPPA — Baltimore, MD

Shannon is a dedicated mental health professional, educator, and community leader with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with diverse abilities. She holds a BA in Psychology from Spelman College and an MS in Forensic Psychology from Walden University. Shannon is currently the Director of Behavioral Health Programming at a nonprofit serving youth and adults with special needs, and she also runs the Jerome McFadden Educational Center, where she works as a trauma-informed trainer, parenting coach, and workshop facilitator. She chairs the Maryland Governor’s Office State Advisory Group on Racial and Ethnic Disparities and serves as Finance Chair on the board of the Black Mental Health Alliance. Shannon is the creator of eRACE(E), a behavior management model promoting equity and inclusion, and collaborates with the Trauma-Informed Care Training Center. She lives in Baltimore with her daughter, Sharise, and their three pets—Reign, Sinatra, and Quincy.