Who We Are
The Fearless Leadership Institute is a staff-led initiative designed to advance Black and Brown undergraduate women through academic excellence, professional development, and personal growth.
What We're Fundraising For
Research shows that some of the barriers that keep Black students from participating in a study abroad program are lack of knowledge about the programs, inadequate funding, lack of traveling experience, parental concerns and more. Through our FLI Around the World campaign we aim to expose Black women to global initiatives and encourage them to push past the barriers. One way we do this is to provide scholarships for students to participate in our department’s study abroad programs. The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, for which FLI resides, offers global studies to Dubai/Abu Dhabi, CapeTown, South Africa, Beijing, China, and Costa Rica.
Your Impact
We are always so grateful for our sponsors and donors who time and time again go above and beyond in their giving. They have helped make many of our signature events possible. The funding we receive is used to enhance our student’s experience through our programming. We offer weekly interest groups for holistic development, an annual leadership retreat, a mentorship program, an NYC Exposure Experience, and more. This particular fundraiser will go to support FLI students who participate in our department’s global initiatives by making available to them FLI Around the World Scholarships. Studies show that global experience helps to increase a students confidence academically; increases their global knowledge and awareness; increases their emotional intelligence; helps them to thrive in ambiguity; increases their cultural intelligence and so much more! Some of our students who travel abroad with us, state that it was their first time on an airplane, or it was their first time out of the state of Texas. Several of the students who have gone abroad whose parents were initially skeptical of them going so far, have now returned and taken their entire families abroad. Some of the students who participated have now graduated and because of their exposure abroad have attained careers in other countries. Many more students return from their global experience and talk about how they are empowered to raise their hand in classroom settings, back on campus, and participate in the class discussions, where as before they felt incompetent.
Testimonials:
“I am a first-generation college student doing a lot of things that my family hasn’t had the chance to do and I know the things I am doing make my family proud, but being in China made me realize that I was also their wildest dream.” -Jalesha Bass
“FLI definitely helped me build character and build better habits professionally. You all played a huge part in my leadership development and communication skills. As well as my confidence in myself. Fli also really encouraged me to study abroad which gave me a global perspective of the world. Y’all also help me learn how to do good in interviews when y’all did the interview thing my freshman or sophomore year.”
“FLI has given me a community of wonderful, beautiful women that I can call family and that I know I can come to for anything! I have gotten so much good advice and life spoken into me and FLI was essential for my undergrad experience, I am so grateful to have joined this org.”
“FLI has impacted my experience at UT in the best way possible. FLI was the one organization I could always count on to have people who genuinely love me there and will never make me feel like an outcast. I’m so glad I found FLI because it has transformed me into a more confident, resilient, and fearless woman.”
The entire study abroad experience cost about $5K for each student including airfare, a passport, programming, food, and personal expenses. Lodging is provided. Below are donation suggestions:
Donation Suggestions:
Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are the challenge winners for the final hours of the campaign!
Time for Another Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge
1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
2nd Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
3rd place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Longhorn Racing
2nd Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
Final Countdown Challenge
1st Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet
2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team
3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby
Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: Longhorn Band Student Association $1,000 Prize
Runner-up: Women's Club Lacrosse $250 Prize
Procrastinator Gift WINNER Longhorn Racing $500 Award
6,000 Milestone WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club
7,000 Milestone WINNER Longhorn Racing
8,000 Milestone WINNER Black Student Alliance
State & International Challenge Winners - Check your donor wall these have been awarded!
Leaderboard Challenge Winners - Check the challenges page wall for the final leaderboards. Prizes will be awarded soon!