APPLY to join
The BRAID incubator provides a supportive and uplifting ecosystem for Womanist Cultivators to flourish within agriculture through their commitment to food justice, cultural representation, and education. Join us on a journey where knowledge is our currency and empowerment is our mission.
Qualifications & Experience
An ideal BRAID cohort member would meet the following:
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Passion for pursuing a career in agriculture
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U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
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Willingness to commit to 18 - 24 month cohort experience
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Identify as a woman
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At least 21 years old
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Open-mindedness and eagerness to exchange skills and ideas
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Minimum of 1 year of experience in farming or a related agricultural field
In-person
Virtual
Your Role
As a cohort member, you will be encouraged to share what makes you special as you embark on a collaborative effort to cultivate change. Joining the BRAID incubator entails an 18-24 month commitment. Through workshops, panels, and hands-on experience, BRAID members will grow in their knowledge of land stewardship, agriculture, technology, and business. Through this incubator experience, BRAID seeks to grow a community of Black womanist farmers and women of color innovators to harvest change in the agriculture space.
More About the Incubator
If you missed one of our information sessions, no worries! Watch the replay below and browse our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about what to expect.
Who Can Apply
BRAID is designed for Black women and women of color who are passionate about agriculture, land stewardship, land-based healing, and eco-entrepreneurship. You don’t need extensive farming experience—what matters most is your commitment, passion, and readiness to grow in community.
No. Participants are not required to have access to land or to be farming full-time. BRAID welcomes educators, wellness practitioners, food justice advocates, and others working to reconnect communities to land and legacy.
No. BRAID is open to women in all agricultural-related fields—from educators and advocates to creatives addressing food systems. What matters most is your commitment to sustainable work and collective growth.
Experience can be direct farming, land stewardship, environmental education, nonprofit work, food justice organizing, or creative projects tied to ecological justice. It doesn’t require land ownership or full-time farming.
Yes. Experienced practitioners may apply and may also be invited to serve as subject matter experts supporting the cohort.
Not at all. BRAID is open to educators, artists, health practitioners, policy advocates, herbalists, and more. The key connection is a shared desire to restore and reimagine the relationship between land, culture, and community well-being.
Absolutely. Storytellers, artists, and nonprofit professionals are encouraged to apply—BRAID values diverse forms of land-centered wisdom and leadership.
Yes. If you've participated in previous cohorts or related programming, you are welcome to apply to BRAID.
The program is regionally focused on the Southeast (Georgia, the Carolinas, and Alabama), but participants outside the region may apply. The hybrid model includes virtual and in-person components. Those outside the region should plan for periodic travel to participate fully.
Applying to BRAID
The application includes basic demographic questions, a resume upload, and short-answer prompts designed to understand your interests, values, and goals. The process is not competitive in a traditional sense—it’s about alignment and potential.
The inaugural BRAID cohort will consist of 10 women. This intimate size is intentional—allowing for deep relationship-building, peer mentorship, and personalized support.
Final cohort selections will be made in December 2025 to allow time for finalizing partnerships and program components. All applicants will be notified by that time.
BRAID is an 18–24 month hybrid program that includes virtual modules, mentorship, in-person workshops, and collaborative experiences. It’s designed to be flexible and shaped around participants’ schedules. Participants are expected to actively engage in programming throughout the duration, including hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities, and community-based learning.
More Ways to Engage
The BRAIDed Podcast shares the 'why' behind the program, explores agricultural justice, and will feature future cohort members. It's a space for storytelling, visibility, and community connection.
Yes! EWISE and the BRAID team welcome ongoing connections through volunteer opportunities, social media engagement, podcast participation, and future programming.
You’re welcome to reach out via email to the EWISE team at braid@ewise.org. We are happy to offer guidance, feedback, or help with the application process.
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