Founded by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in 2018, E Pluribus Unum (EPU) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to build a more equitable and inclusive South, uprooting the barriers that have long divided the region by race and class. EPU’s focus is on cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are focused on racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change.
Electronic Submissions:
- To submit an application, you will need to create a Submittable account. If you are experiencing difficulties, please visit the following link for directions on How to submit. All you need is an email and password to create your account, it's that simple. Visit this page for help or questions about using submittable.
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- If you have any technical issues, please contact Submittable through the following link: Submittable technical support
Who We Are
At EPU, we believe that the path to building a more just, inclusive, and equitable South is by advancing social change and racial equity. Network building and sharing what works can strengthen and expand the success of leaders who are advancing equity, so we partner with advocates and pastors, policymakers and community members, non-profits and media, and everyone in between.
Our Unum Fellows program is a unique, non-partisan fellowship that supports Southern leaders as they drive sustainable change in their communities. Through previous iterations of Unum Fellows, leaders gained or expanded upon their understanding of how to address racial and economic equity within communities. Each Unum Fellow learned from nationally recognized experts, consulted with peers across the South, and designed and implemented an equity-based project that to create meaningful change.
What We’re Looking For
This year we’re focused on local elected officials. We’re looking for mayors, county commissioners, parish presidents, city councilmembers, school board members, law enforcement officials – any local elected position is eligible! Applicants must represent a community in the American South[1] and must be in their current term of office through December 2026.
We’re seeking individuals who demonstrate:
- A strong commitment to learning about and promoting equity,
- Openness to continued learning and self-reflection,
- An awareness of equity issues in your community, and
- The will to meaningfully engage with community partners when building solutions.
EPU seeks to host a fellowship program that reflects the diversity of the Southern experience, and we want our 2025 cohort to be as inclusive as possible. We encourage applicants of any race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.
[1] Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia