English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative

Californians Together launched the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) in 2016 to support the development of a new generation of English learner education leaders and advocates.

As part of ELLLI, advocates take part in the EL Advocacy Institute where they are equipped to advance projects and respond to anticipated policy challenges at state and local levels. The ELLLI curriculum provides an advocacy framework, historical context, immersion in research, mentorship, and skill development to inspire and prepare advocates to work at multiple levels within the system.

ELLLI advocates apply the skills and knowledge they develop to improve the education of English learners/emergent bilinguals in their local school districts and/or on state advisory committees and task forces.

ELLLI Fellowship

Fellows have included Pre-K-12 classroom teachers, school, district, and county office of education administrators, graduate students, civil rights attorneys, and CSU faculty. Each fellow is matched with a mentor to support and guide them as they actively lead advocacy efforts statewide and within their own communities. 

EL Advocacy Institute

From 2017-2025, over 450 advocates from across California participated in our EL Advocacy Institute. These leaders joined our original fellows and life-long (por vida), senior EL advocates and mentors to form an active, skilled and well-informed statewide network of EL advocates. Learn more about the EL Advocacy Institute here.