2026-2027 Pod Mentorship Program
Nine months. A mentor who's been there. A pod who gets it.
The Black talent pipeline in Asia already exists. The Pod Mentorship Program connects you to it — with the relationships, guidance, and community to move your career forward.
About the Program
The Pod Mentorship Program connects African American students and professionals to experienced mentors and peers who are building careers across U.S.–Asia fields, including policy, business, the arts, education, technology, and more.
Here's how it works: each year, a cohort of mentees is placed into small groups called pods. Each pod is made up of three to four mentees and one mentor — a Black professional with real experience in Asia or Asia-related fields. Over nine months, your pod meets regularly and builds the kind of relationships that don't end when the program does.
There are two meetings each month. The first brings the full cohort together for an industry conversation led by an established professional from the NABEA community. The second is just your pod — your mentor, your peers, and whatever you actually need to talk through that month.
How the Program Works
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for African American students and professionals who are serious about building a career at the intersection of the U.S. and Asia. That includes policy, diplomacy, business, finance, education, cultural exchange, journalism, the arts, science, technology, and more. U.S.–Asia fields are broader than most people realize, and we want this cohort to reflect that range.
What we care about most isn't your résumé. It's whether you're ready to show up, engage your pod, and bring something real to the table — not just receive mentorship passively.
Eligibility
Current NABEA member
U.S. Citizen
Student or early- to mid-career professional
Able to commit to at least three hours per month from September 2026 through May 2027
Not yet a member? Join here before you apply.
How to Apply
The application is straightforward. You'll share your background, your areas of interest within U.S.–Asia fields, and what you're hoping to get out of the program. You'll also share what you bring to a peer learning environment — your experiences, perspectives, or skills that would benefit your podmates. A one-page resume is required.
Your areas of interest help us form well-matched pods. We consider geographic focus, topic area, and time zone when grouping mentees, so the more specific you are, the better.
Applications open June 2026 and close July 31, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-to-late August 2026.
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The Pod Mentorship Program is open to African American students and early- to mid-career professionals with an interest in U.S.–Asia relations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and current NABEA members.
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Yes. Membership is required before you submit an application. If you're not yet a member, you can join at usnabea.org/membership.
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Plan for about two hours per month. That includes one full cohort session, one pod meeting, and some time for engagement with your pod between meetings. The program runs September 2026 through May 2027.
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Once applications are reviewed, the mentorship committee groups mentees based on geographic focus, topic area, and time zone.
FAQ
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Mentors are matched to complement each pod's composition and interests. We take the process seriously — your mentor's background should be relevant to where you're trying to go.
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Each month includes two meetings. The first is a full cohort session led by an established professional from the NABEA community. The second is your pod meeting — just your mentor and podmates, on a schedule your pod sets together. Both are one hour.
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Applicants must be U.S. citizens, but you do not need to be based in the United States to participate. The program is fully virtual, and sessions are scheduled to accommodate members across time zones, including those based in Asia.
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Yes. All full cohort sessions are recorded. If your time zone makes it difficult to attend live, you can watch the recording before your next pod meeting.
Ready to build your career around Asia?
Applications open June 2026. Start preparing now — or send this to someone who should be in the program.
Questions? Email Lauren Mosely at lauren@usnabea.org