Michael Franklin

Michael Franklin is the program associate for the Baltimore Community Fellowships & Initiatives Program. In this role, he assists in the selection of each annual cohort of Fellows; plans and facilitates conferences and events; researches local and national funding opportunities and resources; maintains the program’s grant portfolio; and supports the Fellows Alumni Network through outreach. Franklin currently serves on the steering committee of GLSEN-Baltimore (the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network), and has played central roles in organizing Baltimore-area LGBTQ students of color and providing comprehensive training to educators, administrators, and students in Baltimore City Public Schools around anti-bullying practices and anti-LGBTQ bias. In February 2011, he was recognized as a Black History Month Hero by the national office of GLSEN.

Prior to joining OSI-Baltimore, Franklin was an integral member of the Department of Residence Life at the University of Delaware, co-designing a curriculum for students based on citizenship, diversity education, and action planning. He also held advisory and leadership roles in campus organizations such as the Minority Student Network, the Allies Program, and Haven, a student-run LGBT organization which focused on campus education, awareness, inclusion, and advocacy. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware, having studied psychology and English.