Cultural Leadership Program
Training mature practitioners in AI literacy, cultural preservation, and sustainable business practices.
What This Program Is
The Cultural Leadership Incubator is a small-batch training program for experienced cultural practitioners who are building or sustaining work in the arts, spirituality, education, or community leadership. We teach you how to use AI tools safely and effectively so you can document your knowledge, build sustainable business workflows, and preserve cultural work without getting exploited or left behind by rapid technological change.
This is not a beginner program and it is not for children. We work with mature adults who have already spent years or decades building expertise in their traditions and practices. You might be a dancer, a ritual leader, a visual artist, a musician, a community educator, or someone stewarding cultural knowledge. If you are struggling to keep up with technology while trying to maintain your practice and support yourself, this program is for you.
What You Will Learn
Over four to six weeks, you will learn practical skills for using AI companions and digital tools to reduce stress and increase your capacity. We cover AI safety practices so you understand how to protect your cultural and intellectual property. You will learn how to create workflows that help you write, document, organize, and publish your work without burning yourself out. We teach you how to use these tools as collaborators rather than replacements for your wisdom and creativity.
You will also learn content creation skills that respect your tradition and your boundaries. This includes documenting cultural practices ethically, creating educational materials, building oracle systems or teaching tools, and developing publications like books or digital resources. The goal is for you to leave the program with both knowledge and a completed project you can actually use in your work.
How the Program Works
We run small cohorts of six to nine people at a time. This is intentional. We keep the groups small so everyone receives real attention and support. Each cohort meets for four to six weeks depending on the focus and needs of the group. Classes are conducted online with live instruction, group discussion, and hands-on work time. You will have access to resources, templates, and continued support as you complete your capstone project.
All participants must be eighteen years or older. We prioritize people who are actively working in cultural preservation, spiritual practice, or community education and who need these skills to sustain their livelihood or legacy work. We operate by word of mouth and invitation. If you are reading this, someone likely referred you or you found us through your own research into ethical AI use for cultural work.
Scholarship Funding
Every seat in this program is scholarship-funded. You do not pay to participate. We are supported by grants and donations from organizations that understand the importance of protecting cultural knowledge and supporting practitioners who have been historically excluded from technology access. If you are accepted into a cohort, your participation is fully covered.
We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis. Cohorts are filled as funding becomes available and as we identify participants whose needs align with what we teach. The application process is simple and confidential. We ask about your background, your practice, what you hope to learn, and how this program would support your work.
Who Runs This Program
This program is led by Philip Ryan Deal, a Babalawo and founder of Temple of Gu, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Philip has thirty years of professional experience as a dancer, artist, and cultural educator. He has published multiple books on spiritual practice, cultural preservation, and ethical AI use. He has already worked with traditional practitioners to help them write books, create art, and build sustainable practices using these tools.
Temple of Gu operates with a commitment to cultural sovereignty, consent-based documentation, and the belief that technology should serve tradition rather than replace it. We teach from lived experience and we understand the particular challenges faced by Black, Brown, and Indigenous practitioners navigating systems that were not built with us in mind.
Ready to Apply?
If this program speaks to you and you meet the criteria, we invite you to submit an application. The process is straightforward and confidential. We review applications carefully and reach out to potential participants directly to discuss fit and timing. Cohorts are limited and selective, but if you are serious about this work and ready to learn, we want to hear from you.