Leadership DevelopmentBack >
The 2016 Emerging Leaders appear in this photo along with workshop trainers and Open Buffalo staff.
Through various workshops and leadership training initiatives, Open Buffalo works to increase Buffalo’s population of skilled change-makers. We train residents to mobilize their communities around equity issues and to take on leadership roles in community, nonprofit, and government sectors.
Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders, our signature leadership development program, trains residents to mobilize their communities around equity issues and to take on leadership roles in community, nonprofit, and government sectors.
Democracy Fellows
Democracy Fellows is a more rigorous leadership development program designed for passionate individuals with in-depth knowledge of systemic issues that impact communities. Democracy Fellows are selected based on demonstrated leadership skills, and must have a minimum of two years experience in social change work, and ability to perform as intersectional movement thinkers. The ideal fellow has a strong track record of community and coalition building and can work to connect different racial and socioeconomic constituencies.
Leadership development partners and allies
Buffalo Arts Studio // Buffalo State College // Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo // The John R. Oishei Foundation // Leading Change Network // Make Communities // National Coalition Building Institute // One Region Forward
Leadership Development News
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Emerging Leaders 'Spring Forward' with First Alumni Gathering!
Published on: April 5, 2019
For the first time, alums from all Emerging Leaders' classes (2015 - 2018) gathered to connect with new folks and celebrate how the program continues to transform Buffalo's leadership.
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A Moment to Celebrate: 2018 Emerging Leaders and Democracy Fellows Graduate
Published on: December 18, 2018
Open Buffalo honored 35 outstanding individuals and marked two milestones for the Leadership Development division as a whole: graduating our 100th Emerging Leader and 1st class of Democracy Fellows.
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Emerging Leader Kenyana David on The Public Good!
Published on: November 27, 2018
Emerging Leader Kenyana David on The Public Good to discuss entrepreneurship and her consultancy for women-owned firms, 81 Eighteen.
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Democracy Fellow Bernadette Giles on the Public Good!
Published on: November 6, 2018
Democracy Fellow Bernadette Giles shares her community project on women's professional development with The Public Good.
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Learning on the Move: Emerging Leaders’ Buffalo Bus Tour
Published on: October 1, 2018
On the Buffalo Bus Tour, Open Buffalo's Emerging Leaders traded the classroom for an opportunity to learn about the city on the road and on foot.
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Democracy Fellow Michelle Jones on The Public Good!
Published on: September 24, 2018
Democracy Fellow Michelle Jones discusses her project, From the Inside Out, on The Public Good.
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2018 Emerging Leaders Class Kicks off with Intensive Retreat
Published on: August 28, 2018
Thirty leaders hail from a number of neighborhoods in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and each one is committed to bringing about real change in our communities and breaking the cycles of oppression.
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Democracy Fellow Michael Zak on the Public Good!
Published on: August 21, 2018
Democracy Fellow Mike Zak talks with the Public Good about his fellowship project, curriculum development for a youth training program with Gro-operative on Buffalo's East Side.
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Make a Difference through Mentorship
Published on: June 6, 2018
Find out how mentoring an Open Buffalo Emerging Leader makes a meaningful contribution toward a stronger and more resilient community.
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Emerging Leader Spotlight: Andrea Gonzalez
Published on: June 4, 2018
Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders are dynamic community leaders, representing a diverse range of identities and from every corner of Buffalo. This installment features Andrea Gonzalez, a 2017 graduate.
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Democracy Fellow Andrew Marcum on The Public Good!
Published on: May 23, 2018
Democracy Fellow Andrew Marcum talks with the Public Good about his project to increase civic and community engagement among folks with disabilities in Buffalo & Erie County.
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Emerging Leader Spotlight: Jillian Hanesworth
Published on: March 16, 2018
Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders are dynamic community leaders, representing a diverse range of identities and from every corner of Buffalo. This installment features Jillian Hanesworth, a 2017 graduate.
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Open Buffalo's Danielle Johnson Named to New Community Police Advisory Body
Published on: March 8, 2018
OB Justice & Opportunity partners advocated for creation of new entity, which will make recommendations on how community-police relationships can be improved.
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Apply today to become a Champion for Change with One Region Forward!
Published on: January 4, 2018
Are you resolved to make a difference in 2018? Apply today to become a Champion for Change with One Region Forward!
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2017 Emerging Leaders Honored Before Family & Friends
Published on: December 16, 2017
Two dozen individuals graduate, empowered and inspired to improve Buffalo.
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Open Buffalo Seeks Leadership Development Director
Published on: December 5, 2017
Leadership Development Director holds primary responsibility for the development and implementation of Open Buffalo’s multi-tiered leadership development program.
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Apply Today: Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council
Published on: December 5, 2017
“BREAKING BARRIERS” YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL is a group of young men of color, 12-24 years in age, creating a unified voice that advocates for racial equity, social justice and policy change.
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The 2017 Emerging Leaders Reflect on Opening Weekend
Published on: September 1, 2017
Weekend was not only a time to bond with fellow participants, but also an opportunity to reflect and meditate on the reasons why we feel called to fight for the betterment of Buffalo.
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Become a 2017 Democracy Fellow
Published on: June 13, 2017
Democracy Fellows will receive instruction in community-based skills, work directly in the community, and develop a community project that will be presented at the end of the fellowship.
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West Side Promise Neighborhood Leadership Program Launches June!
Published on: May 24, 2017
The program aims to raise up new leaders on Buffalo's West Side and empower residents on the West Side to have a voice in the West Side Promise Neighborhood coalition.
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Mentor an Emerging Leader this Fall
Published on: May 23, 2017
Mentors play an important role in supporting the new leaders of Buffalo!
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Apply Today to Become a Buffalo Community Youth Fellow!
Published on: March 1, 2017
The Community Youth Fellowships will support dynamic activists aged 18-25 who want to implement a project of their own design that advances human rights.
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Become a 2017 Emerging Leader!
Published on: February 21, 2017
The Emerging Leaders program is a distinctive social justice curriculum aimed at building a stronger Buffalo.
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The 2016 Emerging Leaders Class Graduates
Published on: December 17, 2016
The 2016 Emerging Leaders are 24 dynamic community leaders, representing a diverse range of identities and from every corner of Buffalo.
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OSF Seeks Applicants for Community Youth Fellowship in Buffalo!
Published on: December 2, 2016
The Community Youth Fellowships will support dynamic activists aged 18–25 who want to implement a project of their own design that advances human rights in underserved communities.
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VISIONS Showcases Community Work, Supports Emerging Leaders
Published on: November 12, 2016
This week, we were proud to recognize the work of our first social justice-themed photography class, “VISIONS: A Photographic Journey in Social Justice.”
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OB Staff and Partners Talk "No Boundaries"
Published on: October 14, 2016
Franchelle Hart (Open Buffalo) and Steve Peraza (Partnership for the Public Good) discuss the content of the special-edition "No Boundaries" newspaper.
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Free Special Edition Newspaper Advocates for a Renaissance in All Buffalo Neighborhoods
Published on: October 11, 2016
In collaboration with Open Buffalo, Rise Collaborative debuts the first issue of "No Boundaries" - a special-edition, free newspaper carrying stories from typically underreported areas of Buffalo.
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Emerging Leaders 2016 Kicks Off!
Published on: October 4, 2016
Open Buffalo kicked off the 2016 session of Emerging Leaders on Friday, Sept. 9, officially marking the 2nd year of the program.
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Mentor an Emerging Leader this Fall!
Published on: August 8, 2016
Looking to help change your community? Do you have a few extra hours a week? How about serving as a mentor for the Open Buffalo emerging leaders program?
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Apply to be a 2016 Emerging Leader!
Published on: June 27, 2016
The Emerging Leaders program is a distinctive social justice curriculum aimed at building a stronger Buffalo by preparing new leaders in our city.
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First-Ever "West Side Emerging Leaders" Kicks Off
Published on: June 9, 2016
The program, modeled after Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders program, will include 15 dynamic, passionate leaders from Buffalo’s West Side.
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Partner Spotlight: Venezia Appleby
Published on: May 18, 2016
Lifelong Buffalonian Venezia Appleby is an Assistant Director of Respite Quality for People Inc., a board member of Just Buffalo Literary Center, and an Open Buffalo Emerging Leader.
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Youth Forum on Climate Justice Elevates Young Voices
Published on: April 12, 2016
An incredibly diverse group of 75 children and teens in a series of workshops, activities, and theater games connected to climate change and climate justice.
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Yemerz Hatosh: Resurrection of the Goddess “YEHO”
Published on: February 20, 2016
An original short story by Queen Akilah YOHE-RA.
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First-Ever Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders Honored Saturday
Published on: December 12, 2015
Community-builders from all sides of Buffalo made up leadership development program’s inaugural class.
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Julie Algubani, Emerging Leader
Published on: November 24, 2015
Julie Algubani, a local parent, activist, and Emerging Leaders participant, sits down for a Q&A with Open Buffalo.
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Patricia Elliott, Emerging Leader
Published on: November 22, 2015
Profiling Patricia Elliott, a local change-maker who has enrolled in Open Buffalo's social justice school -- Emerging Leaders.
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OB Emerging Leaders off and Running!
Published on: September 14, 2015
Participants learned how to build campaigns for positive social change from the ground up, using their heads, hearts, and hands.
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Only 2 Weeks Left to Apply for Emerging Leaders
Published on: August 10, 2015
Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders Program is a brand new leadership development training school which aims to build a stronger Buffalo by preparing new leaders in our city.
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Open Buffalo Reports Successes and Priorities
Published on: July 28, 2015
Allied grassroots activists converged on Massachusetts Avenue Park Tuesday morning for a press conference and community cookout.
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A 'High Road' Infusion for Open Buffalo
Published on: July 9, 2015
High Road Fellows Caro Achar and Lauren Lang speak about their backgrounds, their interests, and what drew them to spend a summer embedded in Buffalo's social justice movement.
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Open Buffalo Celebrates Juneteenth
Published on: June 16, 2015
Beautiful weather and jubilant crowds lining Genesee Street made for a memorable Juneteenth of Buffalo 2015 Parade last Saturday.
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"Organizing for Change" with Citizen Planners
Published on: May 1, 2015
On Saturday, April 18, Open Buffalo presented an “Organizing for Change” workshop at One Region Forward’s Citizen Planning School.
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Buffalo Deamers at BAS Opening Night
Published on: March 30, 2015
Thanks to the folks who took a few moments to reflect with us at our Buffalo Deam Wall!
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Jump into "Assemblage," "Binary ConScience" and Jump Start
Published on: March 19, 2015
"Assemblage" and "Binary ConScience" kick off March 27 at Buffalo Arts Studio
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Strategy, Inspiration, and Solidarity at Open Places Convening
Published on: March 17, 2015
The Open Places All-Site Convening met from February 18 through 20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Where the Arts and Social Justice Intersect
Published on: March 12, 2015
New Innovation Lab reports and examine socially conscious arts groups in Erie County and look at best practices in marrying the arts and community justice work.
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Re-framing Race with dRworks
Published on: February 11, 2015
Trainers from Dismantling Racism Works empower Open Buffalo recruits with new tools of race analysis.
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PPG 2015 Agenda Boosts Open Buffalo Campaigns
Published on: January 16, 2015
Partnership for the Public Good's 2015 community agenda includes research support for Open Buffalo campaigns.
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Organizing Powers Unleashed
Published on: December 5, 2014
Open Buffalo's rigorous Leading Change workshop weekend led social justice-minded crowd to breakthroughs and connections.
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Open Buffalo a Winner
Published on: January 16, 2014
Open Society Foundations announces Buffalo is one of three sites selected for funding in the Open Places Initiative.
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Open Buffalo Proposal
Published on: January 15, 2014
Read the submitted Open Buffalo proposal.
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The Public Good Radio Shows - Summer 2013
Published on: August 19, 2013
Open Buffalo has taken over the airwaves this summer on the Partnership for the Public Good’s weekly radio show, The Public Good, to talk about some of the most pressing issues facing our community.
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Buffalo Collaboration Wins National Grant
Published on: April 8, 2013
Four Buffalo nonprofits were awarded $100,000 from the Open Society Foundations to design a plan to increase low-income and minority communities’ influence and access to economic, civic, and political opportunities in the area.