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Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders is a five-month leadership development program that empowers participants with the skills, networks, and opportunities to effect meaningful change in their communities.

The Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders program has trained 175 change makers across WNY since its inception in 2015. Our intensive, semester-long curriculum covers topics such as community organizing, Buffalo-Niagara social history, communications, media and public relations, advocacy, research and analysis, campaign strategy, resource mobilization, and self- and community care and healing. Emerging Leaders alumni have gone on to found thriving businesses and community-based organizations, run for political office, and exercise their leadership in local and state government, academic institutions, and both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

Emerging Leaders is a great fit for you if you are:

  • Committed to addressing social justice issues
  • Ready to tackle community organizing campaigns and advocacy issues following completion of the program
Class of 2024

Class of 2024

Emerging Leaders Class of 2024

Class of 2023

Class of 2023

Emerging Leaders Class of 2023

Class of 2021

Class of 2021

Emerging Leaders Class of 2021

Class of 2020

Class of 2020

Emerging Leaders Class of 2020

Class of 2018

Class of 2018

Emerging Leaders Class of 2018

Class of 2017

Class of 2017

Emerging Leaders Class of 2017

Class of 2016

Class of 2016

Emerging Leaders Class of 2016

Class of 2015

Class of 2015

Emerging Leaders Class of 2015

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