Justice & Opportunity
Emerging Leaders Applications are Open!
Published May 4, 2023
Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders has trained nearly 150 changemakers in leadership skills, community organizing, advocacy campaigns, media and public relations, research, Western New York social history, and more. The Emerging Leaders Program connects aspiring leaders with the mentorship and networks they need to build their platform and their power, and it provides a pipeline to place alumni in positions where they can exercise their talents towards social change. Our program is offered at no charge to ensure that a leader’s financial situation is not a barrier to their growth and development.
This year’s Emerging Leaders course will run from July through December, including an opening weekend retreat July 14-16, 15 weeks of classes, and a community-based project. The application process is now open online. Those interested in applying are encouraged to attend one of the virtual applicant information sessions on May 16 at noon and May 25 at 6:00pm. The deadline to apply is June 12. Contact Leslie Nickerson, Director of Leadership Development, at leslie@openbuffalo.org or 716-243-8777 x104 for more information.
Our alumni family includes powerful champions like India Walton, Jillian Hanesworth, Sherman D. Webb-Middlebrooks, and Zeneta Everhart, who 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.