The Application for Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 Is Now Open
Calling all up-and-coming change agents! Open Buffalo is again recruiting community members to join the ranks of over 175 Emerging Leaders and counting. Will you be our 200th graduate this year?
This four-month, cohort-based Emerging program trains social-justice-minded individuals in leadership skills, community organizing, advocacy campaigns, media and public relations, research, Western New York socioeconomic history, and more. Post-graduation support also connects alumni to pipelines where they can access leadership roles in government, education, and the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Acceptance to the program is equivalent to a $6,000 scholarship to ensure that finances are not a barrier to advancing your leadership skills.
Graduates of the program include powerhouse leaders like community activist and organizer India Walton (2015), Buffalo Poet Laureate Emerita and Emmy winner Jillian Hanesworth (2017), and Every Bottom Covered Founder and Executive Director Raziya Hill (2020).
Of the impact of the Emerging Leaders Program, Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart said, “Connections, connections, connections! I had the honor to work with so many amazing leaders from the Buffalo community. They taught me so much, and I believe helped me to grow as a person.”
Emerging Leaders “boosted my confidence, self-awareness, and adaptability while teaching me to navigate challenges and inspire collaboration effectively. This experience has been transformative, equipping me to lead with purpose and drive impact,” said Hy-Deia Elwadi (2024), Founder and CEO of PowerHAUS PR.
This year’s cohort will run from August through November, including a rustic retreat August 1-3, 16 weeks of workshops, a Buffalo history bus tour, and a proposal project that prepares leaders to implement their vision for positive change. Applications open February 7 and close April 15.
Have questions? Click one of the links below to register for a virtual information session:
Download the application questions here.
Contact Leslie Nickerson, Director of Leadership Development, at leslie@openbuffalo.org or 716-243-8777 x104 for information.