Kicking Off the COMMUN1TY+ Leadership Academy

A Strong Start

Our first session of the Community Leadership Academy was filled with thoughtful engagement, honest reflection, and inspiring energy. With guidance from our Executive Director, Yolonda Earl-Thompson, and lead facilitator, Nate Stephens, participants began their journey of developing personal leadership.

Building Core Leadership Skills

Together, participants explored the essential skills of community leadership:

• Active listening

• Connecting to purpose

• Discovering their personal “why”

They also practiced direct participation and meeting management through participant-led agreement setting and session feedback, putting leadership into action from the very start.

“Leadership begins when we connect deeply to our purpose and practice it in community.”

Lessons from a Movement

One highlight of the session was Derek Sivers’ powerful 3-minute TED Talk, How to Start a Movement. The video reminded us that the courage of one person can spark a collective movement.

Discovering Leadership Styles

Through an interactive activity, participants engaged with Be the Change Consulting’s Leadership Compass, a tool that helped them reflect on their unique leadership styles and strengths.

Looking Ahead

This first session set the stage for what’s next. Future sessions will prepare participants to:

• Advocate effectively

• Apply principles of asset-based community development

• Learn directly from community ambassadors through panel discussions

We are excited to witness this amazing group of leaders continue to grow, connect, and step into their power!