Just what had I gotten myself into? A few months ago, I was honored to be selected as a 2012 fellow for the D.C. Chapter of the New Leaders Council (NLC), a national non-profit dedicated to training and connecting the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs.

There was elation in the room — almost palpable — when our class of fellows finally convened early on a Saturday morning in January. Months after the nomination and application process, the interviews and, ultimately, selection (which occurred just in time for the holidays), we spoke to each other in what began our first group activity. In a session reminiscent of Christmas Day, we began to unwrap each other, introducing our partners to the group, and unveiling a high-quality mélange of young professionals. We came to see a distinguished collection of individuals with a commitment to progressive values and a demonstrated capacity to get things done.

A motley array of public, private, and non-profit sector professionals from across the country, the class resembles what America’s political landscape may look like in some 20 years: 50 percent women and 60 percent minorities in the NLC-DC chapter. Keenan Austin, a vivacious African American aide to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, would later comment, “The diversity of our class reflects the progressive values and vision the organization carries in shaping a more just nation. We are really following the constitutional vision of our founding fathers to continuously strive for ‘a more Perfect Union.’”

The fellowship training was also a top-notch showcase, bringing in A+ grade speakers into the luxury executive meeting room with a crystal-clear view of the White House. That first day we left through the revolving doors onto Pennsylvania Avenue, refreshed and revitalized, and with a sense that our group could really change the world. After only three months, I can honestly say that we will never again be the same.

The District of Columbia is a natural epicenter for new political talent, luring all types from ambitious former senior class presidents to collegiate activists who have started human rights or labor campaigns, excited to take their leadership to the next level in our nation’s capital. The 22 fellows are the cream of the crop, promising minds committed to remedying economic and social ills, new and old. Sharing common progressive values and an overall common goal, we were drawn to NLC seeking the answer to a simple question: “How do I do it?”

The NLC Fellow Institute is a national, volunteer-run 501 (c) 3, 5-month rigorous training program for a diverse yet select group of young professionals (age 24 – 35). The NLC recruits its high-caliber applicants through professional referrals. At once-monthly Institute seminars, experts provide advanced training in entrepreneurship, communications and marketing, fundraising and campaign management, public speaking and speech writing, and political technology and public relations. NLC combines leadership development training with mentoring, networking, and job placement opportunities, so that the Fellows will learn how to translate education into action and retain their new skills.

Sharing this life-altering opportunity with such a dynamic, enthusiastic, and promising crop of dreamers and achievers, is inspiring, as is witnessing the transition as we realize how to build on the abilities, skills, and knowledge we already possess. We fellows are undergoing the realization of the selves lying dormant within us, and NLC is helping to trace the path between where we stand now and the world that we dream to live to see.

One outstanding trainer, Jake Brewer, Strategist and Campaign Architect for Fission Strategy, challenged us by asking, “How big is your agenda?” We giggled at the question, unsure whether to voice the audacity of our visions for the world in the coming decade and beyond. In a word, for us, our agenda is “unlimited.” That is the nature of progressives to hold a vision of a world worth working for and to never be satisfied with the status quo as long as our environment is in peril and human potential is squandered by inequity and injustice. Until then, time is our best friend.

While NLC is volunteer-run, it still has to meet certain costs so that the fellows can participate free of charge. So each chapter concludes their program with a fundraiser to raise money for the next class of fellows. Our chapter’s fundraiser, “PUNDITS, POLITICIANS and PROGRESSIVES: an Evening Reception for NLC” will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Opera Ultra Lounge, 1400 I Street, N.W. The evening will feature remarks noteworthy progressive leaders Krystal Ball, Robert Raben, and Congressmen Jared Polis and Keith Ellison, as well as cocktails, and music. There we will honor of the 2012 Leadership Institute class of fellows.

Another fellow ’12, Matt Kaplan, a senior consultant at Booz-Allen Hamilton, and a former captain of the Oberlin college basketball team, shared his insightful view on his generation, “The Millennials have good ideas to move America forward and we are not going to wait on the sidelines to get into the game.”

It is our turn. It is time for the next generation of progressive leaders to get behind the wheels, power-shift gears, and start driving our future. In the not-distant future I see fellows representing Pakistani-American communities with the federal government, introducing an economic redevelopment plan for Ohio, running for local and national office and counseling elected officials, pioneering new technology to delicately advise Arab Spring countries transitioning into fledgling democracies, advocating for 10 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing people all over the nation, managing public relations firms, hosting a national talk radio and television shows, and leading non-profit and for-profit organizations. In short, we will be doing our part to make the world a better place.

-Original Article-

Cheers to the future fellows of NLC!

Tuesday, May 15

New York City

Thursday, May 17

Atlanta

San Diego

Washington, DC

Tuesday, May 22

Silicon Valley

Many thanks to the New York City NLC Chapter, our hosts for the weekend; CUNY Baruch; our Board of Directors, led by Chairman Mark Walsh; and of course our dynamic panelists who provided us with insight and ideas about how New Leaders Council and progressives at large can create sustainable social change.

Panelists Hilary Doe and Emily Sussman discuss building a progressive future

Northeast Conversation participants review the agenda and panelist bios

Professor Joel Rogers of University of Wisconsin-Madison, with New York State Senator Liz Krueger

Northeast Conversation panel guest and Kentucky State Auditor, Adam Edelen

Northeast Conversation keynote speaker and former Chairman of Northwest Airlines, Al Checchi

Click here to view full gallery of images from the 2012 Northeast Conversation on Facebook

It’s about People.Progress.Results.

From now until May 20th, activists from around the country will begin fundraising for progressive causes for the chance to win an all-access pass to Netroots Nation 2012. That’s VIP all access to the foremost conference on technology and politics.

Sold already? HERE IS WHERE YOU CLICK TO BEGIN!

It’s easy to participate. Sign up to become a “Fan Fundraiser” for New Leaders Council, then begin recruiting your friends to help and sharing your story about why NLC matters.

Everyone who enters has a month to get donors to sign on to their team. At the end of the month, 20 finalists will be chosen based on the number of friends recruited. Then 10 winners will receive an all-access pass to Netroots Nation, hotel accommodations and a private reception with political-tech influencers hosted by Rally.org.

This is an amazing opportunity to showcase not only why NLC is an important progressive cause but how we can  unleash the power of social fundraising for progressive good. Help NLC Raise the Future today!

For information and to enter, visit www.rally.org/raisethefuture.

In January 2013, NLC will announce 40 progressive leaders that show outstanding achievement in any of a number of categories and will be honored across the country. Honorees are nominated by the progressive community, with winners chosen by a panel of judges (see our most recent judges here). Nominations for these awards will open, online in the fall of 2012.

Award Categories

Previous award categories have included the categories below.

2011 Winners 2010 Winners 2009 Winners 2008 Winners

The video features NLC Chairman Mark Walsh, former Facebook executive Chris Kelly, former Center for American Progress development director Anna Edwards, NLC Executive Director Mark Riddle, NLC Founders Adam Borelli, Noah Doyle and Mike Moschella, NLC communications director Lauren Brown Jarvis and outstanding NLC leaders from all corners of America.

It’s about People.Progress.Results.

Saturday, March 3, Progressive Job Fair 9:00 am-12:00pm

Northeast Conversation 10:00am

CUNY Baruch

55 Lexington Avenue, 14^th Floor,

New York, New York

Meeting Room # 14-220, 14-280, 14-285

RSVP

New Leaders Council is the premier progressive training institute for social and political entrepreneurs. Northeast Conversation is open to NLC members, supporters and the greater Northeast Community. Conversation panelists include Senator Liz Krueger, NYU Stern School of Business Professor, Lawrence J. White, National Director, Roosevelt Institute, Hilary Doe, MSNBC’s and the grio.com’s Perry Bacon, Jr., Michael Moschella, Truman National Security Project, Political Director and former Facebook Executive, Chris Kelly. Author and former CEO of Northwest Airlines Al Checchi, will give the keynote address.

New Leaders Council consists of 20 chapters across the nation, yet, the roots of our organization are deep in the Northeast. Connecting our members, thought leaders and the community at large for a discussion is an ambitions but necessary aim.

NLC knows coming together has the potential to convert conversation, to action, action to change. Northeast Conversation will examine how we protect America’s true values of equality, prosperity and peace.

New Leaders Council is also thrilled to have City Limits, New York as an official media partner for our Northeast Conversation. Their record of insightful investigative journalism proves how a just society, a progressive one, respect freedom of the press and promotes its participation by reflecting who we are for better and worse.

REGISTER TODAY

It’s about People.Progress.Results.

For those of us who survived last year’s retreat in New Orleans, I assure you Atlanta has a different kind of heat. Less about meteorology and more about hospitality. A good time will be had. Book your tickets to the ATL kids, retreat will be held August 3-5, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. We bet you won’t get crunk.

It’s about People.Progress.Results.

NLC wants you in the building, Saturday, March 3, 2012, when we host our first Northeast Conversation at CUNY Baruch in New York City!

The conversation will be led by top progressive thought leaders and key influencers from the NLC community. A job fair will also be held for anyone looking to transition to the next level in their career. Special rates are available for students and NLC members. Bring a friend and prepare yourself for a powerful day of networking and dialogue.

Registration is open, make sure to reserve your seat today!

It’s about People.Progress.Results.

You may have heard about our incredibly talented class of 2012.

Now meet them face to face.

New Leaders Council is proud to introduce you to the future of American progress. Please congratulate and encourage our fellows. Their place in their chapters was not easily obtained and they are about to embark on the professional and personal journey of a lifetime!

Our people are what make the NLC experience so powerful. Meet the entire New Leaders Council Class of 2012 or read on about a few outstanding new members of our NLC family.

Westley Bayas-Louisiana

New Orleans Director, Stand for Children

Westley Bayas III is the New Orleans City Director with Stand for Children. In this capacity, he ensures effective collaboration with existing city neighborhood and constituency groups, develops and manages the execution of state and city-level strategic electoral and legislative advocacy plans, and organizes parents, teachers, and community-members motivated to help improve New Orleans Schools. He formerly served as the Deputy Director of the Neighborhood Engagement Office with the City of New Orleans, where he served as the liaison between the Mayor’s Office and neighborhood associations/organizations for citywide efforts including blight reduction, neighborhood revitalization and grassroots communications.

He also previously served as an Assistant to Mayor Mitch Landrieu for Constituent Services and Correspondence, Southern Louisiana Regional Field Director for the Democratic National Committee (Organizing for America) and the Director of Community Outreach & Development for local nonprofit The Phoenix of New Orleans. Bayas, a New Orleans native, also serves as a team liaison for the Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans. He holds a B.G.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Louisiana State University & A&M College.

Shane Culliton- Rhode Island

Public Relations Officer, Fairmount Schools PTO

Shane Culliton is among the millions of Americans currently unemployed. After almost a decade of corporate world experiences, Shane is taking this opportunity to shift back into the sphere of community building. Past employers include CVS/Caremark, the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chain, Bailey Total Health, a health clinic focused on non-drug therapies, Marriot, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, and campaigns for both Gubernatorial and State Senate candidates.

Shane has an MBA from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Northern Arizona University. He completed the Democratic Campaign Management Program in 2002, and participated in NAU’s German Immersion Program in Regensburg, Germany during the summer of 1999.

Shane spent the first ten years of his life in Germany and attributes both his worldview and appreciation of historical items to this experience. Shane is a firm believer in the sustainability movement, the concepts of personal integrity and accountability, and the dangers of exclusionary thought.

Shane is a member of the Rhode Island Payday Lending Reform Coalition and The Woonsocket Neighborhood Team, as well as the Public Relations Officer for the Fairmount Schools PTO in Woonsocket, RI.

Sukie Jefferson- San Francisco

Sukie is a cum laude graduate of Spelman College who double majored in Sociology and Anthropology while completing a minor in Public Health from Morehouse College. Her interest in cultural Anthropology and global health led her to study Western and traditional Brazilian health practices in Bahia, Brazil while researching environmental justice issues in the local favelas. Sukie spent a recent summer working under the direction of Juliana Myeya in the Mwanza region of North-Western Tanzania as an intern for CARE International. Her research focused on evaluating a Women and Girls Empowerment Program (WAGE II) that seeks to bring quality reproductive and sexual health services to marginalized women and adolescent girls. As a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar, Sukie plans to continue traveling the world and developing innovative action plans for communal transformation and social change. After receiving her doctorate in Public Health, Sukie will move overseas and work with a non-profit agency to contribute her efforts towards the eradication of global poverty. Sukie is the youngest of 3 and is currently living in Oakland California, where she is earning her Master of Public Health from the University of San Francisco.

New Leaders Council Class of 2012 Fellows

It’s about People.Progress.Results.