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New American Leadership Academy - NALA
The New American Leadership Academy (NALA) is a leadership and professional development program focused on civic engagement for New American residents. Participants receive mentorship, professional development and learn about topics such as government, civic responsibility, and implicit bias. The participants are selected based on their demonstrated readiness to grow and enhance their knowledge of civic engagement, community stewardship, leadership, and discover new ways to contribute to our community.
Outcomes
Knowledge gained from the program will equip participants with the skills needed to empower their communities in a culturally appropriate manner. The program includes:
- Lectures and presentations on local government, public policy, and neighborhood and community leadership
- Completion of a service project that reflects the skills learned in the program
- Engagement with community and government leaders
By the end of the program, participants will have the skills necessary to navigate local governments and, in turn, help not only themselves and their professional development but, empower their communities to do the same. The academy is open to all qualified applicants 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Application
The application for the 2024 cohort of the New American Leadership Academy has closed. Please check this space in Fall of 2024 to find the application for the 2024 cohort.
Opening Retreat - *March 8, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session 1: City Government - March 20, 2024
Session 2: Group Project Planning (1) - April 3, 2024
Session 3: Strategic Collaborations/Columbus Way - April 17, 2024
Session 4: Group Project Planning (2) - May 1, 2024
Session 5: Civic Engagement - May 15, 2024
Session 6: Group Project Planning (3) - May 29, 2024
Session 7: Conflict Resolution & Management - June 12, 2024
Session 8: Group Project Planning (4) - July 17, 2024
Session 8: National Night with the Community Session - August 6, 2024
Session 9: Group Project Planning (Optional) - August 7, 2024
Session 10: Civic Engagement Area Commissions & Police - August 21, 2024
Session 11: Communications and Public Speaking - September 4, 2024
Session 12: Entrepreneurship & Navigating City Business Services - September 18, 2024
Session 13: Social & Emotional Intelligence - October 2, 2024
Session 14: Project Presentation - October 23, 2024
Closing Program Ceremony - November 6, 2024
2024 Cohort
Edward I. Sumaila
Achempim O. George
Amin Sahro
Prince Poku
Nabill Boutaybi
Dr. Lizzie Bronte
Calamese R. Sonje
Faiza Cheema
Cisse Assitan
Duran mds
Oleh P. Fedorov
Smith Francois
Jamale Nafiso
Sherrie Johnson
Fatima Kane
Roman Lema
Katherine Lopez
Faridulkah Ludin
Rene olate Alveal
John Siason
Dean Smith
Jill Sutliff
Suban Warsame
Mejia, Pedro d
Duckens M. Carmen
2023 Cohort
Taiwo Akinlami
O. Daniel Ayayi
Eternity Ballour
Nene Diallo
Maryan Dualle
Sophia DuGue
Isaac Fameyeh
Hassiba Makour
Perla Martinez
Sudi Mohamud
Dolly Munlemvo
Uwitonda Ndikumana
Patrick OsBourne
Hari Pyakurel
Rasheed Rasheed
Demsas Reddae
Joseph Sawo
Lal Agha Shafiq
Zeenath Sheikh
2022 Cohort
Adebayo, Elizabeth
Adekanbi, Olumbunmi
Amaya, Darsy
Bhattarai, Yadu
Burden, Barbara
Chaudhri, Taimur
Cornejo, Diego
Dahal, Mukti
Duale, Hanad
Fequiere, Marc
Fiqi, Ramla
Harris, F. Bernard
Pruitt, Tanisha
Quartey, Patricia
Sheikh, Kaltuma
Wise, Rukeyah
2021 Cohort
Addo, Shukri
Anderson, Murphy
Azaryan, Diana
Brown, Sarah
Castellar, Mabel
Diawara, Lindora
Diaz, Alma Rose
Nepal, Parshu
Olaoye, Bukola
Osman, Nimo
Oyola, Daisy
Shide, Hassan
Tessema, Erusalem
Vangehn, Darlington W.
2020 Cohort
Abrokwa-Clottey, Alex-Eric
Begly, Gilda
Cole - Kenneh, Comfort
Cooper, Winston
Fitamo, Frehiwo
Freytes, Odaliz
Gauoa, Zoubir
Hubbard, Graham
Kamara, Mustapha
Kiluwasha, Mhilu
Manirakiza, Clarissa
Naranjo, Franchesca
Nwaogu, Chioma
Nydegger, Kathryn
Oblitey, James
Oladejo-Lawal, Olufunmilayo
Shepkong, Bartholomew
Fall 2019 Cohort
Acharya, Keshab
Adhikari, Nirmala
Ali, Dahir
Ansah-Koi, Alice
Berhane, Beserat
Blanco Torres, Adriana
Carmona, Zardania
Dahir, Sahra
Ease, Waleed
Flores, Sheila
Kudel, David
Lomanjo, Pascal
Long, Chansovan
Lyons, Ethan
Mohamud, Sowdo
Abouneama, Ayman
Wallace-Williams, DeAnna
Spring 2019 Cohort
Ali, Miriam
Al-Shaikhli, Murtadha
Asif, Zoobia
Balazire, Blaise
Bravo, Cesar
Cherinet, Beniam
Ciriello, Alma
Delgado, Lyana
Dismuke, Andrea
Elnour, Awatif
Gautam, Jamuna
Isaak, Nasra
Liban, Anisa
Miyake, Kazuko
Musa, Kawther
Obila, Donald
Pyakurel, Bhuwan
Ramos, Maria
Tongor, Alpha
Fall 2018, Inaugural Cohort
Abdulle, Asha
Acharya, Jhuma
Acharya, Uma
Bah, Amadou
Bangura, Abass
Dhital, Bindiya
Beyene, Rahel
Fuentes, Edith
Beyene, Israel
Garcia, Jatnna
Combs J.r., Antonio
Mello, Carla
Engmann, Cynthia
Santos, Gerald
Floyd, Alexis
Sarkodee, Samuel
Kifuko, Jacqueline
Woldemedhen, Netsanet
Uwadiae, Deba
Wolters, John
Young, Katalin
FROM THE MAYOR
Dear New American Leadership Academy Fellow,
Congratulations on your acceptance into the New American Leadership Academy (NALA) 2024 cohort! I am excited to welcome you to a very special group of community leaders. NALA is a first-of-its-kind leadership program in Columbus focused on the empowerment of emerging New American leaders.
As the 14th largest city in America, Columbus is home to more than 155,000 residents who were born in other nations, and we are proud to be a welcoming city for all. As a city, we are fortunate that so many New Americans call Columbus home. Immigrants and refugees make Columbus culturally rich and have spurred economic growth and development.
NALA helps to ensure that all of our residents have a voice. Your participation in this program will help you discover new ways to effectively contribute to our immigrant and New American communities. It is our growing population of New Americans that fuels the growth and strength of our city. Thank you again for your commitment to leadership and your support of Columbus' New American communities. Sincerely,
Andrew J. Ginther,
FROM THE DIRECTOR
March 6, 2024
Congratulations and welcome to the New American Leadership Academy!
The Department of Neighborhoods is proud to host the New American Leadership Academy
(NALA), a one of kind, uniquely designed, leadership and professional development program in Columbus.
You are beginning an exciting journey. Over the next few months, you will gain insight and skills necessary to navigate local governments. You will be
provided valuable resources to support your efforts to effectively engage the community you will serve. It is our goal to fully support your interest and growth as an effective community leader, and we look forward to working together to ensure that everyone in Columbus has a voice.
As a member of the NALA community, you are following in the footsteps of more than 120 Individuals who have completed the program and are advocating effectively for their communities on Area Commissions, civic associations and other organizations.
Thank you for your contribution and commitment to Columbus and all the best as you begin this engaging and transformative experience!
Sincerely,
Carla Williams-Scott,