Columbus seeking applicants for immigrant leadership academy
The city of Columbus is seeking applicants for the 2024 cohort of the New American Leadership Academy, a Department of Neighborhoods initiative aiming to increase civic participation among immigrant and refugee communities.
Although other leadership academies exist in Columbus, the Department of Neighborhood’s academy is specifically geared for new American communities. Created in 2018, it is free, nonpartisan, and has trained over 120 participants — several of whom have since won elected office or been appointed to city positions.
“NALA is designed to equip a culturally diverse group of individuals with the skills they need to empower their communities and become influential active leaders,” Courtney Wheaton, a department spokesperson, said.
Applications are due by Nov. 17, and can be submitted through an online portal at Columbus.gov/nala. The program will run from March to November next year.
Last year, the program’s 16 participants attended discussions and presentations on topics ranging from the building code to the state legislative process. Presentations were made by nonprofit groups and city departments like the mayor’s office, the city attorney and the auditor. Consultants led sessions on communication and leadership skills.
“It’s about pulling the curtain back and letting folks get a sense of how things work and how they can connect,” Todd Dieffenderfer, the department’s deputy director, told The Dispatch for a feature about the program last fall.
Abdi Soofe, the program’s coordinator, explained, “Instead of folks relying on (us), we empower them so they can improve their business, and get access to services, and educate people from their own communities.”
Peter Gill covers immigration and new American communities for The Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America here:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.
pgill@dispatch.com