L-R: Congressman Andy Kim and NPC Vice Chair MaryEllen Veliz; StoryCorps CEO Sandy Clark; Chair of  the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Dianna Houenou and cannabis entrepreneur Tony Payton Jr. 

Hi, friend!

What do you get when you combine community, connection, and collaboration? Progress.

This July, 250+ NLC alumni and supporters united in Philadelphia for three days of programming that centered around community care. The Convention’s theme, “Where Stories Become Action,” uplifted the power of sharing our stories to advance progress. Together we discovered that our individual experiences can spark collective change. 

If you missed the 2022 NLC Convention, you can read a quick recap on the NLC Newsroom.

After three years apart, we knew this Convention had to be different. We knew that we had to make space to acknowledge the collective tiredness that changemakers share, but also provide collective healing through revitalizing content. Thanks to our presenters and attendees sharing their stories, we were able to find rejuvenation together in Philadelphia. 

Convention reminded us that self-care is revolutionary, that living in our full identities is freedom, and that nothing can make us turn away from our calling as changemakers. With the wisdom and connection shared with each other, our movement is energized in our commitment to progress.

Here are just some of the speakers who joined us in Philly:

And we also had a couple surprises, including a quick visit from Philadelphia Attorney General Josh Shapiro. And moments of vulnerability rose to the top, like when we sang “Can’t Nobody Turn Me Around” as a group, led by FSG’s Miya Cain.

“This isn’t a moment, it’s a movement,” said President and CEO Clare Bresnahan English in her welcome remarks. “In this room, progress feels inevitable. But for it to be inevitable, we will have to be indomitable. We’ll have to stick together. We'll have to fight for each other. We’ll have to be relentless in our vision for progress.” 

As we all returned home from Philadelphia to our home chapters, we knew we must continue to keep up the momentum of the movement. 

Here are three ways to take action now,

friend 

• Prospective fellows: Apply to be an Institute Fellow in your local chapter
• Alumni and supporters: Nominate someone to apply for the 2023 Institute
• Alumni: Volunteer on your local chapter board to help with recruitment, selections, communications, and more.

Thank you for continuously sharing your time and energy with New Leaders Council. Together, united, we make progress possible in our country and communities. 

Karen Pandy-Cherry
Vice President of Programming
New Leaders Council

New Leaders Council
1050 Connecticut Ave NW #66004
Washington, DC 20035
United States

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