CALCASA’s national leadership project in partnership with WOCN, Inc., LEAP (Leadership Education and Advancement for Professionals) convened its current cohort 4 Academy II on January 23-24 in Los Angeles, CA. The two-days were filled with skills and leadership development on nonprofit management and discussions on visioning our leadership in the sexual assault and domestic violence movement. The 15 Fellows also delivered their LEAPTalks (borrowing from TEDTalks) on various leadership and skills topics that were covered since the start of their cohort program. Several themes among the presentations were: growing as a WOC leader, mentoring others in culturally specific communities into leadership roles, programs sustainability, and self-care in leadership.
As we closed the two days together, Fellows reflected on what they were carrying with them as they return home. Many shared that the connection and professional (as well as personal) support LEAP has provided them along with the skills development has been and continues to be a solid source of affirmation that they are the leaders that they are looking for. The 15 Fellows are members of a larger network of 69 LEAP Leaders across the US and US territories impacting culturally specific communities through their leadership.