Leadership


Empowering community leaders with the skills and resources they need to advocate for change. By strengthening leadership within our communities, we pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.

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Multicultural Leadership Academy

The Multicultural Leadership Academy (MLA), formerly known as the Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy, is a program that aims to provide a diverse group of civic leaders with the leadership skills needed to facilitate collaboration between Latinos and African-Americans through intercultural collaboration and social action. Each year, around 24 civic leaders are selected to participate in our six-month leadership training program. Applicants must be sponsored by organizations committed to serving communities of color throughout Illinois. 

Program History

In 2009, the Latino Policy Forum launched the Illinois Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy, a leadership development program. The aim of the program was to engage and train agents of change committed to strengthening the Latino community. After six years, it evolved into the Multicultural Leadership Academy (MLA) in an effort to create a diverse network of established and emerging civic leaders actively involved in social change, policy impact, and community improvements. By providing access to a series of workshops, networking events, and community projects, the MLA strives to ensure that civic leaders serve Latino and African-American communities.

As of 2020, the Latino Policy Forum has trained over 230 leaders from more than 200 organizations through its leadership academies.

Program Curriculum

The Academy’s core learning competencies for participants and their organizations include: 

  • Arts Expression: Using the arts as a catalyst for individual and group creativity and innovation. 
  • Intercultural Understanding: Fostering an understanding of Illinois’ Latino and African-American communities and identify their common interests. 
  • Social Change, Policy Action & Community Improvement: Collaborating via ‘affinity groups’ on how to create a better, more equitable Illinois through social change, policy action, and community improvement. 
  • Transformational Leadership: Leading the way for change by uplifting, motivating, and inspiring others with a clear vision and establishing a compelling moral and ethical framework. 

Participant Benefits 

The Academy will:  

  • Foster a space where multicultural leaders can develop their skills as leaders and visionaries while enhancing their effectiveness as agents of social change, policy impact, and community improvement. 
  • Contribute to a cohesive network of leaders committed to improving their communities through the establishment of intercultural relationships and trust. 
  • Understand how racial and ethnic groups become assets to transformational leadership and collaborative social action. 

What Our Alumni Say

Testimonials from past MLA participants

“My participation in the MLA was an amazing out-of-body experience that forced me to challenged everything I believed about myself!”

Kisha Ingram
MLA ’23

“MLA gave me the opportunity to meet and build deep, meaningful relationships with black and brown leaders in many different fields and disciplines…”

Edwin Ortiz
MLA ’23

“In the span of just a few months, 25 strangers became my prevailing source of hope and inspiration during the most trying social, economic and political time I have ever experienced…”

Jonathan Fair
MLA ’20

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