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The 2026 Multicultural Leadership Academy Application Is Now Open!

Applications must be completed by 12:30 a.m. CST on December 15, 2025

Apply here

About the Multicultural Leadership Academy

The Multicultural Leadership Academy is a professional development program that equips leaders with the skills, networks, and cross-cultural understanding necessary to build and strengthen relationships between Black and Latine communities, drive social change, and advance community empowerment across Illinois.

Given the history of racial segregation, alliance building across communities requires a deliberate and intentional approach. The program acknowledges the significant leadership attributes inherent in the history and cultural DNA of Black and Latine communities. Various modalities are utilized, including cultural anthropology, arts, and the creation of sacred space.

The program consists of a series of workshops on community organizing, policy, arts, and culture and centers the perspectives and leadership traditions of Latine, Afro Latine, and African American communities.

The Academy’s core learning competencies include:

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders contribute to change that uplifts others, creates motivating workplaces, communicates an inspiring vision and establishes a compelling moral and ethical framework.

Intercultural Understanding

Foster an understanding of Illinois’ Latine, Afro Latine, and African American communities and identify common interests.

Social Change/Policy Action/Community Empowerment

Participants will collaborate with their cohort via affinity groups on how to create a better, more equitable Illinois through social change, policy action and community empowerment. 

Arts Expression

Participants will learn how to leverage the arts as a catalyst for individual and group creativity and innovation.

Now in its sixteenth year, the Latino Policy Forum has engaged and trained more than 320 leaders from more than 200 community organizations committed to unifying and strengthening Black and Latine communities in Illinois.

Who Should Apply

Emerging and established community leaders who have experience working with Black and Latine communities and a demonstrated commitment to social change, policy impact and/or community empowerment. Applicants must be affiliated with an organization that will sponsor their participation and can be employers, employees, board members, or volunteers at their sponsoring organization.

Everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, is encouraged to apply. The Forum is committed to creating a diverse network of leaders, and while primarily focused and centered on the perspectives of Latines, Afro Latines, and African Americans, the program acknowledges the contributions of all people to the history and social fabric of Illinois.

What Graduates Say

“The Multicultural Leadership Academy has allowed me to make meaningful connections and receive training to grow as a leader and individual but most importantly, it has allowed me to have conversations that I had wanted to have for a long time. It has allowed me to learn about individuals from different backgrounds and their experiences as leaders, advocates, and fighters. MLA has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my professional life.” — Diego Valdivia, 2024 Graduate

“The MLA program provided a platform for building solid, meaningful relationships addressing social interaction challenges. As leaders, we were motivated to see diversity as a strength, promoting respect and harmony. Additionally, the program brings communities together through education, open communication, and action. By understanding and promoting different cultures, this unity harnesses everyone’s abilities for positive change, inspiring hope and optimism.” — Jaime L. Enge, PhD, 2024 Graduate

Cost

The Multicultural Leadership Academy costs $10,000 per participant. The Latino Policy Forum subsidizes 75% of this investment, so we ask that sponsoring organizations contribute $2,500.

We understand this may be a challenge for some organizations, so limited scholarships may be available, and we are happy to discuss flexible arrangements.

Schedule

The program consists of workshops, overnight retreats, affinity group work, and concludes with a graduation event. Applicants must commit to participating in all events, activities, and affinity group work and completion of assignments, problem solving, and other technical assistance.

Saturday Workshop Dates (1/2 days):
  • Saturday, January 31, 2026 
  • Saturday, March 28, 2026   
  • Saturday, April 25, 2026 
  • Saturday, May 30, 2026 
Overnight Retreat Dates:
  • Thursday, February 26 through Saturday, February 28, 2026 
  • Thursday, June 18 through Saturday, June 20, 2026 
Affinity Group Work:

Affinity groups will create, share, and implement a collaboratively developed action plan on a topic of the group’s choosing.

  • Schedule to be determined by participants in July.
Graduation
  • Last week of August 2026, date to be scheduled

Application Requirements

  • Applicants must reside in Illinois. 
  • Individuals representing suburban and rural organizations are strongly encouraged to apply. 
  • Applicant must be an employee, board member, or volunteer of an organization that is actively engaged in social change, policy impact and/or community improvement. 
  • Applicant must demonstrate experience working in or with Black and/or Latine communities.  
  • Sign a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to the roles and responsibilities for participation in the Academy. 

To complete the application, you will need:  

  • Demographic and contact information  
  • To complete two questions about leadership and community needs 
  • Your personal bio  
  • Resume 
  • Two recommendations to be completed online by your sponsoring organization and someone who can speak to why you are a strong fit for MLA. 

Click here to apply. Applications must be completed by 12:30 am CST on December 15, 2025.

Final selections will be made by a selection committee based on both the quality of the application and to ensure a balanced cohort based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, geography, etc. Selected applicants will receive written notification via email.

For additional information regarding the Multicultural Leadership Academy and the application process, please attend one of the three virtual information sessions on:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
3:00 -3:30 p.m.
Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 841 6727 9860

Thursday, December 4, 2025
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 827 5499 7700

Friday, December 5, 2025
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 858 3147 8060

If you have any questions, please contact: NiCole Ward, Senior Program Manager.

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