Spoiler Alert: The answer to this question is a resounding “yes, and we’re doing it every day.” Academically, civic engagement is defined as “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” (Excerpted from Civic Responsibility and Higher Education, edited by Thomas Ehrlich, published by Oryx Press, 2000, Preface, page vi.)

In April 2021, we introduced our inaugural National Advisory Board. In this new series of posts, we’re diving in with our board members to learn about their careers, inspirations, and vision for the future.

In April 2021, we introduced our inaugural National Advisory Board. In this new series of posts, we’re diving in with our board members to learn about their careers, inspirations, and vision for the future.

The Leaders of Color program was launched to support Black and Latino people as they work to become community leaders. Community leadership can mean a lot of things, including running for elected office. We are proud that two Leaders of Color alumni ran for office in the New York City election primaries in June 2021. Abou Diakhate (for Council District 49 in Staten Island) and Jermaine Sean Smith (for Council District 27 in Queens) both graduated from the Leaders of Color inaugural cohort in New York City in 2020.