NLI Celebrates 25th Class of Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland

(From Neighborhood Leader, Summer 2009 issue)

More than 150 graduates and supporters of Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland gathered in May to celebrate the program's 25th graduating class.

The celebration was held on the campus of Cleveland State University. The university has been a lead partner in Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland since the program's inception in 1994.

The festivities included award presentations, musical performances, and a keynote speech by one of the program's founders.

The ceremony also featured reflections from several members of Class 25, who talked about how the class had enriched their skills and broadened their perspectives.

Addressing the NLC facilitators and referring to the program's asset-based philosophy, Class 25 member Emily Peck said, "You have taught us a better way of looking at our neighbors."

Classmate Teresha Sims called the neighborhood tour "an eye-opening and life-changing event."

Chris Howse, another member of the graduating class, grew effusive as he added up the program's benefits: "We learned negotiating skills, listening skills, conflict resolution, consensus-building skills. It was a Dale Carnegie class on steroids!"

Previous graduates attending the ceremony echoed the graduating class's sentiments.

Pam Poindexter-Crews (Class 19), currently the vice president of the Maple Heights Board of Education, said, "I never, ever considered myself holding a public office until I took the class."

Minnie Scruggs (Class 16) noted, "If I had not been in Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland, I would not have had as large a group of community partners."

Keynote speaker Rollie Smith urged the graduates—past and present—to recognize their collective potential.

"You've got all that great learning [from the NLC class]," said Smith, "but if you stay together and build the alumni association, that’s where the power is going to be."