Pull Me Up: New Leaders Council Launches 11 Chapters in 2010

I may be only 25, but I am still concerned about the progress of those around me. I want to make sure all young people have the tools, the networks, the opportunities to succeed and make this world a better place. I wouldn't be where I am today without someone pulling me UP and having faith in the person I can be.

This is why I volunteer as the Chief Technology Officer of New Leaders Council.  We are a completely volunteer non-profit that is extending to 11 cities around the country in 2010. By January, we will have infrastructure to train the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs in the following places: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Chicago, Louisiana, Missoula, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC and Boston.

The mission of the NLC is to identify, train and support these new leaders across the country - those who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America.

NLC believes in recruiting emerging leaders from outside of the traditional power structures, engaging them on both local and national levels, and equipping them to be civic leaders - not only for elective office, but also in their communities and workplaces.

NLC accomplishes this mission primarily through the NLC Institute; the nation's premiere political entrepreneurship training program that builds local teams of outstanding young professionals in twelve cities across the nation. NLC Fellows engage in ten days of intensive training over a five-month period to learn cutting-edge entrepreneurship, leadership, and political management skills from over 150 industry-leading volunteer faculty. Upon graduation, Fellows are paired with career mentors, join a national alumni network, and agree to fundraise to support the next class of Fellows.

The result of NLC is a growing corps of diverse and highly-skilled new progressive leaders who rise to the top of their fields, working together across sectors and in their local cities to build, expand, and improve the progressive infrastructure necessary for strong democracy, social justice, and equal opportunity.

On September 15th, 2009 we have a fundraiser in Washington DC with former Gov. Howard Dean, California Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, and several other elected officials to celebrate the expansion of this notable leadership training program. On October 14, we will celebrate 11 events in 11 cities across the nation that will work to recruit, inform and engage the progressive community about our mission to train the next generation of political entrepreneurs. On October 18th, we will accept applications from those young leaders (age 22 - 35) who want to be part of the NLC fellowship program in 2010.

I am an activist. But I am also a teacher. We can't act unless someone reaches down to then pulls us up.

I hope you will consider joining the NLC event in Washington, DC on 9/15, participating in a local event for NLC Day on October 14th or applying to be a fellow in the 2010 NLC Institutes. You can also become a Fan of NLC on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @NewLeadersCncl.

Are you ready to change the world? I am. Let's go.