This January of 2024, 18 inspiring Fellows began an extraordinary journey with LatinoLEAD's nationally recognized Avanzando Liderazgo Program (ALP). As the most impactful and comprehensive Latine leadership development program in Minnesota, ALP offers a transformative experience that goes beyond typical professional development. It blends leadership training, cultural growth, power-building, and healing into a cohesive, impactful program designed to shape and elevate the Latine leadership narrative.
A Transformative Experience
ALP isn’t just a leadership program; it’s a movement. We harness the strength of shared experiences and a Latine-centered curriculum specifically tailored to our community. Here’s what makes ALP stand out:
Comprehensive Training: Over six months, our Fellows engage in a blend of virtual and in-person sessions, all rooted in an enriching Latine-centric curriculum. This comprehensive training equips them with the tools needed to take the next step in their leadership journey.
Coaching: Each Fellow is paired with a dedicated coach, offering guidance to confidently overcome hurdles and achieve their full potential. This support is provided through the lens of holistic wellness and mental health, ensuring a well-rounded development process.
Community Connections: ALP emphasizes the importance of forging meaningful bonds and building a community of trust. Fellows develop the support systems necessary to navigate future challenges and continue their leadership journey with confidence.
Leverage Tu Cultura: Immersed in an environment that champions cross-ethnic solidarity, Fellows focus on the achievements and potential of the Latine community, fostering a sense of pride and purpose.
Action-Centric Learning: Our program is designed to turn ambitions into reality with integrated, hands-on organizing components. Fellows envision collaborations that serve a collective purpose, driving real-world impact.
Collaborative Growth: ALP creates a nurturing ecosystem where Fellows and alumni uplift one another, ensuring the dynamic evolution of the program and its participants.
Celebrating Success: ALP Graduation
On Saturday, June 8th, we concluded our ALP experience with a celebratory brunch attended by friends and family. This graduation event was more than just a conclusion; it was a celebration of our Fellows' hard work, growth, dedication over the past six months; and a new beginning of transformation for Latine leaders in our region.
Our goals for the graduation event were to recognize, elevate, and celebrate the ALP cohort, fostering networking and relationship-building among our Fellows and their close friends and family. Additionally, we aimed to inform our network and partners about ALP’s objectives and its growing impact throughout Minnesota.
In the words of Cristina Archila, one of our 2024 ALP Cohort Alumna, “In sessions or meetups, not only were we sharing wisdom with one another, but we offer support. It’s not uncommon when meeting with this collective for someone to say, “Hey, I know someone, let me connect you!” It’s a beautiful thing to experience the authenticity and realness behind your wins are my wins and my wins are your wins. This was the energy and momentum I was looking for and this energy and momentum is what will continue to drive the Latine community forward. Friendships would emerge in this process, laughs would be shared and shoulders would be leaned upon as we called on each other for support. Whether attending our events, sharing our passions and success on each other’s socials or just even sharing a Loons game, it was clear something special has blossomed. Not only among the group, but within myself. While I’ve always been a disrupter of sorts, this experience has reinforced the courage within me, to be my authentic self always, to unapologetically take up spaces, particularly as a multiracial Latina, who also happens to be a no sabo kid and that in this, I am not alone. I have a beautiful community that I get to champion and who champions me. Thank you again LatinoLEAD, for allowing me the opportunity to connect, to be in community and ultimately, to grow.”
Looking Forward
As we reflect on the success of this year's Avanzando Liderazgo Program, we are excited about the future. The impact of ALP is evident not only in the achievements of our current Fellows but also in the growing network of alumni who continue to uplift and support each other. This dynamic evolution ensures that ALP remains a vital force in advancing Latine leadership across Minnesota.
We are deeply grateful to our partners, supporters, and the entire LatinoLEAD community for making this journey possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future for our Latine leaders.
Stay tuned for more updates on ALP and other initiatives as we continue to elevate and inspire our comunidad.
Join Us
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of this transformative experience, consider joining the next cohort of ALP. Applications will open in August and close in September. Make sure to sign up to our monthly Nuestra Fuerza Newsletter to stay up to date about ALP and all things LatinoLEAD. Together, we can continue to create a powerful impact and shape the future of Latine leadership.
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