NLDP Cleveland

📣 Shout-out to Shanelle Simmons, graduate of NLDP's Cohort XIII 📣

Shanelle was recently recognized as a 2026 Emerging Leader by Who's Who in Black Cleveland, an honor that celebrates individuals who are making meaningful contributions to their professions, organizations and communities.

Since graduating from NLDP, Shanelle has continued to demonstrate the leadership, commitment and community-centered vision that help strengthen neighborhoods and create positive change across Greater Cleveland. We are proud to see her work and impact recognized through this distinguished honor.

Congratulations, Shanelle! 👏

NLDP and CDCLP were honored to welcome staff from the Mandel Foundation's Boston office for a day of learning, dialogue and discovery in Cleveland. Through a presentation led by NLDP and CDCLP, staff from both the Cleveland and Boston offices of the Mandel Foundation gained insight into our leadership development work and its impact across the city. Additionally, NLDP and CDCLP staff learned about the leadership programs being run in Boston, sparking shared learning and new ideas for strengthening communities in both cities.

NLDP graduates shared their experiences in the program during engaging roundtable conversations, while CDCLP graduates led a tour highlighting Mandel Foundation investments and neighborhood transformation efforts in MidTown and St. Clair Superior.

Thank you to our graduates for sharing their leadership journeys and helping showcase the power of resident- and community-led change!

🌟 NLDP 2026 Graduate Grantee Spotlight Series 🌟
Graduate Grantee: Recellanese Williams

Meet Recellanese Williams, founder of Tarajia Resilience, a youth-centered initiative rooted in education and community empowerment. Drawing on decades of experience working with young people, Recellanese created Tarajia Resilience to address gaps in access to academic enrichment, mental health supports and structured summer programming, especially for families facing economic hardship.

Through tutoring, a six-week summer camp and year-round outreach, Tarajia Resilience supports youth development while providing essential resources such as meals, school supplies and community services. Recellanese’s vision is clear: create safe, nurturing spaces where young people can grow academically, socially and emotionally—while strengthening the support systems around them.

💡Learn more about Tarajia Resilience here: https://loom.ly/DuzL5tk

And, we're back! ✨

NLDP has officially kicked off another year of leadership development, coaching and learning with our new Cohort XIX. Our 22 participants spent the day exploring Cleveland's history, building relationships with fellow cohort members and being introduced to the core components of the NLDP experience.

Participants:
🔹 Learned about the history and development of Cleveland's neighborhoods
🔹 Explored the connection between communication, trust and leadership
🔹 Connected with fellow cohort members through discussion and shared experiences
🔹 Reflected on leadership intentions, active listening and personal growth
🔹 Began forming an understanding of how local history can inform present-day community leadership

Thank you to Dr. John Grabowski, our coaching team and Cohort XIX participants for helping launch another year of NLDP. And, a very special shout-out to six graduates from our recent Cohort XVIII: Tanisha Jordan, Donnell Carey, Eleanor Tye, Tinisha Hairston, Samantha Montanez and Diana Hildebrand for their help in setting Cohort XIX up for success! They volunteered a significant amount of their time to help us prepare binders, pack bags with materials and write notes to our new participants. Thank you, graduates. 💚

🚫 Recruitment for NLDP's Cohort XIX is officially closed.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and assistance this summer in reaching more community leaders who are making positive change in Cleveland's neighborhoods. As we continue to finalize the 22 members of our next cohort, we are looking forward to introducing you to this group of dynamic leaders in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned and follow Cohort XIX on their NLDP journey!

🚨 STOP! Don't scroll past this reminder...

There are only hours left to apply to participate in NLDP's Cohort XIX. Join our network of 350+ neighborhood-based leaders who are striving to create positive change in their communities each and every day.

Applications are due at 5pm today. Don't miss out: https://loom.ly/UAUYFOY

Leadership can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.

NLDP connects you with hundreds of leaders across Cleveland who share your vision for progress. Together, graduates are building a stronger city, one neighborhood at a time.

⏰ Applications to participate in NLDP's Cohort XIX are due this Friday, July 31st. Don't miss your chance to join the NLDP community: https://loom.ly/UAUYFOY

This is what Cleveland looks like.

Not the skyline. Not the landmarks.

The people who show up, invest in others and believe our neighborhoods deserve strong leadership.

Our incredible NLDP and CDC Leadership Program coaches gathered at last month's Coaches Retreat to celebrate the work of developing leaders across the city. Behind every coach — and, graduate — of our leadership programs is a shared belief: Cleveland gets stronger when leaders grow together.

Applications for both programs close July 31st. Help us find the next generation of leaders who will continue to shape Cleveland's neighborhoods.

💜 Apply for CDCLP Cohort VI: https://loom.ly/fr2hHJw
💚 Apply for NLDP Cohort XIX: https://loom.ly/UAUYFOY

❔ Who do you know in the community?

Almost two weeks ago, NLDP graduates invited leaders they know to learn more about our skills-based leadership program. Attendees received information about our 16-session curriculum, program coaching and graduate support — the three core pillars of NLDP.

Attendees also had an opportunity to hear directly from graduates of our program, ask questions they had about our program and network with fellow attendees and graduates. Out of our 68 total attendees, we met 25 guests and connected with 43 graduates. And, we have received 7 applications so far from our event guests... let's keep that number growing!

Thank you to our Graduate Committee for helping us plan, execute and make the evening so welcoming. We look forward to seeing the connections sparked at this event continue to grow!

✨ Interested in becoming part of the next generation of neighborhood leaders? Recruitment is now open for NLDP Cohort XIX... learn more here: https://loom.ly/UAUYFOY

Special shout-out to a few of the artists in the room who left behind some of their artwork. 🫶

🌟 NLDP 2026 Graduate Grantee Spotlight Series 🌟
Graduate Grantee: Tracy Patton Cohort XV

Meet Tracy Patton, founder of Survived to Live for Women in Recovery and creator of the Stolen Moments Project. Designed for senior women in Cleveland’s Ward 5, Stolen Moments addresses a growing but often overlooked need—social isolation, loneliness and loss of purpose among older adults, particularly women of color and women in recovery.

Through weekly gatherings focused on wellness, creativity, cultural connection and harm reduction, Tracy is restoring joy, belonging and community during a time when many seniors feel disconnected. The program meets women where they are—both physically and emotionally—while creating space for laughter, learning and healing.

Stolen Moments reminds us that it’s never too late for connection—and that community is essential at every stage of life.