Rising to Excellence: Voices of the 2024 Cohort

This journey has been one of great resilience, and deep reflection.
In the midst of balancing life's challenges and personal hurdles, I pressed forward with the goal of making my family proud and honoring God in all that I do. It wasn't always easy, but I'm thankful for the strength and support I've been blessed with along the way.
To the AALI community, thank you for this wonderful opportunity and for surrounding me with leaders who not only uplift but also challenge me to reach my highest potential.
This experience has been a transformative chapter in my life.
From passionate policy discussions to hands-on community engagement, we've learned to amplify our voices and drive meaningful civic change. We've also built friendships that will last a lifetime.
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I'm filled with gratitude for the connections made, the lessons learned, and the vision for change we've cultivated together.
From the start, I knew AALI would challenge and grow me as a leader, but what I didn't anticipate was how deeply it would transform my life.
This experience has been about so much more than leadership skills or civic awareness.
It's been about the connections that we've made, and connecting with the rich history of our Black community in Austin, with the incredible minds and resilient spirits of my fellow graduates, and with a vision for making a real impact in our communities.
I love my AALI Cohort, and I love my city!
I'm incredibly grateful for the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the encouragement to get involved in the community and be the change I want to see in our city.
The Cohort Class of 2024 has officially activated into the Austin community!
This was a 10-month journey full of learnings, deep connections and conversations, and most importantly for me, community building.
Sitting with so much gratitude as l cross over to the alumni side of AALI.
For the last 10 months, the 2024 AALI Cohort has moved mountains spiritually and collectively. Words can't describe how I feel about my AALI leaders and Cohort family.
Thank you for allowing me to exist and lead just as I am, for pouring into me, and pushing me outside of my comfort zone! Big thanks to my peers for choosing and trusting me to represent our Cohort as an Ambassador!

Inspiring with Passion: Voices of the 2023 Cohort

AALI has been one of the most profound and enriching experiences of my life!
It has provided me invaluable insights, expanded my network with like-minded individuals, and challenged my perspectives in ways I had never anticipated. The lessons I have garnered and the connections I have made will undoubtedly guide me for years to come as I continue to grow and evolve personally and professionally.
My AALI Fellows have become a vital part of my journey, offering support, wisdom, and encouragement. Their collective experiences and shared knowledge have equipped me with tools and perspectives I will carry forward, ensuring that the impact of AALI remains deeply embedded in my future endeavors.
I am beyond blessed to say that these amazing leaders feel like my family now, and much more than just friends/ colleagues.
Over the last ten months it has been such an honor and amazing privilege to be a fellow in the 2023 Cohort of the African American Leadership Institute. As we wrapped up our graduation this past week I have nothing but gratitude in my heart and drive in my soul to continue pushing forward.
To summarize my appearances over the past year in a few paragraphs would not do this cohort justice. This 3rd Cohort became so close as we laughed, cried, shared joy, sorrow, and anger together.
My personal and professional growth would not be where it is now without every one of them.
I can't help but look back at the incredible journey we've been on together.
Over the past ten months, AALI Cohort 3 has grown, learned, and inspired one another in ways we never imagined. From day one, we set out to hone our leadership skills, but we accomplished something more remarkable in the newly formed bonds and relationships. This experience has been profound and a reminder of why I chose a career in public service. It has also been a reminder that leaders need community as well.
Thank you for creating a safe space for the 2023 AALI Cohort. This was an incredible opportunity to build community.
Here's to a brighter future as a leader, shaped by the invaluable lessons and connections made in the warm embrace of AALI.
The African American Leadership Institute owes me nothing! As I look back on my journey as a graduate of Cohort 3 in AALI, my heart overflows with gratitude and a warm sense of nostalgia. Every moment I spent in this program was simply amazing. The sessions we had were like stepping stones that led me on a path of personal and professional transformation I'll cherish forever.
What made this experience truly exceptional was the incredible community we built together. It's not an exaggeration to say that the people I met here became my second family. We started as strangers and left as friends bound by a unique connection and shared dreams.
AALI has been a compass that guided me towards new opportunities and aspirations I never knew I had.
Each and every one of you truly inspire me.
To my fellow 2023 Cohorts, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to share space with you this year. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for us all.
From the first day, it was apparent that AALI was a transformative journey.
Participation in the 3rd Cohort of the African American Leadership Institute (AALI) has truly been the experience of a lifetime. Words cannot adequately express the impact it has had on my personal and professional growth.
The opportunity to be a part of this esteemed institute been nothing short of incredible. One of the most invaluable aspects of the AALI experience has been the relationships formed.
Collaborating with like-minded individuals who are passionate about driving positive change in their communities has been both inspiring and motivating.

Making an Impact: Voices of the 2022 Cohort

What an incredible honor and experience. I now belong to one of the most life-changing initiatives known to Austin.
It was an incredible honor and experience as we were introduced and surrounded by highly respected community leaders and officials. Anyone currently living in Austin or moving to Austin wondering where Black people are, looking for a community of highly intellectual black leaders or slightly interested in being a part of a much bigger cause, I highly recommend applying for AALI 2023. Expect Bigger Next Year!
I had the privilege of joining an amazing group of black leaders, as part of the 2022 Cohort.
One of the first questions I asked myself when moving to Austin was 'where are all the black people?' I was introduced to a fellow from the 2021 Cohort who encouraged me to apply as a way to connect with the community. My experience surpassed any and all expectations! We have convened to gain deeper, critical insight on the issues affecting our communities. I feel so blessed to share this experience with other fellows! I can confidently say that Austin is feeling more like home now.
Whew! I'm blessed and so grateful.
The African American Leadership Institute has allowed me to connect with some of Austin's Black Leaders and explore the current state of Black education, affordability, business, economics, policy and more. The real value is in the relationships. Building bonds with good, passionate, people has been priceless.
What a life! Here's to the next chapter!
The African American Leadership Institute Austin's 2022 Cohort closing ceremony was just as amazing as the entire experience has been. For the past 8 months, our group of fellows have been poured into in a tremendous way.
I'm extremely grateful! My hopes are that, through our continued activism and magnification of key issues, our mighty lion-hearted Framily will make many ripples of change throughout the city of Austin.

Leading the Change: Voices of the 2021 Cohort

As a rising leader in the community, AALI has expanded my ability to serve.
As a member of the first cohort of AALI, I have been exposed to intellectual resources that have opened doors for me. During our July panel discussion, I made a comment concerning the lack of workforce development opportunities for the formerly incarcerated population.
Within two hours of making that comment, I was scheduled to meet with a Texas Workforce Commissioner for the following week to discuss expanding training and workforce development opportunities for the formerly incarcerated population in Travis County!
My hours of conversation with AALI staff, fellows, and mind-blowing presenters have provided a North Star and a do-better plan.
As one in the program's class of first fellows, my AALI experience has come to an end. Only now am I able to fully register how I've grown. Now, I know HOW to know what Austin and specifically the layered subcategories of Austin's Black community needs.
My hours of conversation with AALI staff, fellows, and mind-blowing presenters have provided a North Star and a do-better plan. Boards and volunteer efforts, I'm coming for you!