
Leaders
Improving our urban communities requires a stream of emerging and existing leaders dedicated to addressing pressing issues. To meet these challenges, we created the Urban Leadership Development Initiative (ULDI).
“As a community, we share common goals to make the livelihoods of all people better.”
The year-long program teaches select individuals how to identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and build coalitions designed to foster positive, long-term change.
Each participant is required to design and implement a “change effort” to improve an urban neighborhood. A critical component of this effort is the personal connection and mentorship from Raymond A. Jetson.

Join us as we bring community leaders together to build a better world and push for real change to make a difference.


Graduated Cohorts
BR Leads
Leading Movements
Blog, BRLeads, Think Pieces, activists, Leadership, movements, Urban CommunitiesWritten by: Sherreta R. Harrison In any moment of societal upheaval, there emerges a unique and necessary role: the activist. An activist is one who is usually aware of causes and challenges before the rest of the world and tries tireles...
Philan’ Yourself
Blog, BRLeads, Philanthropy, Think PiecesWritten by: Lauren Crump Sometimes, philanthropy gets in its own way. Etymologically, it’s “the love of humanity”. In practice, it’s a financial contribution. But in many circles, it’s considered an opportunity and distinction ...
Navigating Education through A New Pandemic
Blog, BRLeads, Think Pieces, COVID19, educationWritten by: Moon Muhammad On March 13th, in the midst of an unrelenting course collaboration, we got word that the governor had announced school closures. To be fair, only a handful of first – year teachers had gotten the word at my sc...
What You Should Know About Systems Change
Blog, BRLeads, Think Pieces, Systems, systems changeWritten by: Luke St. John McKnight During times of uncertainty and unrest there is often much discussion around the need for systems change, the societal software update. Systems change by its nature is a complex and ever evolving field,...
Leading Change in an Ever- Changing Environment
Blog, BRLeads, Think Pieces, COVID19, LeadershipWritten by: Johnathan S. Hill Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic, recent tragedies involving African-Americans and law enforcement and the word-wide response to both of these events has presented individuals, organizations, institutions, b...
Submit your application for the 2022/2023 Cohort. The application has 3 parts. To be considered for ULDI, each applicant must:
- Complete the application
- Pay the $50 Program Fee* (refundable if not accepted)
- Complete the interview.
Applications must be submitted by April 2nd.
The Urban Leadership Development Initiative class begins in May and ends in April of the following year.
*Program Fee covers a portion of the curriculum materials.

