Sage Leaders

The community leadership institute (cli) is a 6-month fellowship that trains emerging Leaders in issues such as housing, land use, transit, climate and economic development. Graduates learn the nuts and bolts of local government processes such as municipal budgeting, parliamentary procedures, and lawmaking, as well as advocacy, storytelling and communication skills. In 2023, cli graduated 12 members from their inaugural 2022-2023 clark county cohort for residents of the vancouver, wa area. 11 of the 12 participants identify as bipoc and 80% of these participants have applied to or been accepted to public or community centered boards.

In 2023, our 8 political leadership council (plc) members vetted and endorsed 27 bipoc candidates from 6 different counties in Washington state. Plc members are grassroots community Leaders who have completed our community leadership institute. By participating in the plc, members gain direct exposure to campaigns and have an opportunity to build relationships with local candidates. Of the 27 candidates endorsed, 19 of them won their race. We also ran our bipoc candidate cohort, which is a peer support group that offers training resources for progressive civic Leaders interested in running for office. In 2023, 12 bipoc candidates from across Washington state convened 8 sessions, each focusing on a key aspect of campaigning.

In 2023 we hired a manager for our local elected leadership institute (leli), which was first held in 2021, and is a support group for progressive bipoc Leaders serving in local elected office at the city or county level in Washington state. This manager has focused on curriculum development and recruitment for a new cohort in 2024.

All other programs