HOPE Collaborative’s Leadership Institute is a six-month leadership development and training program for Oakland community members working towards social change and health equity.”  The goal of the Leadership Institute is to strengthen the capacity of Oakland residents to take leadership roles in the Collaborative, in their communities, and within the broader policy arena.

The six-month program uses a participatory method that builds on the knowledge and skills that already exist in a community and deepens participants’ knowledge of how changes in the local food system and built environment can decrease the equity gap in Oakland.  Participants build skills for advancing social change at the community level, such as:

• Community organizing
• Policy advocacy
• Group and meeting facilitation
• Communications

In March 2012, HOPE Collaborative graduated our first Leadership Institute cohort, comprised of both long-time and emerging leaders from East and West Oakland.  We conducted our first round in partnership with SEVEN Generations, a group that works with nonprofits in order to “give breath” to the wisdom that already exists within a group.