http://www.newleaderscouncil.org/

New Leaders Council - Atlanta, Atlanta, GA (2026)

03/31/2026

From institute weekends to Sunday dinner, the NLC Atlanta Class of 2026 is building community beyond the program. 🤩

03/28/2026

✨ And the work continues with another great weekend for the Class of 2026 ✨

Fellows showed up ready to do the work, presenting on a range of policy issues, including health care, voting rights, and more, while also engaging in conversations around policy ecosystems, wealth building, fundraising, and what lies ahead in the capstone journey.

We are grateful to our guest speakers Councilwoman YT Bell, School Board Member Jasmine Bowles, Hon. Sandra Vincent, Sterling Johnson, Dr. Alex Camardelle, and Jared Tolbert for leading dynamic discussions.

And a special thank you to our sponsors DeMarcus Hill, Shari Blalock, Dr. Reńe Marshall, and Korri Jones for keeping our fellows fueled throughout the weekend💫

03/18/2026

NLC Atlanta, it’s time to show up for one of our own! 🔥

Round 1 of Capstone Clash starts NOW, and our very own Rich Tenor (NLC Atlanta 2025)- is in the mix with Firstgig AKA Community Connect App (a powerful project creating real impact.)

The “Terrific Ten” are live: ten capstones, ten Fellows from the Class of 2025 building meaningful change. Let’s make sure Atlanta is represented in the next round.

📢 How to vote:

💬 Leave a comment with “Rich Tenor” recent post

🔄 You can vote for multiple capstones, but only one vote per submission per round

📍 Only votes on Instagram count

The top 4 capstones advance to Round 2, so let’s help get Rich there!!

🕛 Voting Period: March 18, 2026 (12:00 PM ET) – March 20, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)

🔗 Read full capstones & rules: https://lnkd.in/gF6PY-2R

Let’s rally behind Rich and show what NLC Atlanta can do. We’re proud of you and rooting for you all the way!!! Let’s bring it home. 💪🏾🔥

03/12/2026

Meet your Building Power Tour co-chair. 👇🏽

Charisse Price (she/her) (NLC Atlanta 2015) was just announced as NLC’s newest National Board Chair. She is also co-chairing the Building Power Tour Atlanta stop. The announcement just dropped. The work has been happening for years.

A project management and leadership development professional with 20+ years across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors, Charisse leads Grant Grace LLC, a consulting firm specializing in strategy, program design, and cross-sector collaboration. Her career spans Microsoft’s Strategic Brand Partnerships team, the Philadelphia Water Department, The Coca-Cola Company, and NLC itself.

A proud New Orleans native, she holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of New Orleans, an MBA from UGA, and an MPA from Baruch College. Alumna of the National Urban Fellows program.

Chair of the National Programs Committee. Co-chair of the 2024 National Convention. National Board of Directors. And now Board Chair.

Grounded. Ambitious. Always building toward what’s next.

Join Charisse and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/11/2026

Meet your Building Power Tour co-chair. 👇🏾

Her friends call her the President of Everything. After reading her bio, you will understand why.

Ashley Nealy (NLC Atlanta 2015) is the Associate Vice President for Client Experience and Solutions at Kennesaw State University, leading IT support and client engagement across two campuses serving more than 50,000 students, faculty, and staff. She is also the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mindly Maven, helping small businesses and nonprofits strengthen their digital presence.

Before KSU, she served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and was nationally recognized by the Next Generation of Government with the Innovator Award, selected from 120 nominees across federal, state, and local agencies.

Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40. Georgia Trend 40 Under 40. Outstanding Atlanta Class of 2015 and Alumni of the Year 2017. Former Co-Director of NLC Atlanta. Grady Young Professionals.

Now she is co-chairing the Building Power Tour Atlanta stop. Add it to the list.

Join Ashley and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/10/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏼

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (NLC Atlanta 2013) represents Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District and she does not take that lightly.

Now in her third term, she carries forward the legacy of her friend, mentor, and predecessor, the late Congressman John Lewis. On the House Financial Services Committee, she fights for affordable housing, works to close the racial wealth gap, and pushes for a financial system that works for working families.

Talladega College grad. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. A lifelong advocate for social justice, women, and families who has seen firsthand how hard people of color and women have to fight for equity in this country.

That experience does not sit in the background. It drives everything.

Georgia’s Fifth is in good hands.

Join Congresswoman Williams and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/10/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏾

Greg Clay (NLC Atlanta 2011) is a native Atlantan who has spent his career in service to his city.

Appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens as Deputy Chief of Staff in October 2025, Greg previously served as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services. Before joining the administration, he spent years as a nonprofit leader and local government practitioner across five municipalities.

Florida A&M University grad. Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas.
Chairman of the Board for Skyview High School. Board of Directors for 100 Black Men of Atlanta and 21st Century Leaders. Executive Board of Friends of FAM(U) Inc.

Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40. Whitney Young Award. NFBPA Young Public Servant of the Year. M.L.K. Jr. Presidential Drum Major for Service Award from President Obama.

Greg Clay has been recognized at every level because the work shows up at every level.

Join Greg and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/10/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏽

Ericka Hopson (NLC Atlanta 2017) leads with art and backs it up with action.

A University of Virginia English grad, accomplished author, documentarian, and public speaker, Ericka has spent her career using storytelling to educate, entertain, and bring communities together. Her documentaries include “Tic Toc: The Black Women’s Timeline” and “No Color To It: A Real American Story.” Her web series “Thirty Below” takes a comedic look at the breakthroughs of turning 30.

By day she is a HR Specialist in Workforce Policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with 16 years of prior federal service at FEMA spanning logistics, training, and human resources.

Her NLC roots run deep. She completed Institute in 2017, then came back to serve. Recruitment. Mentorship. Curriculum. Co-Director from 2020 to 2022. She also served as President of the Young Government Leaders Atlanta chapter in 2023.

She builds community everywhere she goes.
Join Ericka and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/10/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏾

Councilmember Jason Dozier (NLC Atlanta 2016) is a native Atlantan who came home and got to work.

After graduating from Denison University, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a reconnaissance officer, earning the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. He came back to Georgia to help transitioning military veterans full time and never stopped serving.

Today he represents District 4 on the Atlanta City Council and directs program operations at Hire Heroes USA, a national nonprofit helping military members, veterans, and military spouses succeed in civilian careers. He holds a Master of Public Administration from UGA and a Master of Science in Real Estate from Georgia State University.

His community roots run deep. Mechanicsville. NPU-V. The Atlanta BeltLine TAD Advisory Committee. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Advance Atlanta. Jason does not just live in Atlanta. He tends to it.
Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40. Georgia Trend 40 Under 40. LEAD Atlanta 2015.

Join Councilmember Dozier and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/10/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏾

As President of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP), she shapes long-term strategy, strengthens financial capacity, and advances ANDP’s mission to create and preserve affordable housing across metro Atlanta. She drives capital strategy and builds partnerships across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.

Before her current role, she was the Founding Executive Director of the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund, where she led the raise and deployment of a $15 million social impact fund that helped launch the GoATL Housing Impact Fund.

Wellesley College. Harvard Kennedy School. Chair of the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation Board. ULI Atlanta’s Livable Communities Council. Westside Future Fund’s Real Estate Committee.

Atlanta looks different because of her work.

Join Ashani and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/09/2026

Meet the Building Power Tour host committee.👇🏾

Alan Campbell (NLC Atlanta 2020) is an operations director with over two decades of corporate management experience and an Executive MBA. But the resume that matters most to him is the one he’s building in the community.

As a founding Board Director of The Nolij Foundation, Alan works to empower youth through STEM education and financial literacy. He lends strategic guidance to an HR firm’s advisory board and is part of a community initiative restoring a historic school in his hometown. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, civic engagement is not a side project for Alan. It is the point.

He brings the same leadership he has honed in the boardroom to every community he serves.

Join Alan and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

03/09/2026

Meet your Building Power Tour host committee. 👇🏾

Dr. Jonathan Leon (NLC Atlanta 2018) has spent nearly two decades working on one conviction: every young person deserves access to a high quality education. And he has built a career making that real.

As Managing Director of Alumni Activation and Engagement at Teach For America, he leads national alumni mobilization strategy heading into the organization’s 35th Anniversary Summit. Before that, he held senior leadership roles at Leadership for Educational Equity, supporting equity-driven leaders shaping policy and systems change across Atlanta and beyond. He started in Atlanta Public Schools and never lost the thread.

Education policy. Community organizing. Philanthropic investment. Dr. Leon moves at the intersection of all three. He earned his Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership from American University and serves on multiple boards focused on educational opportunity and governance.

Courageous. Accountable. People-centered. That is the whole philosophy.

Join Dr. Leon and the rest of the Atlanta host committee for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community with NLC’s President & CEO.

📅 March 12–14, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NLC Atlanta Day at the Capitol | Free & Open to the Public (Sold Out. Join the Waitlist.)

Friday, March 13 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Power Conversation | NLC Atlanta Alumni Only

Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Power in Atlanta Reception | The Vick at Healy

Visit newleaderscouncil.org/buildingpowertour for tickets and details.

The Building Power Tour is made possible by the dedication of our incredible Atlanta host committee.

Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15

Ebony Hillsman (Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ‘17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25

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