08/11/2026
The Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc. (UJAA) will host its 2026 Leadership Development Academy (LDA) Week from Tuesday, August 11 through Saturday, August 15, featuring two virtual sessions followed by an in-person Summit at St. Albans Baptist Church in St. Albans, NY. This year’s theme, “Future-Proofing Your Organization,” centers on succession planning, organizational continuity, and practical strategies to help member associations sustain their work for generations to come.
Now in its fifth year, LDA was launched by UJAA to help members “ignite the leader” within themselves and their organizations. The planning team, led by President Donovan Wilson, built this year’s theme around what members identified as a top priority: how to sustain the work of their organizations for the long term. “This year LDA Week gives our member associations real tools to prepare the next generation of leaders and keep our work strong for decades to come.” says President Wilson.
The theme addresses the often-neglected work of succession planning. Sessions are being designed to provide guidelines and strategies that help leaders prepare their organizations for continuity, transition, and future growth.
LDA Week will encourage leadership teams to plan strategically for succession, member engagement, and organizational capacity. UJAA aims to carry these conversations beyond Summit Day, turning ideas into action plans that help member organizations fulfill their missions and mandates.
LDA Week’s leadership development series is designed to strengthen succession planning towards long-term sustainability of the 66 member organizations while responding to changing member needs. UJAA’s leadership is committed to using the observations, input, and conversations from LDA 2026 Week to strengthen support for all members and help prepare the next generation of leaders.
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Registration is required to attend: https://bit.ly/UJAA-LDA2026
Tuesday, August 11 – Session 1, “Leading with Passion and Purpose” (Online, 7:30 PM)
Thursday, August 13 – Session 2, “Creating a High-Impact Executive Team” (Online, 7:30 PM)
Saturday, August 15 – LDA Summit (In-Person): Registration & Breakfast at 9:30 AM; Session
begins at 10:00 AM- St. Albans Baptist Church, 196-02 119th Avenue, St. Albans, NY 11412
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
UJAA President, Donovan Wilson – [email protected]
Corresponding Secretary, Karlene Largie – [email protected]
