Leadership Newark was born out of a desire to strengthen the City of Newark’s civic infrastructure.  Planning occurred in 1997 and the first group of 40 participants began their 2-year fellowship in September 1998.  Since then, the Classes of 2008 and 2009 have begun and the Charter Class of 2000 and Classes of 2001-2007 have graduated.  Leadership Newark continues to create a network of emerging leaders with the drive, knowledge, skills and connections needed to improve Newark’s future. 

The Leadership Newark mission is to augment and improve the network of civic and community leaders sincere about serving their community.  In so doing, Leadership Newark paves the road to expanding service for the common good.  The two-year Fellowship uses an experiential education model to develop one’s knowledge in areas, which have an impact on the community at the state, county and local levels.

The network is 300+ strong.  The personal achievements specifically due to relationship developed are numerous from judgeships to elected office to business partnerships and new positions.  As stated by Mayor Cory Booker, “My Administration has been a great beneficiary of the tremendous work of Leadership Newark….And, we are partnering with dozens of organizations throughout the City that are being led by Leadership Newark alumnae. The impact of Leadership Newark is being felt throughout our great City.” The collective achievements are born out in their civic endeavors as well as formal/informal support of organizations in the Newark community.  The Fellows have not only bonded, they are committed to the community and one another due to the foundation established throughout the fellowship.

The idea that drives Leadership Newark is that of servant-leadership, which is a phrase coined by Robert K. Greenleaf as a key element to building strong communities.  Simply stated, Servant-Leadership is the concept of first serving others, then leading as a way of expanding one’s service for the common good.  Leadership Newark has a competitive application process, which enables the Selection Committee to identify those with a demonstrated track record of civic participation, a burning desire to do more, and a commitment to the community.  The program has been successful in identifying potential civic leaders, equipping them with a deeper understanding of the issues and the skills needed to address those issues.  Leadership Newark connects the participants to a network of key leaders and potential allies who help demonstrate their capacity to help the city through a civic project.  Leadership Newark is sustaining the city’s revival by strengthening its civic infrastructure.

Leadership Newark’s goal is to continue to build a broad strong base of funding from foundations, corporations, businesses, and individuals with an interest in the future of Newark.  The curriculum is structured to have the program participants spend one full business day and one evening each month enhancing their knowledge through debate discussion and involvement on issues such as Environmental Justice and Equity, Immigration, Public Safety, Health & Human Services, Criminal Justice, Education & Governance and the overall impact on urban communities. In the Year I, the commitment is at a minimum, one full business day per month and in Year II, the participant must be available to partner with a local non-profit to work on a community service project benefiting both the non-profit and the community.