NLDP Cohort XIV

The Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) launched its fourteenth cohort – and its first cohort since the pandemic began – in September. Twenty participants gathered three months ago in a large room in Trinity Commons to begin a life-changing leadership program and have grown in big ways ever since.

The participants have taken a deep-dive into their own leadership skills and have ultimately gained the opportunity to learn alongside community leaders they may not have met otherwise. We have the incredible honor of watching the 20 participants grow their projects in Cleveland and their own leadership as they continue to act as the driving force of change in Cleveland. We cannot wait to see what they do next!

We are incredibly excited to share that the first cohort of the Community Development Corporation Leadership Program (CDCLP) officially launched on September 21. Over 40 CDC and Non-Profit Organization leaders submitted an application; 16 of which were selected to participate in Cohort I.

With each participant sharing a passion and strong dedication for making all Cleveland communities neighborhoods of choice, this CDCLP cohort is comprised of Executive Directors, Assistant Directors, Program Managers, a Board Member, and a Program Officer with an area foundation. After completing four sessions on their leadership journey, we look forward in our continuance of sharing all about this newest addition to the family of Mandel Foundation leadership programs!

The NLDP Family Continues to Grow!

Alicia Telzerow is a Cleveland-based artist with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art and a Masters of Arts Administration from Ohio University, which led to her interest in nonprofit work. Her past work with arts and nonprofit institutions includes teaching, working with youth and adults, and managing marketing and social media.

Olivia Wuest holds a Bachelor’s of Art degree in in Secondary Social Studies Education from Northern Kentucky University. While teaching social studies at the high school level, she quickly realized her passion for community engagement and helping the youth. During her time teaching social studies, Olivia volunteered and fundraised with many organizations which led to being an active member in the community. After moving to Cleveland four years ago, she got the opportunity to work at Noble Academy Cleveland where one of her main responsibilities was serving as a Community Engagement Coordinator. This position strengthened her passion to work with and enhance the community.

Kevin De Leon and Elana Zollars Almaleki, both graduates of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program, recently got engaged. We are excited and honored to feature them in this newsletter as our first-ever "couples edition" of the NLDP Graduate Spotlight!

Kevin De Leon, Cohort XI, and Elana Zollars Almaleki, Cohort XIII, met while working on a community art beautification initiative in the Clark Fulton neighborhood. Their favorite place to eat in Cleveland is Half Moon Bakery, located in Clark Fulton.

NLDP helped increase Elana's leadership capacity by giving her the tools and the confidence to help empower other leaders. The program introduced her to various leadership styles, which helped her gain confidence in her own style. For Kevin, NLDP was integral in boosting his confidence and unveiling his potential. The program enabled him to jump into serving the community that he grew up in. Both Kevin and Elana share a passion for serving Cleveland because it's their home. They have a special interest in equipping the next generation of youth in Cleveland by empowering them to make an impact within their communities.

Kevin's advice to his fellow NLDP Graduates is to "keep it simple and always remember why you do it." Elana believes in the power of caring for ourselves first. Her advice is to "take time for yourself to decompress in whatever way serves you best, always be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe."

NLDP is excited to release our newest video highlighting our Graduate Grant Program. We have had the incredible honor of providing grants to over 60 NLDP Graduates who have directly served 72% of Cleveland's neighborhoods. The goal of NLDP's Graduate Grant Program is to enhance the capacity of graduates to meet the needs of their communities by granting funds for the projects and non-profits they are already leading in Cleveland.

This video tells the story of four graduates who received Graduate Grants from NLDP in 2021 – but they represent so much more. These four graduates reflect the passion, the drive and the desire of the 253 NLDP Graduates who work tirelessly to make their neighborhoods better for generations to come. NLDP's vision is to foster the growth of a vanguard of committed and engaged leaders who are making change in Cleveland.

We invite you to watch our video and to feel inspired by our amazing graduates. Watch the video highlighting NLDP's Graduate Grant Program here.

NLDP Graduates: Be on the lookout for information in the new year regarding the 2022 Graduate Grant Program! For the first time ever, NLDP will offer a select number of grants at the $10,000 level. Contact Julia Ferra at jferra@nldpcleveland.com if you have any questions.

Over twenty local and national artists traveled to MidTown in August for the CLEVELAND WALLS! International Mural Program, a POW! WOW! Worldwide Production. POW! WOW! Worldwide is recognized as one of the most important and well-curated mural festivals in the world and has helped transform the physical spaces of 17 communities around the globe. POW! WOW! worked with Northeast Ohio artists, MidTown Cleveland and LAND studio to transform around 20 facades of buildings in MidTown and its surrounding neighborhood in a celebration of art, culture and community.

You can explore a map of mural locations and watch a video recapping the event from the comfort of your home! Click here to explore Cleveland WALLS! – and then plan a trip to the neighborhood to see the murals!

The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit has made its way to Cleveland... and it's in St. Clair Superior! The exhibit is being hosted at Lighthouse Artspace Cleveland, 850 E. 72nd St. and will feature 500,000 cubic feet of projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s artwork. The moving images highlight brushstrokes, detail and color to illuminate the mind of Van Gogh.

The installation includes the Les Mangeurs de pomme de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), La Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889) among many of Van Gogh's other pieces.

This exciting event is happening in St. Clair Superior, a diverse lakefront community on Cleveland's east side. For more information about the exhibit and to purchase tickets, click here.

This month's video features KC Petraitis, C-IV, and his organization Burning River Soccer Club. Watch here!