Leadership Howard County's Leadership Premier 2022 program officially kicked off on September 15. The cohort regathered the following week for 2-days of team building and getting to know more about each other and themselves. They also formed project teams and are looking forward to working with Luminus, Girls on the Run, the Community Foundation of Howard County, Candlelight Concert Society, Neighbor Ride, and Columbia Housing Center. Stay tuned for highlights and updates throughout the year!

Be a part of an informative discussion on redevelopment in Howard County Wednesday, October 13 from 9 to 10:30 am. Learn more about some of the projects currently underway and both the benefits and challenges faced in creating mixed-use communities.

Join LHC for the next (virtual) installment of our Thought Leaders Series, Tuesday, November 2 from 10:30 am to 12 pm, featuring Cheryl Duvall, LP '00, Consulting Practice Area Leader for Gensler, author, and frequent speaker on change management, work-life integration, and communication skills. This interactive discussion will take a look at how the hybrid work model of the future will impact organizational culture and behavior.

LHC is shining a light on our Board Members and sharing how they are taking the lead both at Leadership and in the community. Meet Peter Hill, Director, Specialty Business Strategy & Transformation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Peter is a proud graduate of Leadership Essentials (LE) 2019 and initially served as LE Rep to the Board prior to serving his current term. Read more ...

Class Reps from both Leadership Premier and Essentials gathered today for a kick-off rally to spread excitement and encourage participation to keep connections strong and networks growing. Special thanks to all for serving as the link between LHC and their respective classes to share information and updates. If interested in joining this effort, please reach out to either Ellen Flynn Giles, LP '15 or Korin Sharp, LE '20, Membership Co-Chairs.

Don't forget, it's dues time. Your financial support (paying dues) and personal engagement are critical to LHC to fulfill its mission. Click the link below to renew your membership online - or consider upgrading to an individual Leadership 500 sponsorship. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to your being an active member for the 21-22 program year!

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In conjunction with the LP 2022 program year, additional opportunities to learn will be offered to alumni. Some of these opportunities may be virtual while others are planned to be hosted in person. In the event of attendance caps, priority will be given to current class members; however, as space becomes available, invitations to these behind-the-scenes experiences will be extended to LHC alumni. Please refer to the LHC website for updates. Click here for details.

Leadership Howard County is discussing establishing a referral network of Leadership Alumni willing to volunteer their time and talent to help other alumni and community organizations. Our goal is to mirror the highly successful national program -catchafire.org. Not only is this a great way to "Take Your Place" in Howard County, but it's also an opportunity to market yourself and your business. Interested in participating? Please click here to be directed to an interest form to complete and thank you!

Loyola University is excited about the interest expressed by area individuals and organizations for Leadership Essentials 2022. A terrific cohort of emerging leaders is anticipated for LE 2022, so don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and/or your team this fall! Online applications are being accepted through October 11 for the 2022 program.  Click here for more information and to apply.

Email Lori Fuchs or call 443-745-6209 with any questions and to set up a time to talk about LE. A great way to stay updated on all things LE is to join the Leadership Essentials online community on Facebook and  LinkedIn.  

The Community Ecology Institute's podcast series, Community Blooms recently featured LHC's own President & CEO, Stacie Hunt, LP '02. Click here to listen to this conversation!

Leadership U's 2021 Project Teams are off to a strong start. Over the next two months, please stay tuned for project updates and ways you may consider supporting some of these tremendous efforts.

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Period First is teaming up with the Community Action Council (CAC) to collect feminine hygiene products for those in need. Click here to learn more.

The LU Equity in Education Team will be holding a school supply drive from October 3 through October 22. Needed items include pens, pencils, coloring utensils, notebooks, binders, paper, and more. Donations may be done virtually through Amazon (please see the WishList link below) or items may be dropped off at the Central Branch of the Howard County Library, located at 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway - Columbia, MD 21044. The below QR Code will direct you to the Team's Amazon Wish List.

HoCo People 4 Paws is teaming up with Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue. Donations are being collected Saturday, October 9 and Saturday, October 30 - both dates 11 am to 1 pm at the PetSmart located at 9041 Snowden Square Drive, Columbia, MD 21045. Click here for more details.

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The Howard County Library System (HCLS) launched a new Equity Resource Center Monday, September 27. The Center houses a new equity collection of more than 9,000 fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages across a wide array of topics and formats and also includes space for exhibits. HCLS previously hosted the Undesign the Redline exhibit which has made a return through February 2022. The interactive display will run through outlines the Federal government’s role in enacting housing discrimination along racial and ethnic lines into law – and the continuing impacts today, nationally and locally. Customers may tour the exhibit on their own, as part of a public tour, or with a group in a private tour. Public tours are available Wednesdays at 11 am and Saturdays at 2 pm. Guided tours for students, community organizations, and other groups may be arranged by emailing redline@hclibrary.org. Read more ...

Wednesday, October 13 from 7 to 8:30 pm: The Case Made for Affordable Housing

Wednesday, October 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm: Taking Action for Housing Equity,

Register Here

The Department of Community Resources & Services (DCRS) is now accepting applications for Community Service Partnership (CPS) One-time Grants for the Fiscal Year 2022 grant year (ending June 30, 2022). These funds may be used to support critical and emerging needs such as equipment replacement, capacity building, technology upgrades, or vehicle replacement. Read more ...

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The Department of Community Resources and Services is having its annual coat drive Saturday, October 16. New or clean and gently used women's, men's, and children's winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves may be dropped off through Friday, October 8 at the Howard County Multi-Service Center, 9000 Washington Boulevard, Suite 1 in Laurel, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

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Key goals of Howard County's Complete Streets initiative is to make roads safe and usable by all modes of transportation, to promote community health, sustainability, and fiscal soundness and improve outreach and inclusiveness of all populations in our community, with special emphasis on historically underrepresented communities in Howard County. Click here to learn more about updates and details about upcoming workshops on October 14 and October 21.

The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) presents their annual Holland Awards (virtually) Thursday, October 14, beginning at 6:00 pm. The evening will feature a fun cocktail reception – including several Leadership Howard County alum and staff, moving videos explaining the work CAC does in Howard County, and feature keynote speaker, President/CEO of the Columbia Association, Lakey Boyd. This year, the 2021 Rev. John W. Holland Humanitarian Award will be presented to Kathleen Koch for her leadership of COAD (Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster) during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, the 2021 Service Award will be presented to Neighbor Ride, a Howard County non-profit, who pivoted their services to get food to those experiencing food insecurity during COVID-19. Click here for more details.

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The next Class Connections will be distributed in mid-October. Please share your news/ updates with Karen Bryant - remember to let us know how you are staying connected! We are looking forward to adding a new feature, "Eye on Essentials", that will highlight LE class and alumni news!