Recently, the New Leaders Council Atlanta (NLC Atlanta) hosted a 2025 CoHort Fundraiser highlighting the contributions of its co-chairs and sponsors. The meeting in northwest Atlanta illuminated the importance of anti-oppression, equity, and place-based leadership in Atlanta. The cohort’s diverse backgrounds and shared values were celebrated, underscoring the impact of NLC’s programs on emerging leaders.
Notable alumni of NLC Atlanta include U.S. Representative Nikema Williams, Jay Bailey of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, and Atlanta City Council Member Matt Westmoreland. Additional notable alumni include Georgia State Representatives Eric Bell and Omari Crawford, plus scores of individuals in business, finance, healthcare, marketing, and more.
“NLC paves a way for emerging leaders to come together and shape their thinking and vision. We’re held and bound together by our values,” said Eric Paulk, Co-Director of NLC Atlanta. “When we have values like anti-oppression, equity, trust, right, among others, it is necessary to have someone in leadership that has a guide, a vision, a strategic plan. That’s not going to be swayed by the climate and the influences. But that’s steadfast, unmovable, to what they believe.”
NLC’s Current Impacts
Since its founding, NLC Atlanta has trained over 200 local leaders, raised more than $150,000 to power their leadership journeys. For 12 years, NLC Atlanta has served as a trusted incubator for bold, place-based changemakers.
“NLC provides a container and an incubator for folks who really love the city,” said Brian Cornelius, curriculum chair with NLC Atlanta. “I think about how we reimagine the space that is open for everyone where all of us can thrive. Something that’s really unique about NLC Atlanta is that it is very Black. That’s important in a city like Atlanta. As we think about Atlanta now, no longer being a majority Black city, I think that NLC will fill in the gaps around what some of that new leadership looks like, and we’re really building a new leadership class for the city.”
Lamya Clinton is currently employed at Emory University Hospital and the City of South Fulton when she began her journey with NLC Atlanta. She had specific questions regarding her future. Her time in NLC allowed Clinton to connect these diverging industries together and she made maximum impacts.
“If you are questioning whether or not you are a leader or questioning how you want to lead, NLC would be an excellent place for you,” Clinton said. “Because going through the workbooks, really doing the work and delving into myself has elevated me in a way that would not have happened this year if it weren’t for this experience. So, I just want to thank the other fellows, facilitators, and co-chairs.”