Leadership Charlotte is creating the Illuminati of our city

This 40-year-old training program counts everyone from the mayor to CEO as alumni, and forges connections between the city’s powerful — and the people who are soon-to-be-powerful.

Here’s what you need to know about Leadership Charlotte.

What is Leadership Charlotte?

Leadership Charlotte is a nonprofit that conducts a 10-month leadership training program each year. The program gives the city’s future leaders a crash course in Charlotte civic life, the city’s challenges, how things really work, and how to get things done. The idea is to create a “pipeline” of talent that will remain involved in community affairs.

Each class has between 50 and 55 people. Half apply from the community at large, and the other half are sent by a who’s who of Charlotte major employers who back the nonprofit — including Atrium Health, Duke Energy, Balfour Beatty Construction, TIAA and Robinson Bradshaw.

Tuition is $3,000.

What do you do in the leadership program?

The schedule is pretty rigorous.

After orientation and opening weekend off-site in a place like Blowing Rock, Leadership Charlotte participants commit to 10 full-day programs on topics like equity and inclusion, arts, justice and education.

These day-long programs run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, so your employer has to sign a form before joining saying they support you.

Extra “homework” includes:

• Attending a school board meeting and city council meeting
• Riding along with the police or fire department
• Taking trips on public transit
• Attending a leadership lecture
• Completing a service project

Who’s gone through the program?

Since launching in 1978, more than 2,000 people have been through the program. The alumni directory is a coveted asset.

Here are some notable alumni:

• Mayor Vi Lyles
• John Lassiter, CEO of Carolina Legal Staffing and the 2020 RNC Host Committee
• Hyong Yi, assistant city manager
• Carol Hardison, CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry
• Toussaint Romain, assistant public defender
• Lynn Wheeler, former mayor pro tem
• State Sen. Joyce Waddell

How do I join Leadership Charlotte?

The program is open to anyone working or living in Mecklenburg County, but the application process is highly competitive.

Consideration is given to people who have demonstrated leadership and service in Charlotte, earned notable achievements, and have high potential both in their career field and in the community at large.

Applications open in December and are due by mid-February. The program begins in August each year.