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A leadership training program is reclaiming and rebranding its roots in Historic West End.

Next Level Leadership Inc., which announced its launch Tuesday at Johnson C. Smith University, is a 21st century reboot of Focus on Leadership, which formed in the 1990s to prepare African Americans for positions of influence. Next Level is a 13-week training program at JCSU where participants will study civic engagement, economic empowerment and organizational development.

PHOTO | HERBERT L. WHITE

Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell, right, unveils signage for Next Level Leadership, a mentoring initiative based in Historic West End. NLL Vice President Arlena Hawthorn, left, and Secretary Angela Jeter helped with the unveiling at Johnson C. Smith University, the initiative's headquarters.

“This is a rebranding of Focus, something that worked so well for a long period of time,” said City Council member James Mitchell, Next Level’s president. “As the name says, Next Level Leadership – we want to take our community to the next level.”

The initiative appeals to JCSU junior Calierya McLaughlin, who is part of Next Level’s student outreach. The first class will be chosen in January and is open to professionals, students and community members.

“I want to join because I love leadership positions,” said McLaughlin, a Danville, Virginia resident. “I love challenges and I want to make a difference in the world, in my community and especially with my lovely African American ladies and gentlemen.”

As Charlotte continues to grow, new leaders will need to be identified and cultivated, said entrepreneur Ron Leeper, founder of Focus on Leadership. That’s why Next Level is needed.

“I think it’s always been something needed in the community to develop leadership,” said Leeper, a former council member and a mentor to Mitchell. “I’ve always said if we don’t help to grow, educate and inform leaders, then we end up getting what we get.”

That’s Next Level’s goal.

“I benefited from a leadership program, the mentoring and learning to be a part of the community,” Mitchell said. “I think all that nurturing helped me become who I currently am as a city councilman.”

On the Net:

NxtLevelLeadership.org

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