Introducing CDCLP Cohort VI & NLDP Cohort XIX

Welcoming the Next Generation of Community Leaders

This fall, we welcomed two new cohorts of dedicated leaders who are committed to strengthening Cleveland's neighborhoods and organizations.

CDCLP Cohort VI and NLDP Cohort XIX bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and communities, united by a shared desire to lead with purpose and create positive change. Over the coming months, participants will be engaging in learning experiences that deepen self-awareness, strengthen leadership skills, expand professional and community networks and inspire action.

Through interactive sessions, coaching relationships, peer learning and meaningful dialogue, participants will explore what it means to lead authentically while building the knowledge and confidence needed to advance their work and impact. Together, they represent the future of collaborative, community-centered leadership in Cleveland's neighborhoods.

NLDP Graduate Spotlight: Donnell Carey, Cohort XVIII

Donnell Carey is a dedicated community activist whose work brings together social impact, skilled trades and creative expression. A sheet metal worker and HVAC technician with multiple industry certifications, Donnell uses his professional experience to help community members see new possibilities in manufacturing, building trades, agriculture and entrepreneurship. Grounded in faith and a strong commitment to serving others, Donnell aims to confront social injustice and systemic imbalance by creating practical pathways for young people.

This past summer, he informally launched a youth program called The Rise, where he connects Hough residents with resources that support growth, opportunity and community advancement. In Donnell's words, "NLDP prepared me to take that leap of faith."

His larger vision includes the self-funded Rising Suns of the World Campaign, an after-school initiative designed to equip teens with reading literacy, mental health awareness, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, job readiness and entrepreneurship, union building-trades preparation, hands-on community engagement and more.

As The Rise refreshes its brand, Donnell looks forward to sharing new ways for community members to connect.

CDCLP Graduate Spotlight: Jimmie Hicks, Jr., Cohort IV

On the Cleveland Heights and East Cleveland border there is a group working tirelessly to bring new life to the Noble-Nela business district. That group is Start Right CDC, led by Rev. Jimmie Hicks, Jr.

Founded in 2008, Start Right actively works to improve the overall quality of life in Cleveland Heights by addressing critical community needs through housing development, food access and place-based revitalization. Their latest project just celebrated its grand opening, a 52-unit apartment building with a ground floor commercial space reserved for a coffee shop named Nobility Court. Jimmie credits CDCLP with providing the right tools to help him get through the challenges and hurdles to get this project off the ground.

Funded partially by housing tax credits, the project provides a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments at affordable rates. The design of the building was heavily influenced by community feedback, leading to a ground floor commercial space reserved solely for a coffee shop, which was the business type that the surrounding residents identified as the largest need for their neighborhood. While the tenant for the coffee shop space is still to be determined, the residents of the 52 units above it have been selected and are ready to begin moving into their new homes.

Keisha Gonzalez, NLDP Cohort VIII, for her feature in Cleveland Magazine's 2026 Cleveland 500: Leading the Future.

Ebonie Randle, NLDP Cohort XVII, for being recognized as the August 2026 Guardian of the Community by the Cleveland Guardians.

Joshua Hill, NLDP Cohort XVII, for starting a new position as Senior Program Officer, Community Engagement & Grantmaking at the Cleveland Foundation.

Kaela Geschke, NLDP Cohort VIII, for beginning a senior democracy fellowship with Cleveland Votes.

Renee Major, NLDP Cohort XIII, Denyelle Rashid, NLDP Cohort XIII, Antoine Burts, NLDP Cohort XV and Brittney Smith, NLDP Cohort XVI, for their acceptance into the Impact Volunteer Action Network (IVAN) 2026–27 Cohort.

Letitia Lopez, NLDP Cohort XI, Robert Gatewood, NLDP Cohort X and Allison Lukacsy-Love, CDCLP Cohort V, for being honored on the Cleveland 230 list through One Cleveland.

Karis Tzeng, CDCLP Cohort II, for accepting a new position as Deputy Director of Neighborhood Revitalization at the City of Cleveland.

Claire Maurer, CDCLP Cohort IV, for accepting a new position as Director of Strategic Initiatives at St. Clair Superior Development Corporation.

Krystal Sierra, CDCLP Cohort II, for beginning her journey as Executive Director of Greater Collinwood Development Corporation.

Anthony Giambroni, CDCLP Cohort III, for his promotion to Managing Director at MidTown Cleveland, Inc.

Don McGee, CDCLP Cohort IV & NLDP Cohort XVI, for receiving the Staff Member of the Year award by the Ohio CDC Association on behalf of his CDC, Miles Heights Development.

Coaches Corner

Featuring: Paris Lampkins, NLDP Program Coach

We're excited to introduce the newest member of the NLDP coaching team, Paris Lampkins. Paris brings extensive experience in leadership development, workforce development, executive coaching and organizational consulting. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Lampkins & Co. and has spent more than 15 years helping individuals navigate their careers and leadership journeys with clarity, confidence and intention.

Her coaching approach combines practical strategy with thoughtful inquiry, helping leaders explore their strengths, navigate challenges and move forward with purpose. She works with leaders at all stages of their development, from emerging professionals to senior executives.

Beyond her professional work, Paris is deeply engaged in community leadership. She serves on the boards of Teach For America Ohio and the Euclid Schools Foundation and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Interprofessional Leadership at Kent State University, where her research focuses on barriers affecting leadership advancement.

We are thrilled to have welcomed Paris to the NLDP coaching team and look forward to the insight and expertise she will share with our participants and graduates.

Keep Spreading the Word: Help Us Identify Future Community Leaders

Our strongest applicants often come through personal recommendations from graduates, coaches, faculty and community partners. We invite you to continuously help us connect with individuals who are making a difference in their communities and organizations. Whether they are emerging leaders looking to strengthen their skills or experienced professionals seeking new perspectives and connections, both programs provide transformative opportunities for growth, collaboration and impact.

Think about the people you work alongside, volunteer with, mentor or admire. Who demonstrates a commitment to community? Who brings people together, takes initiative and wants to make a lasting difference? Those individuals may be a great fit for NLDP or CDCLP.

Know someone who should participate? Submit a referral for one or both of our programs and help us spread the word!

Learn more about our programs first: CDCLP | NLDP

Graduates on the Move

Connection, learning and leadership don’t stop at graduation. Our graduates continue to gather together to connect, build their capacity and explore new tools to support their work in Cleveland's neighborhoods.

NLDP Recruitment Dinner

Back in July, NLDP welcomed program graduates and prospective participants for a recruitment dinner designed to introduce future neighborhood leaders to the program. The evening offered an opportunity to learn more about NLDP, connect with others committed to Cleveland’s neighborhoods and get a sense of the relationships that make the program special. More than simply recruiting for a future cohort, gatherings like these help us continue building a strong pipeline of grassroots leaders who are ready to grow, connect and make an impact.

A special shout-out to our talented and dedicated NLDP Graduate Committee for all of their hard work planning and coordinating our graduate activities!

Mandel Foundation Boston & Cleveland Staff Presentation + Tour

On September 16, the CDCLP and NLDP team had the opportunity to share our programs with Mandel Foundation colleagues from Boston and Cleveland.

The presentation highlighted the history of both programs, their impact across Cleveland and a shared vision for the future. With nearly 450 graduates to date across both programs, our growing network continues to strengthen leadership across Cleveland’s neighborhoods and community development organizations.

It was a meaningful opportunity to step back, celebrate how far the programs have come and share the unique ways our program graduates are helping shape Cleveland’s future.