A New Generation of Progressive Leaders Are Ready to “Move Powerfully”

July 13, 2012 - PRLog -- ATLANTA— When one thinks of politics in the South, PROGRESS isn’t always the first word to come to mind. As all eyes continue to be focused on the two parties dominating American politics for decades, New Leaders Council (NLC) ushers in the bold era of the Progressive when it holds its national leadership retreat in Atlanta, August 3-5, 2012.

As a centerpiece in American history for one of the greatest progressive movements – the civil rights movement, Atlanta is a fitting choice for NLC’s 2012 retreat. Inspired by this epic struggle for equality, the chosen theme for NLC’s 2012 retreat is “Move Powerfully” and will bring NLC alumni, Chapter Directors, and supporters from across the country to Atlanta for leadership training, networking, and discussion of  building bigger, better, more powerful Progressive coalitions able to protect the policies and programs that have shaped modern American life.

At present, there are over 1,000 NLC alumni and 20 NLC chapters in cities such as Los Angeles,  New York City, Boston, Miami,  Washington, D.C., and Missoula, MT.  The Atlanta chapter was the first launched in the South in 2010. Led by chapter directors, Selah Abrams, Amani Channel and Ebony Hillsman, the Atlanta chapter was named Chapter of the Year in 2011 and has assembled and all-star panel of thought leaders to inspire and influence all in attendance to “Move Powerfully.”

“Move Powerfully”  kicks-off Friday, August 3, 2012, with training for NLC chapter leaders and advisory board members.  Saturday’s leadership experience is open to the public and will take place at the Melia Hotel in Downtown Atlanta .  Panel topics include, “Molding Millennial Leaders”,  “Women Powered Economies: How Women are ”, and “Cultivating Progressive Alliances in the South”. The Atlanta chapter will also host an awards dinner to honor outstanding members of the NLC network. Featured speakers and guests include:

Doug Shipman, Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Civil & Human Rights
Kim Bearden, Co-Founder, Executive Director, And Language Arts Teacher, Ron Clark Academy
Al Checchi, Author & Former Chairman of Northwest Airlines
Representative Yasmin Neal, Georgia House of Representatives, District 75
Julius Pryor III, General Managing Partner of J. Pryor Group, LLC
Saba Long, Press Secretary, Untie Atlanta
Sherra Bell, Founder, Creative Know-Who
Dr. Jane Smith, Executive Director, Spelman College Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement
Kristin Oblander, President of The Oblander Group L.L.C
Kwanza Hall, Atlanta City Council, District 2

“Young people under 40, are our new greatest generation. They’ve realized they can no longer rely on government or political parties to ensure their social or economic futures. This is why they’re pulling together to do it themselves,” says Mark Riddle, Executive Director of New Leaders Council. “Move Powerfully, as a conference theme speaks to the idea that together we can solve our current social challenges through powerful Progressive solutions.”

Registration for “Move Powefully” New Leaders Council National Leadership Retreat is open now through July 20, 2012.  For more information please visit: http://newleaderscouncil.org  

New Leaders Council is a 501 (c) (3) public charity dedicated to educating a new generation of leaders and to providing those leaders with the tools they need to succeed. NLC does not engage in political or legislative activities of any kind, does not support or oppose any candidate for public office, and serves only as an educational leadership training ground.