What People Are Saying
 "My dream is to create a progressive social agenda for the city of New Haven. To do that, there needs to be coalitions and collaboration with many people throughout the city. I think that the Leadership Institute can do that . . . it will allow me to build those relationships and to find people that have the same interests, attitudes and concerns in regards to my community."
-Jacqueline James, 3rdWard Alderwoman,
City of New Haven
 "There is a wealth of information coming out of these trainings that we can use for our specific work in our communities. This is a unique opportunity for many of us to ... face issues that are very similar in many cities and urban settings, and together figure out solutions to those problems. We have something in our hands that is unique.We need to come together and keep coming together to do this more often.
-Juan Leyton, Former Executive Director,
City Life/Vida Urbana, Boston, MA
 “The role that BP can play with [partner] sites is realizing the power of individuals and organizations that are really changing the debate. Change comes by inspiring others to action on a local level, in a mindful and strategic way. It comes through a lot of collaboration with a lot of different types of people—faith, labor, community, elected officials, academics—and how we branch out and come together to understand how the economy works. This education is what has been lacking.”
—Nora Bashir, Projects Coordinator,
Front Range Economic Strategy Center, Denver, CO
 "All cities have Chambers of Commerce that fight for business interests. We in the labor movement and the progressive community need a place to be able to do the same things. I was blown away by the energy and the excitement when 30 leaders of local organizations gathered for the [Civic Leadership] Institute. They were genuinely excited about having a vehicle to come together and plan a direction for new development."-Charlie Flemming, President,
Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council & Founder, Georgia STAND-UP
 "Sometimes there are a few select people who get involved [in organizing], and get connected politically, but then they get their agendas met, and the results don't trickle down to the people. With a coalition that crosses over gender, race, and political agendas-then you really start to exercise political power for the people that need it most.
-Tracy Bates, Executive Director,
English Avenue CDC, Atlanta, GA
 "The most important thing about the Civic Leadership] Institute was just learning how to communicate better, and learning what motivates everyone in the room. Oftentimes--in fact, most of the time--we have the same motivations and interests, and they involve serving people who need help--working people and working families who certainly are up against it, not only in our area but across the country."-Jim Snow, Organizing Director, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 35 »
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