African American Leadership
Development Program (AALDP)
By joining AALDP, you're not just advancing your career—you're becoming part of a legacy of leadership that drives positive change in our communities.
- What is AALDP?
- Program Highlights
- Class 30 Graduates
- AALDP Alumni
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What is AALDP?
For over three decades, the Urban League's African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP) has been at the forefront of fostering leadership among senior-level African American professionals. This immersive civic learning initiative is designed to refine participants' professional skills through an intensive curriculum that emphasizes critical community issues and leadership lessons.Program Benefits
Participants in the African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP) will gain a comprehensive understanding of critical issues facing African Americans, identify and address professional growth opportunities and challenges, prepare for future leadership roles and success, and enhance their professional networks and community connections.
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Program Highlights
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Leadership Development: AALDP offers participants the chance to gain a deep understanding of significant issues facing African Americans in Southwestern Ohio and in the workplace. The program equips participants with the skills needed to navigate and influence their professional environments effectively.
Networking Opportunities: Participants will connect with a diverse cohort of peers, creating a robust professional network that extends beyond the program. This network is instrumental in fostering collaboration and support among African American leaders in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Curriculum Focus: The program covers a broad range of topics, including Health & Wellness, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Black Economics, Human Services, Education, Government & Advocacy, and Leadership. These subjects are crucial for developing well-rounded leaders who are prepared to address the multifaceted challenges in their communities.
Program Structure: AALDP spans ten months, with sessions typically held on the first Friday of each month from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The program includes mandatory overnight sessions, as well as various activities designed to deepen participants' understanding and engagement with the material.
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Class 30 Graduates
Meet the Most Recent Graduating Class
AALDP boasts nearly 1,000 alumni, including prominent leaders in this most recent class such as Salimah Abdul-Hakim, Founder and CEO of Soleil Kitchen, and Barbara Bell, District Director for U.S. Representative Greg Landsman. These graduates exemplify the program's impact on professional and community leadership. Meet the impressive class below.
Salimah Abdul-Hakim
Founder and CEO
Soleil Kitchen
Barbara Bell
District Director
U.S. House of Representatives/Rep. Greg Landsman
D'arrell Brown
Sr. Director of Workforce
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Tai Collins
Associate Dean of the Graduate College
University of Cincinnati
Maria Cunningham Hill
Sr. Mgr, Talent Acquisition
Hillman Group
Akiva Freeman
Sr. Manager
The Kroger Co.
Lindzie Gunnels
Commercial Leasing Manager/Managing Broker
3CDC/Gunnels Realty
Rickell Howard Smith
President & CEO
YWCA Greater Cincinnati
Alexandria Merriweather-Turner
Professor
Central State University
Janice Miller
Manager of Accounting
Council on Aging
Nick Mockabee
Center Store Sales Manager
The Kroger Co.
Ayanna Morgan
Sr. Grants Manager
Cradle Cincinnati
Toilynn O'Neal Turner
Founding Director
Robert O'Neal Multicultural Arts Center
DeShawn Raimey
Cybersecurity Engineer
Western & Southern Financial Group
Robert Sanders
Principal
Sanders Development Group
Ryane Sickles
Clinical Research Manager/Early Intervention Program Manager
University of Cincinnati
Devona Stripling
Director of the Women Excel Program & Diverse by Design
Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce
Marcus Thompson
Director, Corporate Development
Triversity Construction
Janaya Trotter Bratton
Judge
Hamilton County Municipal Court
Chantal Weaver
Talent Acquisition Diversity & Inclusion Consultant
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Donald Young
Owner
Secure & Protect
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AALDP Alumni
Class 29 Graduates
African American Leadership Development Program | Class 29
Kevin L. Brooks
Asst. VP | Dispute Resolution Mgr.
Fifth Third Bank
Aharon Brown
Mayor
City of Forest Park
Markiea Carter
Dir. Department of Community & Economic Development
City of Cincinnati
Simone Charles
Owner, Event Maven, Creative Dir.
Social B. & Co. Hospitality
India Cole
Quality Improvement Specialist
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Rasheda Cromwell
VP of Community Strategies
Greater Cincinnnati Foundation
Kimberly H. Hamilton
Supervising Accountant
City of Cincinnati
Leon A. Hampton
Attorney
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Wanda Hayes
Dir., Software Quality Assurance - Automation
Western & Southern LIfe
Malcolm Amir Hicks, Sr.
Marketing & Branding Coord.
Media Hawk Marketing Firm
Christie Kuhns
President & CEO
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Kick Lee
Executive Director
Cincinnati Music Accelerator
Joel McCauley
Sr. Pastor
New Jerusalem Baptist Church
Jenifer Moore
Corporate Affairs Mgr.
The Kroger Co.
Tramayne J. Roberson
Information Systems Operations Support Mgr.
Hamilton County Job & Family Services
Kelly D. Robinson
Senior Director,
Special Projects & Events
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Quen Sandle
Logistics Supervisor
TriHealth - Bethesda North Hospital
Erica Scarborough
Nurse Manager
TriHealth Bethesda North
Jessica R. Shely
Founder & CEO
GPD Creative Agency
Zakiyyah Thurman
Professional Excellence Specialist
TriHealth
Taiesha Williams
Mgr. Talent Acquisition
TriHealth
Ebony Young
Senior VP of Impact
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio