Do you want to make positive change in your community? ELCC members...
Train
with experts to become an effective civic leader, bridge builder, and changemaker
Build
a network of fellowship with young leaders of faith in your local community and beyond
Design
and implement local initiatives that will make a positive, lasting impact in your community
Applications for the next cohort are open!
Emerging Leaders for Community Change (ELCC) is an initiative of The Georgia Faith Forward Democracy (FFD) network, a multifaith, nonpartisan network of faith leaders which is supported by the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network and The Carter Center. We are united by a concern for our increasingly divided country and the impact those divisions have on our communities, families, and democracy. Recognizing that young people of faith are uniquely positioned to bridge divides, ELCC empowers emerging leaders of faith to create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
2026 - 2027 Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
Faith-based Leadership in Divided Societies
September 19, 2026
ELCC Kickoff Retreat
Understand the unique position and role that faith can play in healing (and creating) division.
Dynamics and Impact of Polarization | Dr. Susan Glisson
September 19, 2026
ELCC Kickoff Retreat
Learn how to address division by first understanding the structural and psychological dynamics of polarization in the United States. Dive deeper into how polarization impacts our mental health, relationships, and communities.
Nonviolent Communication | Dr. Jillinda Weaver
October 1, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
In-person
Discover practical tools for communicating across differences, building understanding with people of diverse perspectives, and finding common ground to navigate interpersonal and community conflict.
Election Integrity and Civic Engagement
October 2026
In-person
Restorative Approaches to Conflict and Communication | Danny Malec
October 29, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
In-person
Building on a previous workshop on conflict resolution and nonviolent communication skills, cohort members will be putting these skills into practice. Cohort members will learn about primary styles for responding to conflict, and the strengths and challenges of each while also practicing restorative approaches to conflict and communication
Mental Health and Resilience | Nikki Tobek
November 5, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
In-person
Communicating for Good | Barbara Ann Luttrell and Dr. Rashad Richey
November 19, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST
In-person
Learn practical strategies for authentically communicating across differences, fostering meaningful connections, and inspiring positive change in your community.
Intergenerational Dialogue
December 2026
In-person
Community Change Project Design and Implementation
January 2027
In-person
Learn how to co-design and implement your own community-level change initiative alongside your fellow cohort members.
2026 - 2027 ELCC Steering Committee
Siham Ahmed
Derya Aydin
Tom Crick
Tochi Ezeokonkwo
Laurence Minter
Dana Smiley
Chris Smith
Jasmin Sosa
Hank Steed
