Elevating Leadership Development
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Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room
Contact Ayana Garcia at eldprogram@elpomar.org
Cultivating and celebrating diverse leadership
The ELD History
Learn more about the history of the ELD Program
Empowering leaders of color in our communities is essential to cultivating and celebrating diverse leadership. In 2001, we created Elevating Leadership Development (originally Emerging Leaders Development) to create greater access and support for people of color in Southern Colorado to tap into their leadership potential for the benefit of community.
ELD members receive scholarships for community leadership programs, network to build relationships across the community, and participate in a platform that connects them with civic leadership and board opportunities. Nonprofit boards, community commissions, and business leaders benefit from connecting with these trained, engaged leaders through Advisory Council meetings, ELD events, and Online Civic Engagement Profiles, and also from their employees receiving training and networking through ELD’s resources.
Advancing your leadership development and potential, networking with a committed group of leaders of color in Southern Colorado, and connecting to community engagement opportunities.
Direct connection with a diverse talent pool of leaders of color in Southern Colorado, through ELD’s meetings and events, and online database of leader profiles, as well as a leadership training and community networking resource for employees.
ELD advances the skills, knowledge, and network of leaders of color by providing access to leadership development and civic engagement opportunities, and by celebrating ethnic diversity.
Convene → Empower → Take Action
ELD programming is based on three core pillars: convene, empower, and take action.
CONVENE: Advisory Council Meetings
There are four Advisory Councils which convene quarterly: Asian Pacific Islander, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American. Nonprofits and business leaders network with ELD members during these meetings to identify opportunities for engagement. ELD members also learn about community leadership training workshops and scholarship opportunities to cover or offset course fees.
EMPOWER: Leadership Development Opportunities and Scholarships
ELD members are encouraged to pursue a variety of recognized community leadership development programs and skills trainings. The trainings provide personal assessment and coaching, explain key community issues and what it means to serve on a Board, and guide participants on moving an idea into action in the community. Members may apply for scholarships to attend courses for which they've been accepted.
TAKE ACTION: Civic Engagement Profiles
ELD members who complete a community leadership development program are eligible to complete an online civic engagement profile indicating their availability for community engagement and particular areas of interest, as well as their backgrounds and experience. Nonprofit leaders and public sector commissions seeking diverse board members use this resource to find individuals who are trained and ready to serve their community.
ELD By the Numbers
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Celebrating Cultural Heritage
El Pomar’s Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage Room was dedicated in 2006 to preserve and document the contributions of Asian Pacific Islander, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American individuals from Southern Colorado. Each year a member of one of these communities is inducted into the Milton E. Proby Cultural Heritage group of honorees and recognized in an induction ceremony.
What Participants Are Saying
“The ELD program provided me the opportunity to meet and convene with other Pueblo professionals and participate in many leadership programs such as Leadership Pueblo, board governance training, transitional leadership training and many more diverse professional development opportunities. Being a part of this great group of ethnic minority and community leaders who work in many capacities to empower our community while providing critical leadership support is not only rewarding as a professional but personally as an individual.”
“This was the best leadership training I have ever been in. I will use what I learned as I continue my professional journey. I have been empowered and my confidence boosted so I can more effectively work with community activities, civic engagement, and service on nonprofit boards.”
Say hello to Ayana Garcia.
She's here to help.
Ayana is ELD’s Program Coordinator and can field any questions you might have.
