National League Of Cities Group Names Fellows

WASHINGTON  - San Antonio Council Member Ivy Taylor and Charlotte, N.C., Council Member David Howard have been chosen as the 2010-2011 Foundation Fellows for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) Foundation.  The Foundation is supported by the National League of Cities (NLC).

“We are extremely proud to welcome Council Members Taylor and Howard into the new Fellows program and look forward to watching them grow and prosper as elected officials,” said NBC-LEO Foundation chair Daisy W. Lynum, Commissioner, Orlando, Fla.  “A good elected official possesses superior leadership skills and integrity, qualities that are at the core of the NBC-LEO Foundation’s mission.”

The Fel lows Program is an annual leadership development program providing African Americans, and other elected officials from diverse communities, training and mentoring.  Fellows participate in learning forums, case study discussions and seminars on leadership development.  The Fellows are also matched with mentors who provide career guidance and networking opportunities.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural class of the NBC-LEO Foundation Fellows Program,” said Council Member Taylor.  “I know that I will benefit tremendously from the opportunity to focus on the leadership tools and strategies that can help me be an effective advocate for my community.”

“This has been an amazing year of blessings for me, having been elected as an at-large member of Charlotte’s city council and now being selected in the inaugural class of the NBC-LEO Fellows Program,” said Council Member Howard.  “The mentorship, course work, networking and guidance will provide great insight and direction as I start this journey as a city councilman for a city I love and care for dearly.”

As part of their curriculum, the Fellows will attend seminars sponsored by the NLC Leadership Training Institute and will network with other elected officials, corporate partners and national leaders.  Fellows will also receive registrations to NLC’s 2010 Congress of Cities in Denver, 2011 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. and the 2011 NBC-LEO Annual Summer Conference.

Fellows are also assigned mentors during their time in the program.  Council Member Taylor will be mentored by Charlotte, N.C., Council Member James Mitchell Jr., NLC First Vice President and NBC-LEO Foundation Immediate Past Chair.  Council Member Howard will be mentored by Baton Rouge, La., Council Member Ulysses Addison Jr.

The NBC-LEO Foundation supports and conducts non-partisan research, technical assistance, training and educational and informational activities and programs to advance African American political participation at the local level.  The Foundation also promotes municipal employment of African Americans and develops positive perceptions about government by African American citizens. 

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.