The Program

Leadership Winston-Salem, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization founded in 1984 by Thomas K. Hearn, Jr., Julius H. Corpening and C. Edward Pleasants, offers a comprehensive program intended to ignite community leaders. Likened to a community MBA, participants benefit through active engagement, attending one Program Day each month and working in Action Learning teams to address an actual challenge faced by a local organization or agency.

The program challenges participants to increase their personal and collective capacity to transform the community through civic engagement, servant leadership and building social capital. Components include:

Informative sessions with community leaders
Experiential group activities
Relationship building/networking opportunities
Opportunities for honoring all aspects of diversity
Action Learning Projects addressing community needs
Emphasis on servant leadership

After 27 years, Leadership Winston-Salem continues to provide life-changing experiences, including unparalleled networking opportunities and a learning environment comprised of participants who want to make a positive impact in the community.

The 2012-13 program starts in October 2012 and ends in June 2013. A non-refundable tuition of $2,250 includes materials, transportation, and meals for each activity day. This program is a considerable time investment that participants are asked to commit to, both in terms of class day attendance and pre-work, and also in action learning projects undertaken for the duration of the program.

Key Program Dates for 2012-13 Program

*Wednesday, October 3 - Thursday, October 4, 2012 (Opening Retreat)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 (Afternoon only)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (Inclement Weather Make-Up Day, if needed)
Wednesday, April 01, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
*Wednesday, June 5, 2013 (Closing Session & Evening Celebration)

* denotes mandatory attendance
(All day sessions are full day sessions, from 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The Opening Retreat is scheduled for two full days.)

“Leadership Winston-Salem is more of a leadership enhancement program than a leadership instruction program, because most of the people going through it are already leaders in their own right. But regardless, it’s an incredibly important part of our city. The program really pays extraordinarily good dividends for the city. I had never really thought about running for office prior to the program.”

Allen Joines, City of Winston-Salem, Mayor, Class of 1989