The African American Leadership Institute (AALI) will emulate the Leadership Austin Essential program model, with a focus on increasing civic awareness, advancement opportunities, and employee retention specifically targeting Austin’s Black population.
AALI participants will have opportunities to make connections to affect long-term action required to create equity, opportunity and a higher quality of life for all of Austin’s citizens. It will also engage corporations to explore policy, process, and cultural aspects that can improve their ability to attract, equip, retain, and promote more Black professionals.
A growing, diverse group of Allies is listed on the aaliaustin.org website, which includes Mayors Steve Adler, County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, Leadership Austin, and a growing list of executives who understand the importance of the issues AALI is designed to address. The first corporate sponsors to commit to the launch of AALI include Facebook Austin, JPMorgan Chase, Q2, and Google, with a feasibility grant awarded by the Austin Together Fund to support exploration of partnership possibilities and potential national expansion.
“We are thrilled to partner with the African American Leadership Institute, which will be instrumental in our city’s future as we all strive to create equity, opportunity, and a higher quality of life for Austin’s Black citizens,” stated Katherine Shappley, VP of Global Business Group North America. “We believe AALI will improve our ability – and the ability of other companies in Austin – to attract, equip, retain, and promote Black talent. This is a business imperative – not only because it’s the right thing to do – but also, because diverse companies are more successful.”
“The commitment and drive of the African American Leadership Institute is making our city a better place by lifting up leaders who will build a more equitable Austin,” said Cindy Matula, managing director and market leader for JPMorgan Chase. “This is an exciting beginning to great and impactful work.”
For more information about AALI, visit https://www.aaliaustin.org or contact BiNi Coleman at bini@212catalysts.org or (512) 905-5493
AALI Inaugural Cohort now taking applications.
