Calling Grassroots Leaders!

Take your leadership to the next level with Leadership Anne Arundel’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA)

Change takes place in communities when residents take responsibility for and participate in their own initiatives for positive change. However, certain skills are necessary for those initiatives to be successful. That’s why 25 years ago a LAA Flagship Program class project established the Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) to address this need for a skill-based leadership program.

NLA is targeted to current and emerging grassroots leaders in neighborhoods throughout Anne Arundel County, providing residents of Anne Arundel County communities with skill-based leadership training and relationship development. NLA helps participants become adept in leadership roles by focusing on improving skills such as effective communications and building consensus. It is the only program of its kind in the state of Maryland.

If you are ready to assume personal responsibility for improving the quality of life within your community in Anne Arundel County, then scroll below to apply today. Experience our non-traditional teaching approaches that will nurture and develop your leadership skills. Typically, NLA runs from January to June.

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy is assisted, in part, by the Jerome S. & Grace H. Murray Foundation.

Thank you to Anne Arundel County and Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. for their support of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy program through the County Executive’s Community Support Grant.

Additional supporters include M&T Bank and individual donor, Tara Balfe Clifford.

Components of Neighborhood Leadership Academy 2026

Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) provides “grassroots” leadership training for individuals who are interested and committed to improving the quality of life in the county’s neighborhoods and communities with essential information and leadership skills.

NLA participants are trained to identify and assess community needs; to work with, engage and lead other citizens; and to better understand and gain access to existing resources and decision-makers affecting their communities.

NLA 2026 Program Overview

Sessions take place on one Saturday out of the month from 10 am-4 pm,  in locations throughout Anne Arundel County including, but not limited to, Annapolis, Brooklyn Park, Severn, Linthicum and Galesville.

Session Topics:

Participants meet for 6 sessions over 6 months to develop their leadership skills and understanding of the following topics:

• Communicating effectively
• Understanding leadership
• Assessing community needs
• Appreciating diversity
• Developing and accessing resources
• Managing finances
• Building communities through partnerships and collaborations
• Familiarizing with local governments

Dates: 2026

Session 1 – Effective Communication: The Cornerstone of Leadership, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 am-4 pm

Session 2 – Understanding Power, Conflict Resolution & Appreciating Inclusivity, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10 am-4 pm

Session 3 –  Shared Community History - Building your Network, Saturday, March 28, 2026,10 am-4pm

Session 4 –  Practical Leadership Tools, Saturday, April 25, 2026,10 am-4 pm

Session 5 – Connecting with Elected Leaders & Accessing Community Resources, Saturday, May 16, 2026,10 am-4 pm

Session 6 –  Taking your place and moving forward into action, Saturday, June 13, 2026,10 am-4 pm

Tribute to Community Leadership & Graduation Ceremony, during the week of June 22, 2026, 5:30-8 pm - Date TBD (weeknight)

How You Can Participate:

Approximately 20-25 people are selected each year to participate in the Neighborhood Leadership Academy.  NLA tuition is paid through grants and LAA Membership contributions. There is no cost for individuals to participate, however a strong commitment to attending all sessions in their entirety and completing brief session surveys is required to graduate from the program. 

Application and Selection: 

NLA participants are selected based on their sincere concern for the county, their current engagement in underserved neighborhoods in Anne Arundel County and on their commitment to make a difference in their community.

Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) Applications are accepted from October 1 through December 15 each year.

If you have questions, please call the LAA Office at (410) 571-9798 or contact us at info@leadershipaa.org.