On October 14, 2017, Greater Newark LISC (GNL) hosted the fifth annual Growing Leadership, Building Community Conference (GLBC) at the Center for Law and Justice at Rutgers University Newark. The GLBC is an annual conference that convenes resident leaders from greater Newark for a one-day leadership training. This year’s theme, “Becoming Quality of Life Change Agents” attracted over 120 participants from Newark and surrounding municipalities.
Participants had the opportunity to attend two of seven concurrent ninety-minute workshops. Workshop topics covered environmental justice, engagement through public art, empowering the next generation of leaders, using social media as an engagement tool, tapping your leadership potential, and urban placemaking.
The mayor opened the conference with a rousing speech that exhorted the audience to remain focused and involved in their community. The morning plenary hosted four “TED”-style talks by community leaders on health, community safety, community leadership, and environmental justice. The talks were moderated by GNL’s Local Advisory Committee member Diane Johnson. The short talks were engaging, motivational, and inspired attendees to get involved with issues that matter to the health and well-being of the community.