Your community needs you
at the table.
Civic Leadership Academy is a 9-month program that prepares Allentown residents to run for public office, lead community initiatives, and shape the systems that determine opportunities for children and families.
Allentown has no shortage of people who care. What’s missing is a clear path into public life.
Local government, school boards, zoning boards, and civic institutions make decisions every day that affect families across this city. Too often, the people most affected by those decisions aren’t in the room where they’re made.
Civic Leadership Academy changes that. We recruit, train, and connect residents who are ready to step into those rooms and help shape the future of our city.
A program built for people
who are serious about change.
Over 22 sessions led by content-area experts, participants build the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to lead in their community. The program runs from August through April, with weekday evening sessions and select Saturdays.
Train
A diverse cohort through 22 sessions led by content-area experts.
Support
Graduates through ongoing programming to deepen thier knowledge, network, impact.
Create Systemic Change
By preparing members to lead initiatives, run for public office, and shape policies
that drive equitable outcomes for children.
Graduation isn’t the finish line. Members join an ongoing network
for continued learning and civic action — because the real work happens after the program ends.
We’re looking for residents who are ready to learn how the systems around them work — and willing to do something about it.
Strong candidates:
→ Believe every child deserves real opportunity
→ Reflect the lived experiences and diversity of Allentown
→ Have shown up for their community through service, advocacy, or leadership
→ Want to understand how public systems work and how to change them
→ Are willing to engage honestly, including in hard conversations about equity and governance
Members commit to 5–10 hours per week, full participation in all 22 sessions, and showing up prepared and accountable to their cohort.
Have questions before you apply?
Our FAQs covers what to expect, from the schedule to what comes after graduation.
Ready to take your seat
at the table?
Apply now for the inaugural
Civic Leadership Academy cohort.