As a young child, every day my mother ask me to say ONE thing to her before I left her presence. “I am a leader, not a follower”

I’m resting in deep gratitude, this 10 month fellowship journey was a refining fire to my passion. I truly felt my purpose sharpen as I learned how to build pathways where culture and legacy can breathe and belong. African American Leadership Institute reminded me that courageous leadership is bold love so my heart is so full and focused.

Heath Donell Creech—your legacy lives on in the way we lead, create, and serve.

"Everything is truly in divine order and unfolding beautifully."

Over the past 10 months, I've gained more than just leadership skills; I've gained a deeper understanding of our community's civic landscape and the power of collective action. This experience forced me to reflect, grow, and step into my purpose with renewed vigor.

A huge thank you to the AALI leadership team and many others for curating an experience that is unapologetically Black, insightful, and challenging.

To my fellow "25 Live" Cohort members—my new forever family—thank you for the intellectual sparring, the deep connections, and the shared commitment to advancing Black leadership in Central Texas.

Impact extends far beyond the spaces we see—every act of leadership plants a seed for those who come after us.

Gratitude for a renewed sense of self-assurance, the foundation of leadership and investment in meaningful connection.

Feeling re-centered, re-energized, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside others committed to leading with intention.

Thank you AALI for creating space for reflection, connection, and transformation.

Over the past 10 months, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in deep, meaningful learning around critical issues impacting our communities—public safety,

education, affordable housing, the arts, wellness, and more. Through intentional study and powerful dialogue, I’ve gained a richer understanding of our history, our challenges, and—most importantly—our opportunities to lead lasting change.

This journey has been truly transformative. I’ve experienced growth that’s hard to put into words—both personally and professionally. I leave this program with increased confidence, new insights, and an incredible network of leaders who now feel like family.

This experience stands among the most impactful of my professional journey. For ten months, I was surrounded by extraordinary leaders who embodied excellence, strength, and purpose.

Being Black, being a leader, and being fully seen was beautifully normalized in every space we shared.

This program stretched me in ways that refined both my leadership and my character, helping me become more intentional and grounded.

This journey has been transformative; deepening my understanding of leadership, civic engagement, education, health, and equity within our community.

Through AALI, I found not just professional growth, but a sense of belonging in a city that is only 7% African American. A community that pours, gives, and uplifts unapologetically Black leaders in Austin.

To my amazing Cohort, #25WeLive, thank you for your gifts, your talents, your time, and your voice.

I’m profoundly grateful to have completed Cohort 2025 of the African American Leadership Institute.

Over 10 months, this community expanded my understanding of Austin; education, mental health, policy, access, and more, but most importantly, it deepened my sense of belonging.

Thank you for making space and welcoming this Brit to your family!

I’ve discovered so much more about who I am, what I stand for, and the kind of leader I am becoming.

AALI gave me space to grow, to be seen, to be heard, and to be challenged. I found my voice. I learned the value of being a stakeholder in my community, not waiting for change—but being the change.

This journey has connected me with brilliant minds and powerful hearts—individuals who like me, think boldly, and lead fearlessly.

To the founders, leadership team, facilitators, and every person who poured into us—thank you. You didn't just teach leadership; you molded it.

Through the AALI program, I realized that I am more influential at my job than originally thought. I have learned to walk into my power, and be an example (especially as one of a few black people in my job). I no longer feel like leading while black is a burden, but it’s something I am proud of and I approach challenges on my job extremely differently. I drive change and impact on my job and have began setting systems in place to ensure diverse team members feel a sense of belonging but also have began leading more community initiatives.

Participating in the AALI Cohort has been one of the most empowering and transformative experiences of my life. From the moment I was accepted into the program, I knew I was stepping into a space designed not just to develop leaders—but to nurture Black leaders in a way that honors our identity, history, and unique challenges.

Throughout the program, I gained invaluable leadership skills, expanded my network with like-minded professionals, and engaged in deep, often challenging conversations about what it truly means to lead in and for the Black community.

Thanks to AALI, I now feel more equipped, confident, and inspired to lead with intention, advocate for equity, and pour back into the communities that shaped me. This program isn’t just professional development—it’s personal transformation.

Being in room with people who all have degrees and I just have lived experience can be defeating. It took me awhile to find my voice in the group but being in this group helped me find my voice and my worth. Being in this group let me know that I am ready now and deserve to take up space. Being in the group refreshed my look on community and family.

AALI has been one of the most profound and enriching experiences of my life!

It has provided me invaluable insights, expanded my network with like-minded individuals, and challenged my perspectives in ways I had never anticipated. The lessons I have garnered and the connections I have made will undoubtedly guide me for years to come as I continue to grow and evolve personally and professionally.

My AALI Fellows have become a vital part of my journey, offering support, wisdom, and encouragement. Their collective experiences and shared knowledge have equipped me with tools and perspectives I will carry forward, ensuring that the impact of AALI remains deeply embedded in my future endeavors.

I am beyond blessed to say that these amazing leaders feel like my family now, and much more than just friends/ colleagues.

Over the last ten months it has been such an honor and amazing privilege to be a fellow in the 2023 Cohort of the African American Leadership Institute. As we wrapped up our graduation this past week I have nothing but gratitude in my heart and drive in my soul to continue pushing forward.

To summarize my appearances over the past year in a few paragraphs would not do this cohort justice. This 3rd Cohort became so close as we laughed, cried, shared joy, sorrow, and anger together.

My personal and professional growth would not be where it is now without every one of them.

I can't help but look back at the incredible journey we've been on together.

Over the past ten months, AALI Cohort 3 has grown, learned, and inspired one another in ways we never imagined. From day one, we set out to hone our leadership skills, but we accomplished something more remarkable in the newly formed bonds and relationships. This experience has been profound and a reminder of why I chose a career in public service. It has also been a reminder that leaders need community as well.

Thank you for creating a safe space for the 2023 AALI Cohort. This was an incredible opportunity to build community.

Here's to a brighter future as a leader, shaped by the invaluable lessons and connections made in the warm embrace of AALI.

The African American Leadership Institute owes me nothing! As I look back on my journey as a graduate of Cohort 3 in AALI, my heart overflows with gratitude and a warm sense of nostalgia. Every moment I spent in this program was simply amazing. The sessions we had were like stepping stones that led me on a path of personal and professional transformation I'll cherish forever.

What made this experience truly exceptional was the incredible community we built together. It's not an exaggeration to say that the people I met here became my second family. We started as strangers and left as friends bound by a unique connection and shared dreams.

AALI has been a compass that guided me towards new opportunities and aspirations I never knew I had.

Each and every one of you truly inspire me.

To my fellow 2023 Cohorts, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to share space with you this year. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for us all.

From the first day, it was apparent that AALI was a transformative journey.

Participation in the 3rd Cohort of the African American Leadership Institute (AALI) has truly been the experience of a lifetime. Words cannot adequately express the impact it has had on my personal and professional growth.

The opportunity to be a part of this esteemed institute been nothing short of incredible. One of the most invaluable aspects of the AALI experience has been the relationships formed.

Collaborating with like-minded individuals who are passionate about driving positive change in their communities has been both inspiring and motivating.

As a rising leader in the community, AALI has expanded my ability to serve.

As a member of the first cohort of AALI, I have been exposed to intellectual resources that have opened doors for me. During our July panel discussion, I made a comment concerning the lack of workforce development opportunities for the formerly incarcerated population.

Within two hours of making that comment, I was scheduled to meet with a Texas Workforce Commissioner for the following week to discuss expanding training and workforce development opportunities for the formerly incarcerated population in Travis County!

My hours of conversation with AALI staff, fellows, and mind-blowing presenters have provided a North Star and a do-better plan.

As one in the program's class of first fellows, my AALI experience has come to an end. Only now am I able to fully register how I've grown. Now, I know HOW to know what Austin and specifically the layered subcategories of Austin's Black community needs.

My hours of conversation with AALI staff, fellows, and mind-blowing presenters have provided a North Star and a do-better plan. Boards and volunteer efforts, I'm coming for you!