Building Power Tour
Twenty years of training leaders who don’t wait for permission. Now we’re hitting the road.
NLC President & CEO Karen Pandy-Cherry is traveling the country to connect with alumni, organizers, and community leaders building power from the ground up. The Building Power Tour is a series of gatherings and conversations that meet each city where it is. Every stop looks different. Every stop is intentional.
We’re not just visiting. We’re showing up.
Next Stop: Houston
New Leaders Council (NLC) is a national nonprofit organization that has spent 20 years training and developing the next generation of civic leaders from underrepresented communities. Our alumni are organizers, advocates, elected officials, and community builders working across the country to create change from the inside out.
Building Power Tour: Houston
May 1 – 2, 2026
Houston is the most diverse city in the country, and it shows up that way. NLC President & CEO Karen Pandy-Cherry is coming to Houston for a weekend of connection, conversation, and community.
friday, May 1
nlc day of action: Mayday strong
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
NLC Houston is the next stop on the Building Power Tour and we are joining the Mayday Strong Coalition! On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.
We’re taking back our power, through art, music, field‑day fun, and collective action.
Join NLC and Houston’s Community-Labor Table at MacGregor Park (2–6 PM) for a day that celebrates workers, families, and the communities that make Houston strong.
Our labor. Our voices. Our power.
Saturday, May 2
NLC Houston Reception
3 PM – 6 PM
NLC Houston, join us for a reception where we will give an update on where New Leaders Council is today, where we’re going and evening of reconnecting!
Completed Tour Stops
Building Power Tour: Atlanta
March 12–14, 2026
Atlanta has always been a city that leads. In March, NLC President & CEO Karen Pandy-Cherry came to Atlanta for a full weekend of connection, conversation, and community. Three days. Three experiences. One city that showed up.
Over the course of the weekend, NLC hosted a morning at the Georgia State Capitol, a chapter reception for NLC alumni, and a public celebration at The Vick at Healy featuring a fireside chat with Karen, alumni stories, and a look ahead at NLC’s next chapter.
This stop was made possible by the NLC Atlanta Host Committee, alumni who have continued to lead long after their fellowship year ended.
Building Power Tour: Atlanta Co-Chaired by Charisse Price ’15 · Joel Alvarado ’16 · Ashley Nealy ’15
NLC Atlanta alumni Host Committee
Ebony Hillsman (NLC Atlanta Founder) · Greg Clay ’11 · Jay Bailey ’11 · Hon. Shayla J. Nealy ’12 · Maurice Stewart ’12 · Rep. Nikema Williams ’13 · Councilmember Matt Westmoreland ’13 · Katerina Taylor ’14 · Councilmember Jason Dozier ’16 · Ericka Hopson ’17 · Ashani O’Mard ’18 · Councilmember Yterenickia “YT” Bell ’18 · Jonathan Leon ’18 · Alan Campbell ’20 · Vanessa Kelly ’21 · DJ Myers ’22 · Renee Marshall ’25