By Edward Henderson
‘Be the type of leader you would follow.’ This is one of the most impactful statements that shaped my perspective on what leadership is. We all have our views on the growth areas within urban communities and how we can improve them, but how often do we look into the mirror and ask ourselves if we are being the individual who can bring about this change? Community leaders Tony Young and Dwyane Crenshaw created a non-profit organization to answer this question. Rise San Diego’s fellowship program aims to foster self-aware leaders fueled by the purpose of serving urban communities. The most important aspect of the program centers on an introspective curriculum that sets this program apart from any other.
Young and Crenshaw co-founded Rise San Diego as a response to their observations of a need for leadership in San Diego’s urban communities. Rise partners with the University of San Diego’s leadership program utilizing the adaptive leadership model developed at Harvard University. The model looks at leadership as a distinction between technical and adaptive challenges. Technical challenges have more of a formulaic response while adaptive challenges rest on what is needed for the moment and how one can emotionally connect with the people they serve. Fellows apply for the year long program and attend four forums on USD’s campus and implement a community action project surrounding an area of interest they have serving a particular community.
“We’re preparing fellows self-reflection in how to be leaders in concert with other leaders and take on the challenges that seem to be impossible to solve and been around for a while,” Young said. “Because so much of the program is focused on individuals and their untapped strength, the program is driven more from the class than a curriculum.”
Rise just accepted their second class of fellows for their year long journey. Marissa Davis, Leadership and Civic Engagement Manager for the program, focused on accepting a class that is diverse and reflects the demographics of San Diego. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to San Diego and issues effecting urban communities here. A myriad of professional disciplines, ages (the last class ranged from 22 to 50’s) and perspectives are represented. Davis believes the dynamics of the group will foster an environment where everyone learns from each other and apply their skills under a broad umbrella of individuals who need it.
“This is really giving these leaders an opportunity to develop professionally through experiential learning,” Davis said. “It’s not just about a bunch of lectures. We’re challenging them to take what their learning across the forums and applying them real time to their endeavors.”
Dr. Zachery Green is Director of the Faculty for Rise on USD’s campus and has 30 years of experience in adaptive leadership. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, however. Dr. Green looks at his involvement with Rise as part of his greater responsibility to his people.
“If I was going to work at USD there had to be some place where I felt like I was helping my community. When RISE came a long it gave me the opportunity to connect to my own identity more fully as an African American male so I could be a bridge or communicator between two worlds. The world of a private university and the realities of an urban situation.”
One of the individuals Dr. Green has impacted in the program is Khea Pollard. As a member of the inaugural fellows’ class, Pollard relished the opportunity to delve into the deeper parts of who she was as a person.
“I learned a lot about my strengths as a leader, Pollard said. “I knew I had them, but putting them into words was a completely different story. Honing in on what those skills were and how I can best develop them within urban communities was phenomenal.”
Much of the introspection fellows receive comes from utilizing meditation. Sessions were opened with a variation of poems, prayers, and meditations to help center individuals in the present moment and get them ready to open up their vulnerability to experience growth. Pollard is also the first recipient of The Rise Scholarship and will receive half off of her graduate in non-profit leadership and management from USD.
“It’s really a prime position to be in and I see a lot of connections that can be made between the public sector and these non-profits. It was an honor to receive the scholarship.”
To learn more about Rise San Diego visit their website risesandiego.org.
