New Jersey Black Women’s Collective Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute

Don’t miss out on the New Jersey Black Women’s Collective Leadership Institute launching in February 2026 at the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers-Newark!

Cohort 2026: February 28, 2026 – June 7, 2026
APPLY NOW >
Application Deadline: February 12, 2026

Designed for emerging leaders in any sector, the Leadership Institute will help participants gain the skills and strategies needed to address current problems in real time, actualize their skilled vision, and build effectiveness, while developing a talent pipeline for Black women leaders in New Jersey. We welcome participants of any race, gender, or ethnicity.

The Leadership Institute consists of 15 intensive curated sessions led by renown keynote speakers and specifically curated Rutgers SPAA course sessions followed by a networking lunch hour and a series of presentations, workshops, lectures, panels, and working sessions on a variety of topics specific to leadership, organizational culture, and personal development.

The program will conclude with a presentation of a capstone project, graduation ceremony, and the opportunity to access a group of mentors and senior leaders through the NJBWC and Rutgers community.

Program Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to prepare for greater leadership responsibility, plan for career growth, and expand professional and peer networks by a number of topics in this academy such as:

• Strategic Planning
• Emotional Intelligence
• Financial Acumen
• Strategic Communication for Management
• Effective Presentations and Personal Branding

Students participating in this program will also gain valuable firsthand experience by expert lecturers and industry partners through a variety of modalities such as networking, discussions, panels, and workshops.

Core Elements of the Program

• Leadership
• Career Growth
• Mentorship
• Networking
• Financial Acumen
• Organization Politics and Culture
• Self-Care
• Capstone Project

Apply if you are:

• A mid-level manager or supervisor ready to advance your career.
• Aspiring to elevate to Director and Vice President roles.
• Interested in acquiring tools and strategies for effective change management.
• Seeking to enhance your financial knowledge and skills to drive organizational success.
• Looking to improve your fundraising abilities to support your organization’s mission and goals.
• Aiming to enhance your time management abilities for better productivity and efficiency in your role.
• Interested in developing skills to effectively navigate and influence politics in the workplace.
• Committed to leading with AI and integrating technology into your leadership approach.

If you identify with these criteria and are eager to grow your leadership capabilities, we encourage you to apply!

About Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA)

Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) is consistently ranked as a top school for public management and leadership, as well as nonprofit management and urban policy, by U.S. News & World Report, and is recognized as one of the world’s leading research institutions in public administration in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) compiled by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. Rutgers SPAA is also accredited by NASPAA – the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

About New Jersey Black Women’s Collective

The New Jersey Black Women’s Collective (NJBWC) is New Jersey’s first comprehensive advocacy organization solely dedicated to the proliferation of Black women leaders in the state. Established in 2021, the 501c(3) non-profit organization’s goal is to garner, harness and strengthen the economic, social and political power of Black women in New Jersey by directly investing in and advocating for Black women through coalition building, fundraising, community and stakeholder engagement.