Our emerging leaders work recognizes that a curated space for leaders of color is not merely an opportunity to grow, but an essential investment in the future of inclusive and transformational leadership. This unique space of community building and deepening of relationships, provides a platform for collective learning, fostering innovation that drives systemic change.
The foundation of this focus area is the Transformational Leadership Program, which happens once a year. From there, folks are able to join the growing Transformational Leadership Community and participate in our other programs.
The Transformational Leadership Program (TLP) is a liberatory leadership development journey designed for leaders of color committed to disrupting harmful systems, cultivating humanizing workspaces, and leading with love, equity, and purpose.
TLP is not a traditional leadership program. It centers community, healing, embodiment, and imagination. It is a brave space that holds complexity, invites vulnerability, and nurtures the power and wisdom of those most impacted by systems of oppression.
We welcome you to apply for TLP Cohort 12! Applications open on Friday, August 1st. Please see the information below for session details.
Sessions: Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except December), from noon to 4:30 PM.
Session Dates: September 18th, October 16th, November 20th, December 11th, January 15th, February 19th, March 19th, and April 16th.
Graduation Day: May 21st, 2026
TLP Application Process Timeline
Thursday, August 1:
TLP Application Opens
Thursday, August 15th, 6-7pm:
Zoom Info Session
(Register by clicking on Step 1)
Friday, August 23 at 5pm:
Application Closes
Thursday, August 29, 9am-2:30pm:
TLP Meet & Greets
Thursday, September 6:
Candidates notified of decision
Thursday, September 19th:
TLP Orientation
Since 2013, the Transformational Leadership Program (TLP) has delivered group training and one-on-one career coaching to established and emerging Black and Latinx leaders. TLP is the only regional cross-cultural and cross-sector leadership development program unapologetically designed for professionals of color. With over 150 alumni, TLP leaders are radically changing the community landscape as influencers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, givers in grassroots movements as well as civic and voluntary board service, and engaged residents of metro Grand Rapids.
Applications for the program typically open and close in August. The program begins in the fall with an orientation, meets for meets one afternoon a month and concludes with a graduation celebration in May. Participants must receive a sign off from their employer and submit a recommendation form with their application. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date with application information, program and other network updates.
Join us in celebrating a decade of impact and inspiration! The Transformational Leadership Program (TLP) is 10 years strong! Since its inception in 2013, TLP has been a beacon of leadership cultivation for established and emerging BIPOC leaders in the Grand Rapids area. This milestone video features heartfelt testimonials and stories from UCC founders and TLP alumni from each cohort, showcasing the profound influence TLP has had on their lives and sense of community.
We envision a vibrant ecosystem where our TLP alumni can continue to grow, connect, and inspire one another, fostering a legacy of leadership that extends far beyond our program's walls. TLC is an extending opportunity for TLP Alumni to have monthly options for connection via Leadership Learning Labs, Wisdom Weavers Circles, and our annual events. We understand that each of our destinies is tied to each other, and deepening our connections allows us all to go further faster.
If you are a TLP alumni are are not in the alumni Facebook Group or Basecamp, please reach out to Lili at TLP@uccgr.org to join.
A learning lab is more than an educational initiative; it is a catalyst for transformative leadership and systemic change. By investing in collective learning, we strengthen each other to rise, innovate, and lead with impact, creating a space of belonging and strategies for an equitable future for all.
We envision a vibrant ecosystem where our TLP alumni can continue to grow, connect, and inspire one another, fostering a legacy of leadership that extends far beyond our program's walls. One way we are doing this is by connecting our TLP Alumni via Wisdom Weavers Circles. We understand that each of our destinies is tied to each other, and deepening our connections allows us all to go further faster.
Wisdom Weavers Circles are a structured group of 4-5 people that provide Mutual Mentorship. A framework that include community agreements, roles for each person and tools to support their conversations is provided. These groups provide a space for people to unpack issues, wonderings or curiosities, it provides them the same group of people to go deep with each session. To learn more, you are reach this blog post about why Mutual Mentorship is important to our growth and development.
