Our Mission Matters

The Academy’s mission is to increase the number of central Ohio’s African American leaders and broaden its awareness of a wider pool of capable and civic minded African American professionals. Maximizing the potential and engagement of all social and economic sectors is essential to the greater purpose of building “best at” and “best to be in” businesses and communities.

The Structure that Supports our Mission

Program Overview & Curriculum

The African American Leadership Academy (AALA) Fellowship brings together a dynamic group of leaders from across Central Ohio who are committed to strengthening their leadership and expanding their impact in the community. Each class year includes two cohorts of up to 20 Fellows each, for a total of approximately 40 participants. Fellows represent a broad range of professional backgrounds including the private sector, entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations, government, and education, creating a diverse learning environment rooted in shared experiences and leadership growth. Throughout the program year, Fellows participate in a series of sessions designed to strengthen leadership capacity, deepen relationships, and support meaningful engagement across sectors.

Program Details

Duration: 8 months
Structure: Each cohort participates in nine AALA sessions during the program year
Curriculum: Strengths-based curriculum focused on efficacy, leadership agility, and leadership interaction

Class Schedule (Download) Program Overview (Download)

Advisory Board & Leadership

The African American Leadership Academy (AALA) is guided by a dedicated Advisory Board made up of representatives from sponsoring organizations, AALA alumni, and other respected leaders from across the Central Ohio community. The board provides strategic guidance, leadership, and stewardship to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Academy’s mission.

AALA also intentionally integrates alumni leadership into its governance structure. Following each program year, select members from the graduating cohort are nominated by their class and invited to serve on the Advisory Board for a two-year term. This approach helps ensure the program remains connected to the experiences of Fellows while strengthening the broader AALA network. The Advisory Board currently includes approximately 20 active members.

AALA Leadership

Advisory Board Chair: Bo Chilton
Advisory Board Vice Chair: Tristan Hall
Executive Director: Mo Wright
Senior Program Consultant: Monisa Mason

Advisory Board Roster (Download)

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” – Dr. Mae Jemison