By the Numbers | Happenings at LEE | Change Challenge Scholarship | Next Level Leadership Summit | American Roundtable | Omari Todd National Organizing Workshop | Regional Spotlight | New Partner Update | Partners in Action | LEE Inspire Summit | YES Prep Public Schools-Todos Families United | Upcoming Events
LEE ended the last quarter of 2025 with more than 70,400 members and 30 partners!
New members registered with LEE in Q4
Newly engaged members
LEE members ran for office, with a win rate of 73%
Jehu King is a KIPP Jacksonville alum, LEE member and current student at Howard University majoring in Political Science and Economics. Jehu was a winner of LEE’s inaugural Change Challenge Scholarship.
The Change Challenge invited members to identify meaningful change needed in their community and to develop a comprehensive plan to make that vision a reality. The challenge sought culturally responsive, equitable, and sustainable solutions. Jehu’s Scholarship Equity Project addressed the scholarship gap for Black and brown students by combining barrier-focused research with “Scholarship Equity Week” workshops and advocacy for community-based funds. This comprehensive approach drove immediate student success while securing long-term systemic changes that enabled more students to graduate debt-free.
When reflecting on why leadership matters, Jehu shared how “leadership is not just about holding a title but about having the courage to step forward, represent others, and move ideas into action. Our culture, our spirit, and our commitment to pushing forward makes us stronger than the challenges we face.”
Among many notable leadership roles, Jehu is a Carnegie Young Leaders Mentor at the Citizens Scholars Institute, an Executive member at Black Youth Empowerment Network and a founder of Econ Upward–a community initiative focused on economic education and advocacy.
This past fall was a busy and inspiring few months across the LEE network, filled with mission-driven events that brought members from every leadership level together in meaningful ways. From skill-building opportunities and civic engagement gatherings to powerful moments of connection among members, LEE leaders across the country have been deepening their impact. These events reflect the strength and purpose of our members, united by a shared belief in the power of civic engagement and leadership for change.
LEE piloted our first ever Change Challenge Scholarship in 2025. The Change Challenge Scholarship empowers members to envision meaningful change in their local community and bring that vision to life. LEE awarded three members the Change Challenge Scholarship: Summer Murrell-Harte (DREAM Charter High School alumna), Leilani Gutierrez (KIPP Southern California alumna), and Jehu King (KIPP Jacksonville alumnus). Congratulations to these three extraordinary young leaders!
This program was designed for members with 10 to 15 years of professional experience, who currently hold mid-level roles in policy or advocacy, and who are ready to move into a senior leadership role within the next year. The summit’s sessions focused on building members’ skills in key competencies, setting them up for success in their job search, and offering them a space to connect with fellow LEE members, our expert coaches, and partners.
From start to finish, the energy at the Summit was contagious, and as a team, LEE felt constantly affirmed that the right people were in the room. Members left feeling seen, supported, and equipped with practical tools, frameworks, resources, and a powerful network to continue leveling up in the fields of policy and advocacy.
LEE proudly launched “American Roundtable,” an initiative to meet this moment of leadership in America. In a time when meaningful connection across political ideology feels harder, yet more important than ever, the American Roundtable offered a rare opportunity for a select group of LEE elected officials across multiple states to step away from the noise and complexity of daily politics to engage in a confidential, thoughtful, respectful conversation grounded in shared values and reflection. The three-day convening was designed to encourage members to explore ways of understanding each other, build authentic relationships, and develop decision-making practices that move critical issues in their communities beyond default partisan politics.
In November, 69 LEE members gathered in Atlanta to learn, connect, and work on tangible solutions to move their organizing campaigns forward. Members were joined by a number of diverse and dynamic speakers including this year’s Omari Todd North Star Award winner and local impactful organizers in Atlanta.
“I came here with a real problem and I am leaving with a solution that I can get into motion on Monday morning! Y’all did an amazing job with this program!” -LEE Member
LEE members at the Omari Todd National Organizing Workshop
In October, the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute (SLI) hosted a dynamic session on community engagement, supported by LEE. This collaboration introduced 16 SLI members to the fundamental principles of organizing, leveraging LEE’s specialized resources to help leaders scale their impact.
Throughout the session, participants focused on expanding networks and building stronger bridges between local organizers, strengthening ties within their respective communities, and practicing effective advocacy with key power-holders.
The momentum from this training continued into the fall as two SLI members traveled to Atlanta for the National Organizing Workshop, further refining the skills they are now integrating back into their local communities.
In November, Teach For America and LEE hosted a virtual event tailored for Native Corps Members and Alumni, centered on the exploration of leadership fundamentals. This session provided a dedicated space for participants to examine how their unique skills and lived experiences serve as a foundation for community-driven projects.
By reflecting on their personal leadership pathways, attendees gained insights into navigating civic and professional circles, tools to turn personal vision into community action, and a practical toolkit for leading effectively within their specific cultural and community contexts.
LEE is excited to announce our newest partner, Breakthrough Collaborative. Breakthrough Collaborative supports 25 affiliate regions to “expand educational opportunity by investing in both students and the future educator workforce.” LEE is honored to support the civic leadership development of Breakthrough alumni. “Membership in LEE is an invitation to co-design the future. Providing our leaders and Teaching Fellows with a network of this caliber—where they can engage, grow, and thought-partner—is an invaluable investment in our collective impact”
Angie Wedlick, CPO – Breakthrough Collaborative
LEE continues to look for new and meaningful ways to engage with members by working closely with our partners.
The Inspire Summit, held in Los Angeles, brought together 28 young adults from across the Alliance-College Ready Schools alumni community for a unique, high-impact program. Designed for 18-22 year olds, the summit sought to spark civic leadership exploration and provide concrete skills for college and career readiness. This empowering experience focused on building a meaningful network, activating authentic leadership, and equipping participants with relevant tools, ensuring they leave feeling confident and ready to achieve their goals.
Participants took the day to identify and connect their core values to life experiences, communicate their personal stories and values effectively across various contexts to engage with and build meaningful relationships within their professional and community networks, and explore pathways in civic leadership to drive change on the issues they care about.
Each fall, our partners at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools (one of our newest partners) host their annual Parent University. This event welcomes over 500 families and scholars to a day full of programming to support the college selection and application process. LEE was invited to host two workshops. Identifying Your Impact: Exploring Careers in Leadership and Turning Values Into Action.
Alliance families and LEE’s Director of Member Engagement, David Lopez.
LEE partnered with YES Prep to host the YES Prep Todos Families United summit. At the summit, families explored how their lived experiences could shape better decisions for their schools. This event brought together Houston-area charter networks for a day of learning, reflection, and crafting personal narratives.The summit focused on collective action, helping families understand that power comes from organizing people and resources to influence decisions, not from personality. By mapping the institutions and decision-makers involved in education, these family advocates transitioned from shared frustration to a clear plan for action. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how to build community power and a stronger connection to others committed to making a difference.
Please visit our Events page to see all the upcoming regional and national opportunities for members. If you have not yet set up your LEE account, you can do so here using a personal email address.
February 3: Application deadline Policy and Advocacy Summer Fellowship and Public Policy Fellowship
February 10: The Leaders We Need
If you have any upcoming events or opportunities you’d like highlighted in a future Partnership QuarterLEE, or you just want to get in touch, please feel free to email me at sarah.sandoval-mohapatra@wearelee.org.
We look forward to continuing this quarterly opportunity to collaborate, connect, and celebrate our work together.
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