By the Numbers | Arriell Gipson Martin | Partnership Updates | Partners in Action | Upcoming Events
LEE closed out the second quarter of 2026 with more than 76,510 members and 26 partners. This includes:
New members registered with LEE in Q2
Newly engaged members
LEE members have registered to run for office
With the Connector Program for Shelby County Government, New Memphis-LEE member Arriell Gipson Martin, leads a people-centered initiative that connects residents to resources such as recovery support, small business help, housing, food assistance, and healthcare. By looking through the lens of the Social Drivers of Health, the program helps people not only find the services they need but also creates pathways for local government to listen better and respond faster.
“Every conversation, every policy recommendation, and every data point is about one thing—building trust between people and the systems meant to serve them while improving overall quality of life,” Arriell said. “Through Community Conversations, the Community Needs Survey, and our Shape Shelby initiative, we turn community concerns into empowered solutions. The Connector Program has become a bridge between residents, partners, and policy—reminding us that when government is easier to understand, it becomes easier to access.”
Through this work, she said, Arriell has helped create a new rhythm of engagement that makes government more approachable and human. “For me, public service is about doing work that outlives the meeting notes,” she added.
“I was drawn to [LEE] resources that connect leadership to action such as coaching circles, policy fellowships, and opportunities to learn from others who lead with both heart and clarity,” she added. “I wanted to be in community with thinkers and doers who understand that leadership is not about perfection, but about presence.”
Arriell said that LEE has been a deep well of growth for her. Since joining, she has completed a national coaching circle that helped refine how to navigate complexity and build teams rooted in trust. She attended the Courageous Leadership Summit, where she proudly took first place for the highest engagement in the cohort.
“I immersed myself in the Gathering of Leaders, focusing on intentional practices of rest and renewal,” she said. “And right here in Memphis, I have supported several LEE activities in partnership with New Memphis, an organization I am proud to call home as an alumna.”
“LEE has helped me lead with both courage and curiosity,” she added. “It has reminded me that data tells stories, that policy can be personal, and that impact starts long before a title ever does. Through this community, I have learned to balance strategy with soul and vision with action. LEE continues to be a mirror, showing me not only how far I have come, but how much further I can go in service to others.”
We are thrilled to welcome two new partners to LEE: Surge Institute and Aspire Public Schools.
The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities. Surge addresses issues of race and class in urban education through leadership advancement, technical assistance, and advocacy.
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to empowering scholars to reach their highest potential. Their core mission is to provide a rigorous and joyful academic experience, foster inclusivity by disrupting historical systems of oppression, and nurture each scholar’s pride in their unique abilities, identities, and communities.
LEE Members at the Courageous Leadership Conference
LEE continues to look for new and meaningful ways to engage with members through our partnerships.
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.
August 26, 2026: Know Your Values, Navigate the Tension: August Workshop
August 27, 2026: Policy Advisor Fellowship Host Applications Due
September 3, 2026: Policy Advisor Fellowship Applications Due
The PAF is a virtual 10-week, part-time fellowship for emerging leaders who want to gain hands-on policy experience while continuing to work or attend school. Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on a real policy project with a host organization.
September 15, 2026: Statewide Office: Leadership Exploration Series
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.
Sarah Sandoval-Mohapatra
Senior Director, Partnerships
(202) 734-3716
800 N. King Street,
Suite 304 – 4181,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
