Jack O’Dell with Institute youth WELCOME! Create peace. Construct community. Strengthen democracy. Institute for Community Leadership Executive Director Dr. Roy Wilson and student Jabari LaChaux host Ambassador Andrew Young for Professional Development Colloquium with educators and administrators from secondary and higher education institutions Students interview with news reporters during a Cultural Leadership Exchange. Students and staff prepare for an Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement Seminar at the O’Dell Education Center in Kent, WA From left, Institute for Community Leadership Executive Director Dr. Roy D. Wilson, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Professor Edith Ariadna, and Institute for Community Leadership Government and External Affairs Director Dr. Karen L. Bohlke, at the twelfth annual Pedagogy Conference of the Americas. Totem welcoming at the Institute for Community Leadership’s Jack O’Dell Education Center with Quinault carver Randy Capoeman and members of the Quinault Nation. Institute Government and External Affairs Director Dr. Karen Bohlke with student delegates at the 10th annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage, Selma, Alabama. ICL students visit the state capital on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

From A Kitchen in the World House Book Cover

View our interactive cookbook From a Kitchen in the World House.

ICL students produced From a Kitchen in the World House cultural recipe exchange book entirely during COVID. The book project was organized by 30 students, representing 23 languages and 19 countries. They exchanged a cultural recipe from a grandparent or parent with another ICL student of a different race or nationality, cooked their partner’s recipe in their home, and served it to their family. They reflected on their experience in the writings enclosed. From a Kitchen highlights Dr. King’s World House concept that through science and technology our world has been brought together into a worldwide neighborhood; Dr. King calls us to turn this worldwide neighborhood into a brotherhood and sisterhood. Students share From a Kitchen in regular book readings and public events. From a Kitchen in a World House is available for purchase for $20. Please contact us to arrange a book reading or to purchase a book.

Our Mission

The Institute for Community Leadership assists individuals, schools, and organizations envision a more just nation and world, and develop and sustain the strength, discipline, leadership, relationships, and organizational integrity to bring that vision into reality.

Our Work

Professional Development

ICL produces professional development classes for educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, public servants, elected leadership and others through various classes, seminars, and guest lectures.

Youth Otherness

ICL’s youth programming dynamically engages youth in their society and empowers them towards academic, social, and professional achievement. Our culturally relevant and research-based curriculum directly addresses academic disparities and prepares youth for meaningful lives.

Community Leadership

ICL hosts vibrant community leadership events and seminars throughout the west coast region we serve. All community members—from youth to educator to administrator—are welcome to these relevant conversations. A strong community is at the core of the world’s development.

WE’RE HIRING!

Community Organizer/Leadership Coach

Join a personally-transforming effort to strengthen democracy. The Institute for Community Leadership brings best practices from our nation’s civil rights and organized labor movements to the forefront in community education, training, and practice. Learn from distinguished elected officials, civil rights luminaries, and local and national leaders. Create cultural exchanges to cities, towns, and Tribal Nations throughout the West Coast and the nation. Organize diverse leaders, educators, families and students.

Click here to view the job description and learn how to apply.

 

 

Latest Blogs

2022 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage

The Institute for Community Leadership is grateful to join Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland representing Washington's 10th Congressional District and Tacoma on the historic 2022 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage!
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Days of Gratitude

Forty of our youth leaders and staff came together last weekend to dig deep into understanding the myth of the Thanksgiving story and learn the truth about…
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Upcoming Days of Gratitude

Students and staff are getting ready to attend our annual "Days of Gratitude"--held during the Thanksgiving weekend--youth leaders, staff and guests will explore the deep connections of…
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To Be of Use

by Fynn Manohchompoo Common good or I feel good? You don’t put a band-aid on a broken leg. Hand you an ice pack when you’re bleeding out.…
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Leadership Poetry Workshop

We were honored to be invited to teach a leadership poetry workshop at LAMP Summer Program in Selma, where we met with high schoolers between the ages…
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Visiting Bloomhouse in East Palo Alto

Thanks Emerson Collective for inviting us to visit Bloomhouse to learn about innovative, community-led initiatives that engage EPA residents. Emerson Collective is committed to supporting communities through…
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Leadership Seminar Monica Wilson

Heartfelt gratitude to Vice Mayor Monica Wilson for joining our youth leaders and staff for an online leadership seminar. We discussed many issues including growing up with…
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Excerpts from hearing on HB 1267

See excerpts here from the hearing on HB 1267 in Senate Law & Justice Committee, March 15th, where ICL students speak on behalf of the bill. https://youtu.be/9i8RBUdQNh4
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Congresswoman Deb Haaland

President-Elect Joe Biden has announced the historic selection of Congresswoman Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior. Haaland will bring generations of First Nations experience, ethics and…
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Days of Gratitude

During our annual "Days of Gratitude"--held during the Thanksgiving weekend--youth leaders, staff and guests explored the deep connections of gratitude, self transformation and the creation of what…
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Shoulder the Vote!

Sohani (15 years old) -- "Getting out the vote is VITAL in order to change and improve the future of the society we live in and America…
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“We need the broadest—and the kindest, most generous--definition of what it is to be an American. One that encompasses and embraces all of us. One that we…
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Commitment March Reflections

Institute Board Member and team members David Gaines, George Conzuelo, and Malando Redeemer represented the Institute for Community Leadership today in Washington D.C. at the "Commitment March:…
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Thank you Councilmember Upthegrove!

The Institute for Community Leadership thanks King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove (District 5) for his generous support of ICL youth and family programming. Councilmember Upthegrove’s office and…
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ICL students in Selma, AL with Congressman John Lewis.

Donate

Why should you make a donation?

The Institute helps schools and educators serve more students well. We assist youth in developing their own vision for America, and teach them the academic and social skills necessary for their vision to come into reality.

What does your donation go towards?

Enabling educators, professionals, and young people to deeply engage in current events and in the study of contradictions in society that impact our lives on a day-to-day basis. Your donation may be directed to a specific project or activity. General organizational support is also appreciated.

Register to Vote Here!

Frequently asked questions

01.

Who do you work with?

Home based programming serves young people ages 14-24 of Washington State, with a focus on South Puget Sound.

04.

Can my child get involved?

Contact: The ICL classes and programs for students help our young people become part of this dialogue– and help them become part of the solution. Please contact: Dr. Nyla Rosen at 253 508 3250 or Nyla@icleadership.org

02.

Do you work with educators?

Yes we do! The Institute provides classes and professional development for educators in schools and districts across the United States. Professional development includes: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement, Teaching Democracy, Engaging individuals from diverse races, cultures, and economic stations, Personal transformation through social participation, Community-based intrinsic motivation: inspiring interconnection, self-confidence, and caring for others. We also coordinate with educators in school districts throughout Washington and California to nominates students for our classes and initiatives.

03.

How can I get involved?

Well, thanks for asking. You can call us at (253) 872-3612, join our email list by filling out the form at the bottom of the page, to keep up with events!

contact information

  • Education Center

    24833 180th Ave SE Kent, WA 98042

  • Office Numbers

    Phone: (253) 872-3612 | Fax: (425) 671-0998

  • Hours of Operation

    8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily

Contact us