CCM's Free Two-Day Training will Teach Communities of Color the Fundamentals to Run for Public Office and Discuss the Benefits of Civic Participation!
Day One: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Register Here for Day 1
The Campaign School at Yale will examine the ins and outs of developing and running a campaign, featuring a national panel of elected officials. This session will provide a foundation and skillset for launch as community leaders.
AGENDA
10:00 a.m.: WELCOME!
Ron Thomas, CCM
10:15 a.m.: Session I: Making the Decision to Run, Run a Campaign, Lead in your Community.
Patti Russo, Executive Director
11:30 a.m.: Session II: Finding Your Voice, Making it Matter,
Gilda Bonnano, TCSYale faculty
12:30 p.m.: Session III: Effective Networking Techniques,
Patti Russo, Executive Director
1:00 p.m.: Session IV: How TCSYale Transformed my life: Hear from TCSYale alumnae leading locally as they share their individual political paths, and how TCSYale skewed them for success.
Moderated by Patti Russo, Executive Director
Panelists:
YT Bell, Councilwoman, City of Clarkston, GA
Jacqueline Cabrera, Zoning Board Commissioner, City of Danbury, CT
Gabriela Koc, Board of Education member, City of Stamford, CT
Jason Nova, Special Assistant to Mayor Roberto Alves of Danbury, CT
Wendy Tyson Wood, President, NAACP of Greater Waterbury, CT
1:45 p.m.: Session V: Wrap Up/Next Steps: Where do I go from here?
Patti Russo, Executive Director
Day Two: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Register Here for Day 2
Day Two includes presentations from and conversations with individuals with varying state and local government backgrounds.
AGENDA
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Welcome
Joe Delong, CEO of CCM
Patrice McCarthy, Executive Director, CABE
Thea Montanez, Senior Advisor, Office of Governor Ned Lamont
10:15 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.: Why Representation Matters in Local Government
Secretary of the State of CT, Stephanie Thomas
11:05 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.: Break
11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.: Getting Involved in Politics and Seeking Elective Office
Moderated by Patrice McCarthy, Executive Director, CABE
Darrell Harris, Easton Republican Town Committee Chair
Tijal Ballam, Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee Chair
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Poet Laureate Performance
Manchester Poet Laureate, Nadia Sims
11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.: Lunch Break
12:10 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Municipal Governance 101
Roberto Alves, Mayor of Danbury
Danielle Wong, Mayor of Bloomfield
1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.: 50/50 Campaign, Best Practice Sharing to Ensure Gender Equity and Racial Diversity on Local Boards and Commissions
Tiffany Young, YWCA Hartford Region
1:20 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.: Break
1:25 p.m. –2:45 p.m.: Panel of Seasoned Local Experts Sharing Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Leadership
Moderated by Melvette Hill, Executive Director of the CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity
Panelists:
Aidee Nieves, Council President, Bridgeport
Nuchette Black-Burke, Mayor of Windsor
Rose Reyes, Councilmember, Windham
Caroline Tanbee Smith, Alder Ward 9, New Haven
Leonard Lockhart, Board of Education Member, Windsor
Jarrell Hargraves, Councilmember, New Britain
2:45 p.m. –3 p.m.: CCM Closing Remarks
