How does one become a leader in the community when formal education only provides part of the story surrounding some of the most critical political issues of our time: from income inequality to affordable housing, to understanding the valley’s political history and structural power? There are few courses in college that touch on these critical issues and if they are discussed at all, it is only at a vague distance that offers little clarity. Luckily, Working Partnerships offers a much needed nuanced and deep view of these very issues through their Leadership Institute.
The Working Partnerships Leadership Institute is a leadership course that brings together twenty progressive Silicon Valley leaders from different communities, issue areas, and sectors. Participants hear from leading thinkers and learn from the diverse experiences that their peers bring to the table thereby providing a more instructive manner at looking at some of critical issues of our time.
During my time in the course the atmosphere in the room was palpable! The passion shared from all those in attendance combined by the teachings, created an environment where anything was possible; where some of the tough issues of our time were at least for a moment felt solvable! For me, it provided the first real glimpse of just how intelligent and passionate people are in Silicon Valley. Nowhere else have I seen such an inclusive program that seeks to empower the participants to literally go out and change the world!
No other course has encouraged the participants to actually go out and apply what they have learned; to take the information they learn and use it as the lens that focusses their perspective of the world, to go out there and make it a better and just place for all, especially the disenfranchised.
Sergio Jimenez is an investigator with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office and a community activist.
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