Twenty emerging leaders step forward during this year's Community Leadership Institute Graduation

On May 9th at Seattle City Hall, Puget Sound Sage celebrated the latest graduating cohort of 20 fellows from the Community Leadership Institute (CLI), our 6-month leadership development program that trains and places emerging leaders of color to serve on local boards and commissions. The featured an Elected Bench panel discussion with Deputy Mayor of Woodinville James Randolph, Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, and Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember William Paige Jr., highlighting ways they have remained accountable to the communities they serve, and State Representative Osman Salahuddin of the 48th Legislative District delivered the keynote address. 

Two graduates shared what the CLI meant to them in their speeches:

“Often in the rooms we’re a part of we’re seen for our differences and not our similarities, and when we come to CLI we get to see our similarities. We’re not seen as our demographic or our socioeconomic status, but as a group of people who wants to create a better change for our world. We all come humbly and ready to learn, and ready to serve our communities.” - Remin Basha, CLI Fellow 2025-26

“CLI has helped create a community of leaders through good food and genuine connection, and that’s one of the magic ingredients in this great mystery that we’re all part of: community. I have no doubt that every single one of my fellow graduates will be more impactful leaders and community builders because of this program.” - Marqué Love, CLI Fellow 2025-26