Representation Matters
Download MP3CCM'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
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
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
