The Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (CNPAAEMI) in collaboration with the Society of Counseling Psychology is launching a Leadership Development Institute (LDI). The inaugural meeting will take place as a special preconference activity at the Biennial Conference of the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues - Division 45 of the American Psychological Association (http://www.div45conference.com/), May 24, 2012. Click here to access the Conference Information for CNPAAEMI. Link: http://www.div45conference.com/CNPAAEMI/index.html

The CNPAAEMI LDI aims to: (a) Create a mechanism for identifying and/or attracting racially and ethnically diverse psychologists and mental health professionals to become active participants in CNPAAEMI and its respective organizations; (b) Foster and support culturally grounded leadership skills among psychologists and mental health professionals that are transferable to multiple settings (e.g., families, work settings, professional organizations, neighborhoods communities, etc.); (c) Establish networking and sustainable coaching and mentoring opportunities to nurture ongoing leadership development; (e) Develop a model of multiracial and multiethnic coalition building to promote inter-organizational collaborations.

Over the course of a year, LDI fellows will have an opportunity to develop and implement a leadership plan that will benefit their respective associations with the assistance of a mentor. They will also develop a range of leadership skills including negotiating institutional/political systems, successfully bidding for leadership positions, networking and creating collaborative partnerships, and developing a leadership niche in the field.

CNPAAEMI LDI Planning Committee
Alvin Alvarez, Yolanda Garcia, Linda James Myers, Helen Neville, Margaret Smith-Zoeller, and Lisa Rey Thomas