The New Leaders - Columbus

Humble Beginnings

Aug 18, 1999

The New Leaders Columbus, composed primarily of African- American professionals, has an ambitious plan to empower the community.


TNLC was created in the image of The New Leaders in Los Angeles, California. Co-Founder John Bryant, CEO and President of Operation Hope, gave five members the initial inspiration to start TNLC after having a dinner conversation. ?“ It became a burning desire from that moment on to bring young, African-American professionals together to act on John?’s proposal?” says W. Carlton Weddington, President and Co-founder.


On September 21st, 1998, a letter was received from William E. Yarbro, Jr., Executive Director of TNL. He wrote of Mr. Bryant?’s commitment to help us organize and provided us with an idea to bring other aspirants together. Organizational meetings began shortly thereafter to discuss the organizations mission and goals.


Our first event was historic. TNLC, a fledgling and no-nonsense- group held the first Mayoral forum with two major candidates in attendance at the OSU Community Extension Center on March 16th, 1999 with about 150 people present. TNLC, which came from humble beginnings, had pulled off a much anticipated and needed forum within the African-American community.


Since then The New Leaders Columbus has participated in several events, including the Juneteenth Celebration, African-American Summit, AIDS Dialogue and The African American Male National Conference hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina.