Leadership Institute

Tampa Organization of Black Affairs

About the Leadership Institute

The mission of the TOBA Leadership Institute is to inspire, empower, and prepare a new generation of leaders that can improve the black communities by focusing on an agenda that includes Political Action, Innovation, Community & Economic Development.

The vision of the TOBA Leadership Institute is to become a top producer of innovative business and community leaders who are focused on building and developing sustainable black communities in the Tampa Bay area.

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2022

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2021

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2020

Gary Hartfield, Chair

Kari Knowles, Program Director

Rhiannon Ray, Committee Member

Jalem Robinson, Committee Member

Rhiannon Ray, Committee Member

TreBora Morales, Committee Member

Rickey Burns, Committee Member

C.T. Harris, Committee Member

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2020

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2021

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2022

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2023

TOBA Leadership Cohort 2024

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Join the TOBA Leadership Institute

Benefits of the Institute Include:

Professional Development
Leadership Training
Community Engagement
Networking Opportunities
Historical Insight on the Communities of Black Tampa

Program Timeline

The application will be open from December 11^th – January 22^nd
This institute requires a 4-month commitment, with meetings held bi-weekly from February 2024 – June 2024 with additional events throughout the year.
See application for mandatory dates
Application Deadline is Monday, January 22, 2024

Application Information

Once selected, each participant will be required to pay a tuition fee of $150.00 by the first session in late February 2024. Please email TOBA at info@tobanetwork.org should you have any questions.

To graduate from the TOBA Leadership Institute program, participants are expected to attend all sessions (one excused absence is allowed). Having more than two unexcused absences will disqualify you from graduating from the program.

Attendance at the opening briefing sessions and final project presentations are mandatory to graduate. Participants with two unexcused absences will be dropped from the program without a refund of tuition.

A non-refundable processing fee of $40 is required with all applications and must be submitted online. The processing fee is payable via credit card at the end of the application.

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2023 TOBA Leadership Institute Final Project Presentations

Watch video highlights from our 2023 Cohort presentations.

Testimonials

"The TLI experience has been an eye-opening and empowering experience. It has taken leadership to another level providing opportunities to strengthen and support the needs of the Tampa Bay African American Community. I am forever grateful for the privilege and look forward to the opportunity to further serve the Tampa Bay Community."

"The TOBA Leadership Institute renewed my self confidence and brought clarity to my vision of what leadership in Tampa looks like. It enabled me to better understand how leadership requires being an accountable and reliable resource to my community."

"The TOBA Leadership Institute empowered me to seek ways to make positive change in my personal and professional life. Each week was filled with amazing speakers and information that I use daily."

Tampa Organization of Black Affairs