Who We Are

As a nonpartisan organization founded and led by black women driven by our lived experiences, The Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute provides a comprehensive approach to community based leadership in action. Through grassroots organizing, leadership development, and community education, BJLI strengthens the current generation of black leadership, recruits and prepares the next generation, and demonstrates our power by encouraging participation in the advocacy and the governing processes.



What We Stand For 

The Institute focuses on the following programmatic pillars to uplift and amplify community voices as well as advance health equity and economic justice:

  • Voter Education
  • Advocacy
  • Leadership Development

Mission and Vision

Our Mission

  • Increasing the diversity of leadership by training, mentoring, supporting, and empowering black communities.

Our Vision

  • Through a diversity of leadership, building fair, compassionate, healthy, prosperous and safe communities. 



“If the society today allows wrongs to go unchallenged, the impression is created that those wrongs have the approval of  the majority.”

- Hon. Barbara Jordan 

Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans.

- Hon. Barbara Jordan 

“What the people want is very simple - they want an America as good as its promise.” 

- Hon. Barbara Jordan