Ribbon Cutting: LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute

Description

The LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute (LRLI) will celebrate its official ribbon cutting on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at 520 Seneca Street, Utica, New York 13502. 

The ribbon cutting marks an important milestone for the LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute and introduces a new community resource dedicated to leadership development, personal growth, professional advancement, and culturally responsive support. 

About the LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute 

Founded by Joniquia R. Morgan, the LaVell Robinson Leadership Institute was established to cultivate confident, culturally grounded, and purpose-driven leaders, with a particular commitment to empowering Black men and women ages 18–35. 

The Institute recognizes that leadership development does not occur separately from a person’s identity, culture, community, and lived experiences. LRLI was created to provide an environment where emerging Black leaders can strengthen their leadership identity while developing the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills necessary to successfully navigate educational, professional, and predominantly white spaces. 

The Institute’s signature programming centers the experiences and leadership development needs of Black emerging adults while also welcoming opportunities to collaborate with educational institutions, employers, businesses, government and human-service agencies, workforce development programs, reentry programs, and community organizations. 

Guided by its motto, “See it. Believe it. Become it.”, LRLI encourages individuals to see the possibilities available to them, believe in their ability and right to occupy leadership spaces, and develop the tools necessary to become the leaders they envision themselves to be.

 Programming addresses areas including leadership development, cultural identity, belonging, self-efficacy, professional navigation, resilience, goal development, confidence, and strategies for navigating systemic and institutional barriers. 

LRLI is a leadership development and coaching organization and is not a mental health treatment or therapy provider. Its services are designed to support personal, educational, and professional development and are not intended to replace behavioral or mental health treatment when those services are needed. 

Programs and services will include individual leadership coaching, group-based leadership development, workshops and seminars, cohort-based programming, and organizational and educational partnerships.