Empowering Local Leaders to Build a Healthier Berrien County
Be Healthy Berrien and Corewell Health created the Community Leadership Academy to support resident led health solutions across Berrien County. Supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund through a grant to United Way of Southwest Michigan, the Academy strengthens community-driven policy and systems change.
About the Community Leadership Academy
What the Academy Is
A 12 week, project-based leadership development program designed to equip residents—especially those from historically excluded neighborhoods to lead initiatives that address local priorities like food access, physical activity, and community safety.
Why It Matters
Community health assessments highlight a need for more opportunities to connect, organize, and lead. The Academy offers knowledge, structure, and support for residents to turn ideas into meaningful action that strengthens neighborhoods and improves well-being.
From Learning to Leadership: Community Improvement in Action
The 2025 Academy cohort is putting their skills to work—turning learning into real community impact. Check out the video below to see how their Community Improvement Project: 2026 Youth Gun Violence Summit is taking shape, and how residents are stepping forward to lead change where it matters most.
Accepting Cohort 2 Applications
Are you ready to lead positive change in your community? Cohort 2 of the Community Leadership Academy is launching in Niles, Niles Charter Township, and Buchanan, Michigan, and we’re looking for passionate residents who want to learn, collaborate, and make an impact. This cohort is designed for residents living in the 49120 and 49017 ZIP codes, but the work aims to strengthen the entire region by building a network of local leaders.
Program Details
- Weekly Sessions: Thursday evenings
- Location: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – Niles
- Meals Provided: Dinner included, childcare stipends available.
Who Should Apply
We’re seeking Niles, Niles Charter Township, and Buchanan residents who are:
- 18 years or older
- Passionate about their community
- Ready to learn, share your voice, and grow as a leader
- Have access to a computer and feel comfortable using it for the program
If you’re committed to understanding community challenges and helping build solutions that improve quality of life, the Community Leadership Academy is for you. Apply today below!
Application and Program Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Deadline | Ongoing through April |
| Virtual Interview | Ongoing through April |
| Program Begins | Thursday April 30, 2026 |
| Program Concludes | Mid July, 2026 |
| Community Celebration | End of July, 2026 |
How to Apply
- Apply online (Google Forms) or submit the application (Word / PDF) by email to behealthyberrien@gmail.com.
- Deadline: Ongoing through April.
- Selected applicants will be invited to a brief virtual interview.
- Participants will be notified following their interview.
View the Academy flyer (PDF) and help us spread the word. Have questions? Contact us at behealthyberrien@gmail.com.
Inaugural Cohort Launch — Fall 2025
The first cohort launched on September 17, 2025, at the Corewell Health Center for Wellness in Benton Harbor. Twelve committed residents began a journey of learning, collaboration, and hands on leadership.
Program Learning Journey
Participants explored the building blocks of community health, including:
- Environmental and social influences
- Walkability and neighborhood design
- Food systems and nutrition access
- Community Improvement Project (CIP) planning
- Strategies for engaging decision makers
From Learning to Leadership: Community Improvement Project
Each cohort completes a Community Improvement Project (CIP), participants identified youth gun violence as a top priority in Benton Harbor. Their CIP has since grown into a resident led action plan guiding the Youth Gun Violence Prevention Summit on June 26, 2026—a powerful example of how community leadership drives meaningful change.
The inaugural cohort graduated in December 2025, celebrating months of learning, relationship building, and action planning. Graduates continue to advance this work through:
- Collaborating with community partners and fellow residents
- Taking on leadership roles in shaping the Youth Summit
- Advancing their Community Improvement Project Action Plan
Get Involved and Support the Benton Harbor Cohort
Connect your organization, volunteer, or explore opportunities with the Benton Harbor Cohort as they prepare for the June 26 Youth Gun Violence Summit. To learn how you can support this work, contact Brittney Gathing at brittneygathing@gmail.com.
Voices from the Academy
“This experience gave me the tools and skills to make a real difference. We’re not just talking about change; we’re creating it together,” said Cori Burton, Community Leadership Academy participant.
“The Academy is more than a program; it’s an investment in people. These graduates are helping shape the future of Benton Harbor,” said Dr. LaToya Mason, steering committee member and Dean of Health Sciences at Lake Michigan College.
The Community Leadership Academy is an investment in people—and the power of residents to create real change. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Berrien County.
