The City of Asheville Commends Findlay House Global for Advancing Community Leadership Among Asheville’s Historically Disadvantaged Communities

The City of Asheville has formally recognized Findlay House Global (FHG) for its outstanding work in co-designing and delivering the OUR AVL Community Engagement Leadership Academy. This transformative six-week program equips community leaders—particularly from historically disadvantaged communities—with the skills to drive meaningful civic engagement and social change.

In November 2023, FHG partnered with the City’s Communications and Public Engagement Department to co-design and facilitate the academy—based on FHG’s O.U.R. Development™ program—across two cohorts.

The program not only provided hands-on training in leadership, advocacy, and public participation but also established a pipeline of paid Community Connectors, ensuring sustainable engagement between city officials and underrepresented stakeholders.

FHG’s strategic facilitation and commitment to people-centered leadership ensured the academy’s success, leading to its adoption as a permanent initiative in Asheville’s operations.