Change Center Knoxville Launches Leadership Program for Ages 21 to 40

The Apex leadership program, an initiative of the Change Center, has named a pilot cohort. Apex is a robust six-month leadership program created to train, mentor, and retain Knoxville's best and brightest young, emerging leaders from under-represented communities. This program is geared toward adults ages 21-40 to ensure a rich talent pipeline of professionals who are next generation thought leaders for the community. The 2025 program will launch in March and run through August. Skill-building, confidence-building, and character-building sessions will be provided by iconic leaders. Program content will focus on five core leadership values: self leadership, family leadership, community leadership, cross-cultural leadership, and global leadership. Apex is commonly defined as the highest point or peak.

Apex alum who are eligible and interested, will also be invited to enroll in the Johnson University Ethics and Leadership master’s degree program (2025-26 cohort). The MAEL program began in 2020. The program’s fifth cohort will graduate in May. Created by Johnson University to equip graduate students to become effective leaders who lead with integrity in a variety of contexts, the 30-hour program takes both an internal look at personal leadership motivation and an external consideration of leadership for the common good. Johnson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor, master, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees.

The following leaders have been named to the inaugural Apex cohort.

Chania Arnold, Jamea Beach, Kiara Blain, Xavier Bridges, Domonica Bryan, Kwambe Bullard, Tiffany Davidson, Chavez Golden, Amir Gray, Michael Johnson, Jalen Jones, Markies Jordan, Jenae Mitikke, Kiandra Mercer, Janea Peterson, Porschia Pickett, Tristants Simpson, Starlandria Starks, Danielle Washington, and Travis Williams.

A “Wisdom Council” comprised of highly respected thought leaders offers guidance to the Apex program. It includes Dr. Craig Pickett, Denise Dean, Phyllis Nichols, Ronni Chandler, Dr. Tyvi Small, Clarence Vaughn, Angela Conner, Joel Smith, Nikitia Thompson, Renee Kesler, Tanisha Baker, Kimberly Watkins, and Pastor Daryl Arnold.

The Apex experience will culminate in a graduation celebration gala in September. Stay tuned for ticket information.