Inaugural SCAG Future Leaders Cohort Finishes Six-Month Civic Leadership Program
Earlier today, SCAG concluded the first cohort of the Future Leaders Initiative, a six-month program offering hands-on learning, mentorship, and engagement with planners, staff, and local leaders to prepare young people for roles in regional government work. The last meeting took place on June 17 at SCAG’s Downtown Los Angeles office.
The SCAG Future Leaders Initiative is designed for young Southern Californians interested in learning how regional and local governments collaborate to achieve long-term change and prepare the next generation to shape the future of the region. This civic leadership pilot program comprised a highly competitive and diverse cohort of 24 emerging leaders, chosen from more than 200 applicants from across the region. The large number of applicants demonstrated strong demand for accessible civic leadership and planning opportunities for young Southern California leaders.
Following the inaugural meeting in January 2026, participants met virtually every month for sessions led by regional experts, community leaders, and SCAG staff to explore planning, policy, collaboration, and advocacy. Each session aimed to deepen the cohort’s understanding of regional planning and advocacy while building analysis and practical skills to help shape their communities. Participants also contributed to the development of the region’s next long-term plan, the Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
The sixth and final session on June 17 was a celebratory occasion, featuring speakers, reflections from participants, and presentations of certificates.
The session also featured a hands-on planning activity led by James Rojas, an urban planner, community activist, artist, and founder of Place It!, who developed an innovative method of community engagement using art and found objects. At its core, Place It! engages people in urban planning, transportation, design, landscape, and neighborhood change through their hands and senses so that they can be creative and expansive in their thinking and propose real solutions to the challenges facing their cities and neighborhoods. The session also included lunch coordinated by Inclusive Action for the City's catering curriculum cohort, a capacity-building program designed to support the growth of small food business owners, including street vendors, restaurants, and catering businesses.
By convening young adults from historically underrepresented communities and creating meaningful and accessible pathways into civic leadership, the program strengthened SCAG’s commitment to equity, expanded regional partnerships, and helped build the next generation of community voices and planning leaders for Southern California. SCAG is looking forward to continuing the program with recruitment for a second cohort, expected to begin in fall 2026.