Community Relationship Building & Common Ground

Rehumanizing first responders. Reconnecting communities.

At Core Leadership Academy, we believe leadership is not just about power or position—it’s about presence, connection and relationships. In today’s divided world, trust can’t be assumed. It must be built—intentionally, across lines of difference, in the places where it's been broken, by getting on common ground.

That’s why we created programs that bring first responders and civilians into the same room, to learn with and from each other. These public workshops are safe, skill-building spaces designed to humanize, not polarize.

Public Workshops: Shared Learning for Shared Humanity

These workshops aren't about who's right—they’re about how we show up together, even when we don’t agree.

Our open-access sessions are trauma-informed, inclusive, and grounded in tools that help:

  • Build psychological safety and trust between community members and service professionals

  • Practice empathy, feedback, values-based leadership, and emotional intelligence

  • Disrupt blame culture and replace it with curiosity and accountability

Procedural Justice & Police Legitimacy

This program is designed for both agencies and communities who want to co-create safer, more connected neighborhoods.

Led by veteran law enforcement leader Mitch McKinney, this training focuses on:

  • The four pillars of legitimacy: Voice, Neutrality, Fairness, and Trust

  • Real-life examples of how policy meets people

  • Practices to strengthen trust in public safety systems

Where We Show Up

We don’t shy away from hard spaces. We believe empathy, accountability, and courageous conversation are tools for cultural repair. We offer more than structured programs. We bring our work to:

  • Healing spaces after community trauma

  • Facilitated town halls and difficult dialogues

  • Leadership retreats for cities, schools, or service agencies

  • Places where re-humanization efforts are needed most

Let’s Build Something Better

If you're a public service leader, a community organizer, or a concerned neighbor—we're ready to work with you.

Together, we can:

  • Create safer spaces

  • Build resilient leaders and stronger communities

  • Strengthen the social fabric of your community

Reach out today to bring our common ground work to your department, agency, or town.