As powerful stakeholders in our communities, architects, planners, and allied decision-makers for the built environment have a unique responsibility to engage with and advocate for the public. Through collaboration with AIANY and nycoba|NOMA, The Civic Leadership Program develops a class of emerging professionals into civic leaders by refining the critical skills that design professionals need to better represent the people they serve. The CLP provides opportunities to interface with municipal agencies, community development organizations, and local stakeholders, encouraging participants to find their own voice and choose topics to explore through development sessions, leading to organizing a public event where they will engage with the profession and the general public. By increasing architects� connections to their communities, developing their advocacy capacities, and supporting their pursuit of public service in elected or appointed office, cohort members learn to improve their community outreach and public relations skills, strengthening a culture of advocacy. The seminar will introduce the Civic Leadership Program by guiding attendees through the program agenda, sessions and public events, followed by a panel of AIANY and nycoba|NOMA leadership to discuss alumni experiences, post-graduation trajectories, and lessons on advocacy, organizing and community engagement.