Local community and business leaders gathered at Harry P. Leu Gardens on Sept. 7 to kick off Class 92 of Leadership Orlando. The intensive, nine-session course provides Central Floridians in the business community the opportunity for team-building and to develop their leadership skills in a group setting.<\/p>\n
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the group and spoke about how local leaders came together to unite the community after the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 12, 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cI truly believe that it\u2019s not what you do that defines you, but rather how you respond,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cElected officials, community leaders, interfaith leaders, LGBTQ organizations and citizens came together like never before. We stood united, sharing a message of love and acceptance, proving that hate will not win, and love will prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pulse nightclub shooting is considered the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident of violence against the LGBTQ community in modern U.S. history. The Pulse tragedy is also considered the deadliest terrorist attack in the United State since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.<\/p>\n
She called upon the group of Central Florida leaders to continue promoting a community of acceptance.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrlando and Orange County have made diversity one of our greatest strengths and the world is seeing that now,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cWe must continue to let our diversity shine and work toward a more embracing culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
In session one, class members discussed the effect and recovery from terrorist attacks that have occurred internationally. Leadership from the Central Florida Partnership hosted a panel discussion and John Gallagher, President of the Global Engagement Institute, examined the disruptive influences on communities around the world, specifically the Pulse tragedy\u2019s impact on Orlando.<\/p>\n
Leadership Orlando is a community leadership program that creates opportunities to observe, interact and learn from public, private and civic leaders across Central Florida.<\/p>\n
Orlando Police Chief John W. Mina, Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts President Katherine Ramsberger and Orlando City Soccer Club Founder and President Phil Rawlins, are among some of the graduates of Leadership Orlando.<\/p>\n