Transforming Urban Leaders
Developing 21st Century Leaders to Serve the City

Founded in 2022, Hope for the City: Transforming Urban Leaders (TUL) is a flagship initiative of the Baltimore Institute for Urban Leadership. A leadership development initiative based in Baltimore, Maryland, TUL addresses the need and opportunity to provide transformational leadership development for clergy and laity serving in urban ministry contexts. The initiative is rooted in the belief that highly developed, skilled leaders are essential to the vitality of both churches and communities, and that leadership development must be intentionally tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges of urban ministry.

TUL is focused on providing contextualized leadership development for leaders serving in churches, nonprofits, and community organizations throughout Baltimore and beyond. In addition to foundational leadership competencies, the TUL training model addresses issues particularly relevant to urban ministry and leadership, such as trauma-informed and resilience-focused leadership, community engagement, and collaborative leadership.

Through a cohort-based learning experience, participants engage with experienced scholar-practitioners, explore issues unique to urban ministry, and build meaningful relationships with peers who share a commitment to serving their communities. Whether you serve in a congregation, nonprofit organization, community ministry, or organization, TUL offers an opportunity to strengthen your leadership, expand your perspective, and gain practical transformational leadership skills that will enhance your effectiveness and deepen your impact.