The City of Tulsa is rolling out the welcome mat for its third installment of the Neighborhood Academy, geared towards empowering local residents and neighborhood associations with the tools to improve their communities, as reported by the City of Tulsa. Since the program's inception in October 2024, it has seen a surge in participation from Tulsa's community leaders and common residents alike, with 56 individuals already having completed the training.
More than 200 residents have signed up for the academy, and many have already completed parts of the program. Those who finish all three interactive workshops will receive a neighborhood leader certificate from the City Council and the Mayor’s Office. The workshops teach practical skills, like identifying neighborhood strengths, organizing volunteers, and using the Neighborhood Conditions Index Report to help improve local communities, according to the City of Tulsa.
According to Charles Cook in a statement obtained by the City of Tulsa, "Neighborhood Academy was a great experience. I learned a lot and believe the program will bring progress for Tulsa." Emphasizing the efficacy of the program, Cook reflects the enthusiastic sentiment surrounding the program as it heads into its third cohort with eyes towards garnering additional interest and fostering further community engagement.
Ahead of the New Year, there's already a ceremonial moment on the books for 47 participants set to formally graduate through the second cohort. The graduations are taking place at City Council meetings scheduled on January 14 and January 21, 2026, gesturing towards a celebratory kickoff to the year for local initiatives. Kellie Pendleton shared her experience with the City of Tulsa, "The Neighborhood Academy provides knowledge, insight, and networking opportunities. I now have the knowledge and support needed to create a Neighborhood Association within my neighborhood. Thank you, City of Tulsa for caring about local neighborhoods."
