Local Leaders, Global Impact: The Global Fellows Network

Since 1930, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation has been committed to developing leaders globally, realizing that change happens on a community level. By connecting local change agents, thought leaders and influencers, the Global Fellows Network empowers leaders to share ideas, resources, learnings and inspiration across borders, sectors and generations.

CLN3 class members are committed leaders who completed an 18-month leadership journey as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership. Graduating in March 2025, they transitioned into the WKKF Global Fellows Network — joining a vibrant community of over 1,200 change agents, thought leaders, and influencers across more than 40 countries who are working to make transformational change across the globe.

At the class three closing gathering in Detroit, Michigan, the fellows were welcomed into the Global Fellows Network by current members representing fellowship cohorts from South Africa, Michigan, New Mexico, and Latin America.

Afterwards, we sat down with Keith Plessy of New Orleans, Widad Luqman of Michigan, Micah Briggs of Mississippi and Jaqi Cornejo-Baldwin of New Mexico in a roundtable discussion on their understandings of global leadership and how participating in the Global Fellows Network will enhance their journey to being local leaders making global impact.

Can you please introduce yourself, your organization and the focus of your work?

Keith: My name is Keith Plessy, president and co-founder of the Plessy & Ferguson Initiative. I am the first cousin, three generations removed of Homer Plessy, the plaintiff in the monumental Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson.

Widad: I am Widad Luqman, I am a principal and director of early childhood in Manchester Community Schools. I am also the co-founder and CEO of a non-profit organization called Coding out of Poverty.

Micah: Micah O. Briggs, Senior. I am an educator at Capital City Alternative School in Jackson, MS. I serve a population of high-risk students who have been assigned long-term suspensions or expulsions. My focus is inspiring them to persevere and self-advocate while we team up to destroy the school-to-prison pipeline. I am also the CEO of Mind Over Barriers LLC, a consulting firm that creates empowering spaces for individuals and organizations who serve and offer support to high-risk students.

Jaqi: My name is Jaqi Cornejo-Baldwin. I am the founder and executive director of Siembra Charter High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving primarily students of color. We focus on social justice and entrepreneurship through a three pillar model of project-based learning, student support and community engagement.

How does being a globally-minded leader support your community and your effectiveness as a leader?

Widad: Communities are not supposed to be siloed. When we think about community, we need to think about it as a whole. The global stage is made up of all these smaller communities. When you connect on a global level, you’re looking at a process of infinite learning of other people, cultures, thoughts and ideas.

A global perspective is not only a perk, but an absolute necessity. If you don’t allow for that type of learning to happen, and you don’t connect on a broader level, it’s a disservice to you, and a disservice to the growing minds coming up after you.

Keith: When you think about America, we are a country of immigrants. We are connected to communities all over the world. In many ways, to identify our own lineage, we have to understand these other countries to define who we are right here in America.

Jaqi: Being in New Mexico, and knowing that we live with this backdrop of richness, language, culture and history, but to also be so impoverished and being the worst in education, child welfare and poverty, it feels like we’ve always been trying to fit into this model that was never made for us.

We are working to fit into this very individualistic, very oppressive model and reject our own cultures. It starts to feel like a cheese grater on our souls. Being globally minded helps me to help my students develop a sense of themselves that aligns with who they are and really honors all their pieces.

Micah: Being a globally connecting leader creates an inexhaustible energizer battery of empathy for others. When I am exposed to the pain that comes from different locations and diverse cultures, it nullifies some of the sting of trauma I’ve experienced individually and within my community. The global mindset also helps me see my blind spots of bias. I gain a broader and more authentic perspective of our shared pain and struggles, and the need for unity through collaborative efforts. Participating in shared experiences gives us all a shared purpose. I walk away with an understanding that I’m not alone in my suffering, so I don’t have to be alone in creating solutions.

How will being a part of the Global Fellows Network support your future goals?

Widad: I grew up viewing myself as a global citizen. I lived in Yemen, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia because my dad was in the military. Joining this network will engage me with other global citizens, and give us the opportunity to really “brain smash” and figure out ways to embrace and empower one another.

Keith: Being part of a Global Fellows Network will be productive for our future goals within the organization by connecting our vision with other organizations around the world. Many international partners have been interested in coming to America to find out how we are working on reconciliation because we flip the script on Plessy versus Ferguson. Our organization is Plessy and Ferguson. We look forward to learning from them as well.

Jaqi: I’m really looking forward to being part of the Global Fellows Network because my kids deserve the world, and being connected to a worldwide network of leaders will help me to connect with likeminded people, find innovative solutions, bring resources and relationships to the school and offer opportunities to the kids.

Micah: I see being a part of the Global Fellows Network as a radical conduit that can help me plug in and connect to other power sources. I see this as an opportunity to open myself up to the diverse cultures, experiences, resources, and obstacles faced by others in the network.

I believe the WKKF Global Fellows Network is one big amazing pot of gumbo that I am privileged to bring some flavor to, gain nourishment from, and ultimately serve alongside so that we can fight for and collectively empower children.