Migrant and Refugee Leadership Academy

Empowering New Americans to Lead

As part of our mission to stand with refugees and migrants, LIRS works to empower refugees and LIRS network partners to engage in advocacy on both local and national levels.

Each year, LIRS hosts the Migrant & Refugee Leadership Academy (MRLA), an event dedicated to equipping refugees and migrants with basic advocacy training, media training, and the tools to tell their own unique story. Participants come away from the event as “alumni” and go on to become leaders and advocates in their local communities.

The MRLA network now comprises 297 migrant and refugee community leaders in 39 states across the country and represents nearly 50 different countries of origin.

Many of our MRLA alumni are now a part of the LIRS Speakers Bureau.