On October 20, 2021, CMBG3 attorneys David Goldman and Seta Accaoui graduated from Leadership Rhode Island’s 2021 Class after a 10-month journey with 73 other diverse leaders from all sectors of Rhode Island’s government, law enforcement, public interest, legal, business, and healthcare sectors.  They now join an alumni group consisting of a legacy of leaders committed to reshaping Rhode Island. As the organization notes:  “Each year, Leadership Rhode Island selects a diverse group of established and emerging leaders to participate in an experiential community leadership program framed around statewide issues. Class members engage in shared experiences, events, socials, community engaged projects, strengths-based coaching, and individual learning opportunities.”

The class theme for this year’s core program was “more questions than answers” as class members explored and tackled complex issues from a firsthand look of an array of state matters, and met with several experts, advocates, policy makers and government officials to discuss these matters in the areas of healthcare, basic needs, economics, housing, education, national defense, crime and incarceration and the fine arts. Upon graduating, David and Seta both committed to group projects and a social contract. David’s team will continue to help guide the redevelopment of 25 Bough Street in the  Olneyville section of Providence, while Seta and her group will be working on sponsoring a family from the Soujourner House, a non-profit organization that is a provider of comprehensive services available to victims of domestic and sexual violence. They are also working with CrossRoads RI, a leading provider of housing and homeless services to the most vulnerable people in this state, to ensure their basic needs are met and to assist them with their advocacy for more funding for additional housing. Lastly, they are putting their leadership skills to work and prepared a letter signed by many members of their classmates, calling on state officials to release the funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help Rhode Island citizens as they emerge from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as funding is not reaching the people and organizations who need it the most.

As for their social contracts, David Goldman and Seta Accaoui are mentoring students of Central Falls High School’s Civics and Law class given their interests in pursuing a legal career. They have also established a $5,000 scholarship contest funded by CMBG3 Law’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee for these students. David and Seta will continue working on their group projects and social contracts, as well as staying connected and active with their Leadership Rhode Island alums to continue giving back to these communities in need. In addition to the community and civic engagements David and Seta took on, they also developed lifelong relationships with these individuals they have met through this program. Congratulations to David and Seta on this great accomplishment.