The Frontera Leadership Institute is a three-month leadership program by LMNTS, sponsored by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. 

Discover your potential

☼ Brownsville, Texas

New transformative leaders start here.

Frontera Leadership Institute logo with a gold interconnected star design and bold white and gold text

We offer a free in-person leadership development program.

We empower individuals in Brownsville, Texas, to develop technology, product management, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills.

This immersive program will train you to think like a leader, start a business from scratch, and learn the fundamentals of product management.

Our program takes a heart-centered approach to business. You will learn how to collaborate, handle ambiguity, and gain the necessary people skills to run or manage a successful business.

This free program is sponsored by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation and facilitated by LMNTS.

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What to expect during Frontera Leadership Institute?

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People attending a conference or seminar, sitting at a table with microphones, water bottles, and notes, clapping and listening to a speaker.

Collaborative Teams

Participants are grouped into teams of 3-5  to combine their diverse skills and initiate a business from scratch.

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New skill development

Agile, lean, design, and Product Management skills, along with leadership training and entrepreneurship.

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Mentorship

Students work closely with mentors to develop projects that positively impact their community.

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Weekly Activities

Classes are held Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm from January to May 2026, with an 8-hour weekly commitment. This hybrid course alternates between in-person and online sessions every other week.

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Two women speaking at an event with a blue background that displays the texts 'eBridge', 'Center for Business and Commercialization', 'Brownsville Improvement', and 'Brownsville'. The woman on the left is holding a microphone and wearing a black blazer, while the woman on the right is waving and wearing glasses and a blue blazer.

Who Can Apply?

If you have at least one college semester of course credit and are between the ages of 18 and 26, you are eligible to apply and join our program. You do not have to be actively enrolled in College to apply.

Deadline to apply for the 2026 cohort is November 7, 2025.

Limited spots available.

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What our alumni are saying

  • A young woman with dark wavy hair smiling, wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and gold jewelry, standing against a light-colored background.

    Alondra Vela

    Class of 2024

    “I was able to learn how to work in a team, be able to know how to communicate and learn how to be leaders within a group without overpowering anyone or making anyone feel bad.”

  • A young man with glasses and dark hair smiling, wearing a colorful floral shirt, standing indoors with a window and a neon sign in the background.

    Martin Cuevas

    Class of 2024

    “This program has surrounded me with people who are like-minded in wanting to revitalize the community. This program has revitalized my spirit and my desire to want more for the people of the Valley.”

  • A woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses and a green blouse, smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.

    Karina Martinez

    Class of 2024

    “This program has reinforced my understanding of what I thought was good leadership and how it feels to be led by someone who understands good leadership.”

  • Professional man in a suit with glasses, smiling, against a plain gray background.

    Albert Juarez

    Class of 2025

    “This program helped me understand what it means to be a leader driven by heart rather than control. It opened my eyes to the potential within my team and showed me how we can grow, support one another, and prosper together.”

  • A woman with short, vibrant red hair, fair skin, and makeup with bold eyeliner and blush, wearing a beige sleeveless top, a black vest, a black tie, and jewelry including hoop earrings and layered necklaces, against a gray background.

    Angeline Rodriguez

    Class of 2025

    When I first joined, I thought it was just about business — but it became so much more. I was shy & introverted, but grew into a confident leader. I led fundraising projects, made meaningful connections, and learned that business isn’t just about money — it’s about having love and heart for your community.”

  • Portrait of a young man with dark hair, wearing a black turtleneck and blazer, in front of a blurred colorful background.

    Alan Salinas

    Class of 2024

    “Participating in the Frontera Leadership Institute gives me the hands-on experience I’d been searching for by tackling real-world problems, building solutions, and learning what it truly means to work as a Product Manager. You can study Product online, like I did. Still, Frontera taught me something deeper: how collaboration, communication, and a shared vision can transform an idea into a viable product and transform someone into a strong leader.”

FAQs

  • If you have at least one college semester of course credit and are between the ages of 18 and 26, you are eligible to apply and join our program. You do not have to be actively enrolled in College to apply.

    FLI is for emerging and mid-career individuals who want to lead projects, teams, or community initiatives with more clarity and confidence.

  • Product management is the practice of guiding a product from idea to launch and beyond, making sure it solves real customer problems and supports the organization’s goals.

    At Frontera Leadership Institute you will learn these foundations through practical work and collaboration, and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion.

  • FLI requires an 8-hour weekly commitment.

    Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from January to May 2026.

    This hybrid course alternates between in-person and online sessions every other week.

  • This program is free and open to the community, made possible through the sponsorship of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC).

    FLI directly supports BCIC’s Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029 by building the talent and industry pipeline for high-wage and primary jobs in Brownsville.