SC
Sam Cornwell
Co-founder
Our story — since 1995
CLF was built by couples who wanted something they couldn't find — a community where faith, marriage, and leadership grew together.
Years of impact
Couples who've participated
Classes since 1995
The idea behind CLF grew out of the desire of four men — Sam Cornwell, Steady Cash, Don Wrigley, and Bud Carrier — to help younger men grow in their relationship with God and in their effectiveness as leaders in their families, churches, and communities.
These four friends, all in their 50s and 60s, had been meeting weekly for over 20 years, sharing their lives with one another. During those years together, they often discussed their concern for young family men caught in the middle of competing demands on their time and resources.
That question became CLF. In 1995, the Charlotte Leadership Forum welcomed its first cohort.
Four friends launch the Charlotte Leadership Forum with a small cohort of young married couples, focused on purpose, faith, and leadership development.
The women's portion of the experience grows well beyond the original vision — with its own retreats, mentoring, and community that stand as a full complement to the men's track.
CLF's legacy continues through volunteer alumni leaders who now shepherd the experience — a testament to the depth of impact on those who've been through it.
The ministry rebrands from "Charlotte Leadership Forum" to "CLF," creating the foundation to carry this experience into new cities and communities.
CLF is carried forward by people who believe in the mission. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.