The 2026-27 nine-month Leadership Tuscaloosa class has been announced. The 48 members of the new class come from a cross-section of Tuscaloosa community leaders intent on making Tuscaloosa a better place to live, work, and play through civic engagement.

 

According to the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's website, "Participants gain increased knowledge of the area's economic, social, historical, and political issues and needs. Leadership Tuscaloosa intends to provide a foundation of knowledge that potential leaders can use to aid their involvement and success in community endeavors."

 

Each class has monthly sessions from September to April, with a graduation ceremony in May.

 

Tuscaloosa Thread logo
Get our free mobile app

 

Presented by Shelton State Community College and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the applicants selected for the new class are:

  • Andrea Armstrong, JamisonMoneyFarmer PC
  • Chandler Bailey, BFGoodrich
  • Nick Baldelli-Boggs, United Way of West Alabama
  • Demetrius Barksdale, The University of Alabama
  • ChiAndrea Barnes, Tuscaloosa Area Career Center
  • Erica Bettis, Doxa Care LLC
  • Robins Bonner, The Westerfield Club
  • Carlye Chalmers, DCH Health System
  • Que Chandler, House Tuscaloosa
  • Constance Childs, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Middle
  • Portia Clark, City of Tuscaloosa
  • Michael Crady, Tuscaloosa County PARA
  • Dave Crutchfield, Tuscaloosa City Schools
  • Rob Donaldson, Bryant Bank
  • Tammy Farmer, DCH Health System
  • Stevi Gandy, Alabama Power
  • Cristy Gilliam, Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation Inc.
  • Rachel Goggins, Saban Center
  • Baker Grant, Harrison Construction
  • April Hoffman, Tuscaloosa County Commission
  • Kristy Hunter, FirstBank
  • Amanda Ingram, The University of Alabama
  • Olandor Lewis, Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc.
  • Meagan McElroy, First South Farm Credit
  • Ashley McLeod, Shelton State Community College
  • Joseph Meigs, Rosen Harwood
  • Tonya Mills, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
  • Jaclyn Mixon, Hunt Refining Company
  • Amanda Nelson, Mark C. Nelson, P.C.
  • Yolanda Page, Stillman College
  • Neena Palmer, Palmer Interactive LLC
  • Jabaree Prewitt, WVUA 23
  • Delana Roe, Right Space Commercial
  • Dana Rosengard, WVUA 23
  • Louis Shedd, Shelton State Community College
  • Cecily Simon, Alabama Credit Union
  • Emily Sims
  • Lauren Sommers, Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office
  • Corace Stewart, YMCA of Tuscaloosa
  • Tristan Tave, Bryce Hospital
  • Josh Thompson, The Westervelt Company
  • Alex Vick, The Westervelt Company
  • Corey Waldon, Five Horizons
  • Tomalisa Washington, American Red Cross
  • Bryan Whisenant, BankFirst
  • Taylor Whitley, Harrison Construction
  • Shirelle Williams, Alabama ONE
  • Raven Young-Myers, The University of Alabama

 

Participants in the new class will receive deep exposure to the issues, systems, and challenges shaping Tuscaloosa — from economic development to education, public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure. Graduates often go on to serve on boards, run organizations, or take public‑sector leadership roles.

More From Tuscaloosa Thread