48 Leaders Selected for Leadership Tuscaloosa

A new group of 48 community leaders is preparing to spend the next nine months learning more about Tuscaloosa and how they can play a role in its future.

The 2026-27 class of Leadership Tuscaloosa has officially been announced.

Presented by Shelton State Community College and facilitated by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Leadership Tuscaloosa is a nine-month development program designed to prepare potential leaders to become more informed and involved in the community.

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Participants represent a wide range of organizations, including local schools and colleges, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, government agencies and businesses.

Jasmine Rainey, Director of Tourism at Visit Tuscaloosa, will serve as chair of this year's class. Claude Lake, Dean of Information Technology and C.A. Fredd Campus Administrator at Shelton State Community College, will serve as co-chair.

Rainey graduated from Leadership Tuscaloosa in 2018, while Lake is a member of the 2025 graduating class.

Among this year's 48 participants are Stillman College President Yolanda Page, WVUA 23's Jabaree Prewitt and Dana Rosengard, Tuscaloosa County PARA's Michael Crady, Saban Center's Rachel Goggins and representatives from DCH Health System, Alabama Power, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County Commission.

The class also includes leaders from organizations such as the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Community Service Programs of West Alabama, YMCA of Tuscaloosa, American Red Cross and Five Horizons.

Throughout the nine-month experience, participants will take part in networking and programming designed to expose them to different areas of Tuscaloosa County, its challenges and opportunities.

The goal is to develop a larger network of informed and responsible leaders prepared to serve and help move the Tuscaloosa community forward.