The History of Leadership DeKalb: 1986-present

“We Put Unity in Community”

1982 Charter Class of Leadership DeKalb

Pictured above: The Leadership DeKalb Charter Class of 1987

Founded by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce in 1986 to educate DeKalb’s corporate leadership about the problems and opportunities they were facing as the county was growing, the organization has focused on bringing together diverse leaders to help move the county forward.

As the program grew in size, Leadership DeKalb became an independent nonprofit organization in 1994. Continuing the goals of getting leaders from varying backgrounds and professions to work together, the organization has grown to more than 900 graduates. Each year, a class of about 50 people is introduced to a wide range of issues facing the county.

The 10-month curriculum includes a thought-provoking mix of program days including our county history, government, education, health, economic development, public safety and justice, as well as "nuts and bolts" experiences like riding a shift with a police officer and attending governmental meetings and budget hearings.

Many graduates attribute the Leadership DeKalb experience with giving them the connections and encouragement to move into higher levels of public service through their jobs and personal lives as well as running for public office. The program features a look at the county not available anywhere else.

As the organization grows, more and more companies become sponsors and active members in the leadership of the organization. Leadership DeKalb focuses on connecting its members with each other and the community. A concerted effort is made to have the members of each class be reflective of the county’s rich cultural and ethnically diverse population.

In 1988, members created Youth Leadership DeKalb, a program designed for high school students to learn about community, diversity, team building, economic issues, politics, education, and personal leadership. Participants are chosen from DeKalb students who show qualities of an emerging leader.

This program has graduated over 400 students, many of whom have returned to the DeKalb community with their leadership skills and they are in rewarding careers.

Leadership DeKalb collaborates with other organizations to create events of interest to the community, including political forums and our popular Eggs & Issues Breakfasts where the public is invited to join us. As a non-partisan organization, Leadership DeKalb welcomes conversations of importance to the well being and future of the county and the metro region. The organization enters its third decade of community leadership training with an emphasis on bringing the many ethnic and cultural groups closer together as we create a viable and healthy region and a better place for our children and their children.