The 21 graduates of the seventeenth class of Dallas County Leadership didn’t need to receive a certificate or a trophy at Robinson Cottage at Sturdivant Hall to prove they were leaders.

They already were before participating in the yearlong experience.

The class, which included Selma school board members, government officials and other community members, met once a month to discuss different skills and how to help Selma.

“We do leadership development, which is working with a group, leaders that focus on the individual and service learning, which is finding a need in the community and doing something about it,” Selma Leadership class director Carolyn Powell. “There are programs like this all over the Black Belt and this is one of the oldest continuing programs there is.”

The graduates were presented recognition for their yearlong commitment and asked to tell a little about what her or she took away from the program.

Rufus Ford, one of the graduates from class, said the program was one of the best programs in Selma in terms of giving a positive outlook to the city.

“It lets you meet the leaders of different fields,” Ford said. “You are allowed to see the vision of the people who are in it for the long haul. The people who are at the top of their fields in Selma and can help us move into the future with success.”

Former graduates from the class have each chosen a project that directly correlates with a need in the city.

“Obviously one of the big needs in the city is the reduction of violence,” Powell said. “So class 9 created Crime Stoppers and a few of the newer classes like 15, 16 and now 17 have decided to raise money to assist them.”

Powell said the organization is now taking applications and recommendations for Leadership Class XVIII.