After a year of work, the National League of Cities (NLC) will hold a trio of community meetings later this month to discuss the findings of their community assessment report.

An NLC team visited Selma in 2003, spoke with 14 focus groups and various political, social and religious leaders as well.

The NLC’s purpose is to assist the community in improving race relations and the quality of life in Selma.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. approached the council in 2003.

“My charge was to find an entity to help us develop a racial reconciliation strategy for our city,” Perkins said. “We identified the National League of Cities and they were excited about Selma.

It is an organization that is respected by the city’s leadership.”

The NLC team visited Selma multiple times in 2003, spoke with 14 focus groups and various political, social and religious leaders as well.

“These groups have shared their thoughts and ideas about where we are,” Perkins said.

The NLC compiled a 27-page booklet that takes a serious look at Selma’s race relations, educational situation and economic development.

The NLC will release their findings in a trio of meetings.

The first meeting will be Monday, June 21 from 7-9 p.m. at the Carl Morgan Convention Center.

The second will be Tuesday, June 22 from 10 a.m.- noon at the Council Chambers at the Selma City Hall.

The third meeting will be Wednesday, June 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the convention center.

The title of the meetings is “Helping To Create a Better Selma Community” and the entire community is encouraged to attend.

The team will listen to responses to the program, answer questions and listen to ideas on the best way to proceed.

“After the community of Selma has had an opportunity to review and discuss this report, and agrees to work together in a collective effort to move to the next phase, then the NLC will work with the community to continue the journey of creating a better Selma,” the reports states.

According to the report, the National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the U.S.

NLC serves as a national resource and advocate on behalf of over 1,700 member cities and for 49 municipal leagues whose membership totals more than 18,000 cities and towns across the country.

The mission of the National League of Cities is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance.