Graduates of Leadership Dallas described the program and presented highlights of their service project at the Dallas City Council work session on June 2.

The program, in its third year, takes participants around the city to learn about government, nonprofits, businesses and local services. Shawn Shekel, a realtor and class member, said the cohort used donated goods and cash to stage coffee breaks for area school staff. “We raised a thousand dollars plus we got full donations from Karma Coffee, New Morning Bakery, Dutch Bros and Dollar Tree,” Shekel said. The group reported spending donated items and cash on refreshments for more than 400 educators and buying additional gift cards with $160 leftover to give to Hundred Acre Academy.

Leadership Dallas organizers said the class is intended as a community-engagement program rather than a narrowly defined “citizens academy.” The cohort visits municipal facilities, nonprofits and local businesses; speakers recounted visits that included drone demonstrations by police, a stop at health-care sites including Jefferson Lodge and Dallas Retirement Village, and nonprofit visits such as Heart Horse Therapy. Participants also cited small businesses and attractions they had not known about, including Focal Point and Grandma’s Attic.

Not all participants felt the program emphasized leadership skills. Laura Monroe, a class participant, said she learned a great deal about the city but added that she “didn’t know that I got that answer” about what it means to be a leader in Dallas and suggested the program could add more intentionally framed leadership instruction.

City leaders and program volunteers described the class as a networking and community-orientation opportunity. Program organizers said each graduating class helps lead the next cohort; Glenda Dunaway, a local nonprofit director and participant, said the relationships built in the class made it easier to work with other local event organizers and vendors. City staff and council members thanked participants and said the council would continue to support the program; Mayor Slack noted the council’s appreciation and encouraged feedback about adding more leadership-focused elements.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the presentation; graduates were invited to remain for the remainder of the work session or depart after the certificate presentation.