Oxford-Lafayette Chamber Announces 2026 Leadership Lafayette Class Participants

Nearly four decades after its 1988 founding, Leadership Lafayette continues to serve as Oxford and Lafayette County's primary pipeline for emerging civic and business leaders, and the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has announced the participants selected for the 2026 class, with Oxford-based in-home care company SeniorKare signing on as the program's official sponsor.

The eight-month initiative, which runs from January through August, brings together up to 25 professionals drawn from businesses, nonprofits, and public-sector backgrounds across the Lafayette-Oxford-University community. Participants gather for all-day sessions once a month, typically on the first Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rotating through site visits and speakers covering community priorities that range from zoning and public safety to health care and economic development. Beyond the monthly sessions, class members divide into teams to complete community-based projects aimed at solving current local problems.

Sha' Simpson, Director of Public Information at North Mississippi Regional Center and co-chair of the program's Steering Committee, described what the cohort can expect. "Leadership Lafayette empowers individuals to make lasting impacts by fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal growth," Simpson said.

Wayne Andrews, Director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and fellow Steering Committee co-chair, framed the value of the cross-sector composition. "The 2026 Leadership Lafayette class reflects the dynamic and diverse spirit of our community," Andrews said. "Bringing together professionals from businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial backgrounds, this program provides an in-depth introduction to local challenges and opportunities."

The Chamber credited SeniorKare owner and founder Phil Schmitt for his sponsorship commitment. SeniorKare provides personalized in-home care services throughout the region, and Schmitt's backing reflects a stated belief in leadership training as a community investment. As presenting sponsor, the company's support helps fund the program's competitive selection process, which is administered by a Steering Committee of past graduates who seek candidates representing a broad range of ethnicities, ages, professions, and community backgrounds. Demand for spots consistently exceeds availability.

The Oxford-Lafayette Chamber, which counts more than 800 member businesses and professionals, has administered Leadership Lafayette for each of the program's nearly four decades. Graduates have gone on to serve on nonprofit boards, in city government, and in senior roles across the Lafayette County business community, making each year's cohort selection a marker of the leadership development work ahead for the LOU area through August.