Leadership Lafayette, part of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, is inviting residents, business owners, and community leaders to share their insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the LOU (Lafayette-Oxford-University) community.

This year, the steering committee has revamped the community project portion of the class.

“We see this as an opportunity for Leadership Lafayette class members to hear from the community and see how different parts of the community view the LOU,” said Wayne Andrews one of the co-chairs of the Leadership Lafayette Steering Committee.

Leadership Lafayette, an eight-month program, equips participants from various sectors—including business, education, non-profits, and government—with an in-depth understanding of the community. Participants engage in monthly workshops, meetings, and team-based projects that explore the economic, governmental, educational, healthcare, and social factors shaping the LOU area.

Historically, the program encouraged residents to suggest specific projects for the Leadership Class to tackle. However, the Steering Committee recently reassessed this approach after noticing a pattern: many suggested projects were interconnected. For example, a proposed diaper bank highlighted not only a need for essential supplies but also broader issues of healthcare access, childcare availability, and poverty in the community.

Recognizing the importance of addressing these overlapping factors, the Steering Committee has shifted the community project section focus. The program seeks community input on broader challenges and opportunities rather than isolated project ideas. This allows Leadership Lafayette teams to consider interconnected issues and develop comprehensive solutions that create lasting change.

Through a newly designed survey, the committee invites community members to share their perspectives on the LOU area’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. These insights will guide the 2025 Leadership Lafayette class as they research, design, and implement community-focused projects.

“We’ve restructured the project process to encourage a more holistic approach,” said Sha’ Simpson co-chair of the Steering Committee. “By gathering input on broader challenges, we aim to help class members identify root causes and create solutions that address the bigger picture.”

The committee is particularly interested in hearing from residents, educators, service providers, and business leaders who can share ideas on how to improve programs, services, resources, and amenities in the community.

Community members can submit their ideas through the survey on Leadership Lafayette’s Facebook page. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.

For more information about Leadership Lafayette or to access the survey, visit the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce website.