Friends of Selma is a national organization that supports greater opportunity for the Selma community while furthering the city’s unique civil rights legacy.

2024 Vision Plan

The City of Selma has set out to create a new, ambitious vision for the community and the people of Selma. Focused on improving people’s lives and the city we hold so dear, Selma 2024 is on a mission to realize the promise we made 60 years ago.

  • A “mini” master plan aimed at capturing investment and focusing momentum into immediate projects that benefit the people and the City of Selma.

  • Although the City and stakeholders have been preparing for the 2024 Vision Plan since early 2023, the plan is being developed from January 2024 through September 2024.

  • The 2024 Vision Plan will include a vision, policy recommendations, funding recommendations, proposed public infrastructure, and private development projects.

  • The Friends of Selma is engaged in and supports the Vision 2024 Plan, and we welcome others to become a Friend of Selma.

Friends of Selma

The Friends of Selma are a consortium of restless residents, business owners, designers, entrepreneurs, planners, developers, and city-making enthusiasts. We are both interested individuals as well as mission-aligned companies and organizations. Ultimately, we leverage our own unique relationships, expertise, and insight to help further Selma’s mission at this special time of the City’s remaking.

Selma Has a Unique History & Legacy

Selma Today

The unique contribution of Selma on the nation’s civil rights movement has been remarkable. Unfortunately the Selma community and the residents themselves have not been benefited from this contribution, and today are shouldered by habitual disinvestment, a lack of opportunity, and have not been met with the promise of a just and fair system.

  • For 18,000 residents there are only 7,000 jobs.

  • 87% of residents graduate high school, while only 20% of residents graduate with a bachelors or higher.

  • Average household income is $29,000.

  • 3,000 homes were destroyed without any ability to be rebuilt from the 2023 Tornados.

Friends of Selma Leadership

  • Susan Thomas

    BOARD MEMBER, CHAIR

  • Egbert Perry

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Kamala Harris

    BOARD MEMBER

  • R. Christopher Bramwell Jr.

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Kenneth H. Fearn

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Oprah Winfrey

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Lonnie Johnson

    BOARD MEMBER

  • Donahue Peebles

    BOARD MEMBER

Become a Friend of Selma

There are a number of ways people become a member of the Friends of Selma. Some offer their expertise in real estate, planning, design, grants, or partnerships — while others invest in properties — while others contribute philanthropically to Selma’s education. There are many ways to get involved and make an impact, and we’d love to hear how you best think you can be a Friend of Selma.