DEMOPOLIS &8212; A Rural Alabama Initiative Grant awarded to the Black Belt Mayors through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University will bring Dr. Tom Harris of the University of Alabama to Rooster Hall on Thursday to present an interactive seminar on leadership called &8216;Leadership Essentials: Bringing Out the Leader in You.&8217;

The session is free of charge and is for residents of Marengo, Hale and Greene counties who are elected officials, business leaders, civic leaders, youth leaders or community leaders.

Kathryn Friday, with the Marengo County Extension office, said they expect to have more than 50 people in attendance.

Friday, who assisted with securing the grant to fund the program, said over $500,000 in grant money was awarded all over the state to boost leadership initiatives.

Mayor Cecil P. Williamson of Demopolis said she has heard Harris speak numerous times and the program will be highly interactive.

Williamson also said the session would be a chance to raise the level of leadership in not only Demopolis, but surrounding counties as well.

If you would like to attend the seminar, contact Kathryn Friday at fridakb@auburn.edu or call 334-295-5959.