In 2018-2019, the Minority Elected Officials (MEO) hosted several community focus groups with residents and key stakeholders in Volusia County to identify and address key issues that affected the lives of the African American community. In 2020, the group agreed to create an umbrella organization that would bring together all sectors of the African American community, including the leaders of every organization, clergy, community activists, entrepreneurs, and millennium representation. The Volusia County African American Leadership Council was created.

Initially, the organization was operated in collaboration with MEO, however, in 2021 it became an independent not-for-profit, 501 (c)(6) organization. The core values are based on the acronym, UNITE, which stands for Uniting our Neighborhoods (Our Village) to Inform, Transform and Engage. The Council’s motto is “Be the Change”.

We are a Council of African American Presidents, Chairs, and Clergy of Volusia County Organizations, which includes, Sororities, Fraternities, Clergy, Civic, Social and Advocacies Leaders, with a belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.

We believe as leaders in our organizations we must be committed to working together to advance our community in the following: Educational Equity, Political accessibility, Economic Opportunity, Mental Health and Wellness Access, and Social Justice, We believe that Community engagement should include the promise that our community contribution will be respected and considered in the decision-making process.

We believe Community engagement promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and addressing the needs and interests of all participants, including decision-makers.

We believe that Community engagement must seek out and facilitate the involvement of those affected by or interested in the decision.
Community engagement should seek input from participants in how they choose to participate.

Community engagement provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.

Community engagement communicates to participants how their input will affect the decision.