Cabarrus Today

The City of Concord has honored 59 residents for completing the Concord 101 program. The graduation ceremony, attended by Mayor Bill Dusch and members of the City Council, recognized these individuals for their commitment to understanding city operations and leadership within their community.

Now in its 22nd year, Concord 101 is a 14-week initiative that allows participants to engage directly with city leaders. Each week features visits to different city facilities, offering insights into the services provided by North Carolina’s 10th largest city. Participants also interact with community partners focusing on affordable housing, economic development, history, and tourism.

During the ceremony, Mayor Dusch and City Council members urged the graduates to act as ambassadors for Concord and share their newfound knowledge. The alumni of Concord 101 represent a diverse cross-section of the community, with many taking on leadership roles in neighborhoods or serving on city boards and commissions. Notably, Council Members Andy Langford, Betty Stocks, Jennifer P. Hubbard, and John Sweat Jr. are past graduates.

To graduate from the program, participants must attend at least one City Council meeting and can miss no more than two sessions. This year's class was among the largest ever recorded in the program's history; notably, 16 participants achieved perfect attendance.

The list of graduates includes Kristen Adamczuk, Diana Almeida, Drew Arrowood among others totaling up to fifty-nine names such as Lamont Savage and Steve Wainstead.

Concord 101 is held annually from August through November at no cost to participants. Classes occur on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. Further details about the program can be found at concordnc.gov/Concord101.