Great community leaders don’t just serve — they build trust, create opportunity, and open doors for others to make an impact.

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama is proud to recognize Dr. Tamika Holmes, Founder and Executive Director of the Community Care Development Network, as the 2026 Outstanding Community Site Mentor of the Year. She was nominated by 2025-26 Fellow, Shanquell Dixon, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to both her community and the next generation of changemakers.

Community site mentors are at the heart of the Schweitzer Fellowship experience, providing Fellows with real-world opportunities to engage directly with communities, understand local needs, and implement meaningful, sustainable projects. Through their guidance, Fellows are able to move beyond theory and into action — creating impact where it matters most.

Holmes will be honored at ASF Alabama’s Celebration of Service on April 11, alongside the graduating 2025–26 class of Fellows representing Auburn University, the University of Montevallo, Samford University, and UAB.

This year’s award is generously sponsored by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), a longstanding partner in advancing the development of future health leaders. 

 CCTS Director Dr. Orlando Guiterrez shared his enthusiasm for continuing the Center’s partnership with the Schweitzer Fellowship in recognizing exceptional mentorship among graduate students in health disciplines.

 “Mentorship is one of the most powerful drivers of growth in the next generation of health leaders,” Guiterrez said. “At the CCTS, we are deeply committed to advancing health and addressing the complex challenges facing our communities. We know that strong mentor-mentee relationships are essential to that work — connecting experience with emerging talent, and helping translate knowledge into meaningful, community-centered impact.

“The Schweitzer Fellowship reflects many of the same values we prioritize at CCTS, including community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership development,” Guiterrez added. “Supporting this award is one way we can continue investing in those values while recognizing the mentors who make this work possible.”

A Mentor Who Leads Through Action and Connection

For Dixon, Holmes’ mentorship was both empowering and transformative.

As the leader of a dynamic, community-centered organization, Holmes opened doors for Dixon from day one — integrating her into programs, events, and partnerships that expanded her reach and deepened her impact. Through these opportunities, Dixon was able to connect more effectively with her target population while implementing a child safety program designed to serve local families.

But beyond access, Holmes provided something even more critical: belief.

In the early stages of the project, when progress felt uncertain, Holmes offered encouragement, practical solutions, and a steady reminder to keep going. She mobilized her staff to support the initiative, connected Dixon with additional community partners, and ensured she never felt like she was navigating the work alone.

“She always encouraged me to keep trying,” Dixon shared. “When I felt like I wasn’t making an impact, she helped me see new possibilities.”

Holmes’ mentorship is rooted not only in her professional expertise, but in her lived experience. Having risen from a disadvantaged background to earn her doctorate and lead a nonprofit dedicated to community development, she models resilience, vision, and purpose in everything she does.

For Dixon, witnessing that journey firsthand was just as impactful as the project itself.

“She has shown me the power of caring and connection,” Dixon said. “The way she builds relationships with the people she serves — and with her staff — is truly inspiring.”

Holmes’ leadership extends beyond programs; it is reflected in the culture she has created. Her ability to manage a growing organization, delegate effectively, and empower her team has provided Dixon with a blueprint for her own future aspirations in nonprofit leadership.

Through her openness, warmth, and deep commitment to her community, Holmes demonstrates what it means to lead with both strategy and heart.

Her mentorship does more than support a Fellow — it inspires a legacy of service, leadership, and impact that will continue far beyond a single Fellowship year.