The purpose of Leadership Birmingham is to prepare and encourage its graduates to engage in greater individual and group action in order to contribute to the betterment of the community and its people. To that end, Leadership Birmingham brings together a class of 40 to 46 leaders each year from diverse backgrounds. Through a series of monthly seminars, these leaders come to know and understand more about the community and one another as they explore timely and relevant issues, and exchange ideas and points of view.

Leadership Birmingham seeks participants from all sectors of the community, including education, business, law, medicine, neighborhoods, social service, the arts, government, and the clergy. Participants may be young or old, male or female. The focus of the program is on looking at issues, opportunities, and solutions with the benefit of a group dynamic.